Hull captain Lewie Coyle gave an emotional tribute to his late father after leading Hull City to victory in the Championship play-off final, before apologising to Sky Sports for swearing live on air.
The Tigers booked their place in the Premier League by overcoming Middlesbrough 1-0 at Wembley, with Oli McBurnie’s goal in second half stoppage time seperating the two sides.
It was an emotional triumph for Coyle, who is closing in on 250 appearances for his hometown club since signing from Fleetwood Town back in 2020.
Coyle had spoken to Daily Mail Sport in the build-up to the final about how football had been an escape for him after his father Chris’ sudden death in 2022.
Chris had been a beloved greengrocer in the city for more than 30 years, with Coyle having worked on the family fruit-and-vegetable stall as a youngster.
Coyle had said that his father had worked to give him and his three brothers – who are all professional sportsmen – a platform to achieve their dreams.
Hull City captain Lewie Coyle dedicated his side’s play-off triumph to his late father
Coyle lifted the Championship play-off final trophy after beating Middlesbrough at Wembley
Speaking to Sky Sports following the play-off final, Coyle emotionally spoke about his father and how he believed his support had helped Hull get over the line in the final.
‘It’s tough, there’s probably just one man I want to celebrate with. He’s not with us, but I look up to the sky every game,’ Coyle said.
‘I had a little look up there today and, yeah, he’s with me. I know he’s with me for sure.
‘The next best thing I have [is] the rest of my family. I have my beautiful partner, my little boy and all my other family.
‘My brothers and friends that have been there since day one. I don’t think there’s many people that probably thought I could captain a side to the Premier League.
‘And even saying that out loud, it seems a little bit wild. I’m just an honest, humble kid.
‘But there’s certainly one man that would have believed in me, and that’s my old man.
‘He would have been saying, “you can do it son, f*** ’em”.
‘I know I have sworn, I know I shouldn’t, I apologise but that was the way my old man spoke. He got us over the line today, I know for a fact my old man did it.’
Sky Sports reporter responded: ‘Well said Lewie, apologies for the language there, I know emotions are running high.’
Coyle, 30, has now been promoted twice with Hull after winning League One back in 2021.
The Tigers’ return to the Premier League after a nine season absence came at the end of a dramatic Championship play-offs, with Southampton having been expelled from the final over the spygate scandal.
Middlesbrough, who were beaten by Southampton in the semi-finals, had earned a reprieve but ultimately missed out on their chance to secure promotion back to the top flight.
