What though, has made the fortunes of City change in London? The historic Wembley victory over Bristol City seems to have eradicated nearly a decade of winless trips there and amassing points in double figures is quite an achievement for any side from the 5 trips to the "smoke". Indeed you would have to go back 15 league matches throughout the divisions before you can claim to have witnessed City collecting a similar amount of points (all 10 points coming from draws), whilst suffering humiliating defeats akin to the 4v0 reverse at Barnet's Underhill along the way (at least the temporary stand never had any chance of collapsing that day as City supporters had no goals to celebrate).
Before this season the last victory in a league match came back in 1999, March the 13th to be exact, as a packed corner terrace of Tiger fans celebrated a 2v1 victory away at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road (Gary Brabin and David Brown scoring). Somewhat surprisingly, the win in East London was hot on the heels of a superb 2v0 West London victory at Brentford, courtesy of goals from David Brown and Colin Alcide, only 5 weeks previous. Two wins in the capital in the same season - good going, how far back do you have to go to get the 3rd capital success though? well see for yourself!
Prior to the Tigers victories in 1999, the last winning trip to London came at the same time Pato Banton had a No1 UK Hit with "Baby Come Back". The years box office hit belonged to Forrest Gump and the sporting world was dominated by the football world cup in USA, sadly without England. Brian Lara hit 357 for the West Indies during a drawn 5th test match with England, Hampden Park was re-opened after its total reconstruction and the world snooker championship was claimed 18-17 by Stephen Hendry, playing with a fractured elbow, against Jimmy White.
1994 was that year and on November 5th, Rob Dewhurst set the fireworks sizzling as his solitary goal claimed the points for the Tigers at Griffen Park, Brentford.
So all in all, City have managed to win the same amount of times in the capital in 1 season as it took previous sides 15 years to match. What do you think has changed their fortunes around? Do London clubs think we are no threat to them now it's the big league, I mean Arsenal and Chelsea must surely still be wondering why they have to play little old "Ull" for league points. Is it the fact that the Tigers now have a multi-national squad who see the capital as a reason to raise their own particular game? Did the lower league players simply get stuck in more as they were predominantly local lads come good?
Whatever the reason, we must all be grateful for the points return the capital city has granted us this term and with a potential trip back there for the FA Cup quarter final, all Tiger supporters are surely dreaming of further capital success.
Capital Punishment? Not for this Hull City side its not!