Hull City captain Lewie Coyle delivered an emotional tribute to his late father after leading his team to a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the Championship play-off final at Wembley, securing promotion to the Premier League. The right-back, who is approaching 250 appearances for his hometown club since joining from Fleetwood Town in 2020, then apologised to Sky Sports for swearing live on air during the post-match interview.
Match-Winning Moment
The Tigers booked their place in the top flight thanks to Oli McBurnie's goal in second-half stoppage time, sparking wild celebrations among the Hull City players and fans. It was a dramatic end to a tense final, with both sides having chances before McBurnie's late strike decided the contest.
Coyle's Emotional Interview
Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, Coyle fought back tears as he spoke about his father Chris, who passed away suddenly in 2022. '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 30-year-old continued: '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.'
Apology for Swearing
Coyle then apologised for using strong language during his emotional tribute, explaining it reflected his father's personality. '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,' Coyle added.
Sky Sports reporter responded: 'Well said Lewie, apologies for the language there, I know emotions are running high.'
Background: A Family of Sportsmen
Coyle had spoken to Daily Mail Sport before the final about how football had been an escape for him after his father's sudden death. Chris Coyle was a beloved greengrocer in Hull for more than 30 years, and Lewie worked on the family fruit-and-vegetable stall as a youngster. Coyle said his father worked hard to give him and his three brothers—all professional sportsmen—a platform to achieve their dreams.
Promotion Double
Coyle, now a two-time promotion winner with Hull after also winning League One in 2021, lifted the play-off trophy at Wembley. The Tigers' return to the Premier League after a nine-season absence came at the end of a dramatic Championship play-off campaign, which saw Southampton expelled from the final over the spygate scandal. Middlesbrough, who had been beaten by Southampton in the semi-finals, earned a reprieve but ultimately missed out on promotion.
