LIMPING with the pain of a calf injury but proudly wearing his winner's medal, Wayne Brown spoke of his joy at helping a second team to the Premier League.

Derek Davis

LIMPING with the pain of a calf injury but proudly wearing his winner's medal, Wayne Brown spoke of his joy at helping a second team to the Premier League.

Eight years after playing his part in taking Ipswich to the top flight, although he was an unused sub in the final, Brown was an influential figure in taking Hull City to the Premier League for the first time in their 104-year history.

Brown said: “Words can't describe it. I experienced it once before with Ipswich and that was magical, but this was extra special.

“I came here for success, no disrespect to Colchester but they were not in a position to challenge for anything and that is why I left.

“I was not anticipating it happening this quick as the manager had a three-year plan. But the lads have been magnificent and the longer the season went on the more the confidence and belief grew.

“The play-offs are a lottery but the mentality of the lads was first class.

“It was not a great game and probably not a great one to watch but we didn't come here to entertain.

“We were here to get a result which is what we did.”

Brown, who overcame a cancer scare while at Colchester United, has made use of a faith healer in the past, but it was a cortisone injection that got him through this time.

The 30-year-old ignored a calf problem to complete the 90 minutes and make a vital headed clearance from a Michael McIndoe free kick to keep Bristol at bay.

Brown said: “The clean sheet was extra special. I have been struggling since the Watford game and have not trained for the ten days. But we came here on Friday to look at the arena and I thought there is no way I was going to miss out.

“After playing 46 of the league games there was no way. I had an injection and thankfully I got through the game and we got the clean sheet.”

That came after a 39th minute wonder strike from Dean Windass which proved to be the winner.

Brown said: “What can you say about Deano. I think he came as Eminem (with his bleached hair) or something, but he was magnificent. What a strike - if some one had done that at international or Premier League level he would be raved about.”

Brown could be pitting his wits against the likes of Ronaldo, Torres and Adebayor next season, but it is a team nearer his Ilford roots that he wants face most.

He said: “I'm very much looking forward to playing in the Premiership again. I made the decision to leave a good club, and Colchester is a good club, but the chance came to go to a bigger club and be successful.

“First I just want to kick of my shoes, relax and enjoy the summer with my family.

“I was a West Ham fan as a kid and playing at Upton Park would be special after watching them as a kid growing up in Ilford. But then every game in the Premiership is special. That is where everyone wants to play.

“It is where the best players in the world there and hopefully I will get the chance to play against those players.”

Nor is he concerned about Hull 'doing a Derby'.

“You have to enjoy it and the only way to enjoy it is by doing well against the best.

“Hull have got a lot of money from this victory and it is up to them how they spend it. Survival will be something special to a give but the manager has brought in some very good experienced players.”

And Brown tips his old team-mate Jim Magilton to join him in the top flight.

He said: “Ipswich just missed out and when we played them last game of the season was probably our toughest fixture of the season.

“A lot of good players are leaving through the summer and they have to replace them.

“That said Jim and Bryan have done a great job and I wish them all the best.”

The win was the third promotion Brown has been heavily involved in after also leading from the back as Colchester United went up to the Championship from League One two year's ago.