Leeds United gamble paid off big time for Hull City and former chief: View | OneFootball

Adam Pearson transformed Hull City's fortunes in the 2000s

Throughout Hull City's history, there have been plenty of 'sliding doors' moments.

And with the club in the midst of an eight-year spell in Division Three - now League Two - in February 2001, yet another of those was to follow, but one which would have a profound impact on the club's subsequent trajectory.

The Tigers had been close to extinction on several occasions, including being locked out of Boothferry Park altogether. But, all was to change when Leeds United commercial director, Adam Pearson, swapped the glitz and glamour of UEFA Champions League nights at Elland Road for a sleeping giant languishing in the fourth tier.

Adam Pearson's backing was the catalyst for Hull City's progression

The club's misfortunes and mismanagement by the time Pearson took over in the boardroom had been well-documented, with City reportedly in debts of approximately £1.5m.

On the pitch, City were under the guidance of a high-profile name in the form of former Aston Villa and Leicester City boss Brian Little, who had managed to galvanise a squad of workhorses, including Justin Whittle and Gary Brabin - staples of the 1999 'Great Escape' side - alongside Jamaican duo Theo Whitmore and Ian Goodison into Play-Off contention just as the new chairman arrived in March 2001.

Pearson recalled his switch across Yorkshire many years later, stating how much of a risk it was despite the club's untapped potential.

"Dropping down from Leeds – then in the Champions League – to Hull, who were in terrible trouble in League Two, was a hell of a gamble. I was a shareholder in Leeds, as well as in Sports Internet, and my career at that point was obviously moving in the right direction. It was a big risk to drop down, but I got a lot of persuasion from Pat Doyle and Ian Blakey, and I could see the potential of the club.”

Unfortunately, the Tigers were unable to mark their off-field sea change with a promotion, as they were defeated 2-1 on aggregate by Leyton Orient in the Play-Off semi-finals.

A season of tumultuous fortunes followed, as the Tigers were among the early-season pace setters despite a summer of high turnover that saw the likes of Lawrie Dudfield, Gary Alexander, David Beresford and Julian Johnsson among others, join the club.

But, Little was sacked in February 2002 despite City sitting fifth in the league, before being replaced by Jan Molby, a decision which Pearson has admitted was wrong.

Adam Pearson's October 2002, Peter Taylor call was vital for the Tigers

As well as the decision to build the MKM Stadium at a reported cost of £44m by the local council, the most crucial decision Pearson made was to install Peter Taylor into the hotseat in place of Molby back in October 2002.

Taylor arrived just two months before the stadium switch with the club sat in 18th place after a stuttering start to the 2002/03 campaign, the first season at the club also for future cult heroes and legends such as Ian Ashbee, Stuart Elliott and Stuart Green.

After a 13th-place finish, the first full season at the new stadium saw City romp to a first promotion since 1985 with numerous high-scoring victories, in no small part down to the likes of Elliott and new signings in the form of Ben Burgess, Danny Allsopp and Jason Price.

Andy Dawson, Boaz Myhill and Ryan France would also join the club that season, before going on to represent the club in all four divisions alongside 'Captain Marvel', Ashbee.

City finished 2nd behind Doncaster Rovers, before securing the statement signing of Nick Barmby in the off-season - another decision which would prove inspired as City recorded memorable victories such as a 4-2 success at Hillsborough over Sheffield Wednesday as they recorded back-to-back promotions and a first second tier stint since 1991.

“The supporters played a huge part,” he added.

“From day one, they just got right behind the club and they got this momentum going. We got off to a couple of false starts, but then Peter Taylor eventually got hold of the squad and, with Colin Murphy, really sorted it out.”

In Taylor's final season, the clear focus was to consolidate the club's position in the Championship, which was achieved with flying colours and an 18th place finish.

However, the manager who achieved cult hero status in the dugout for his starring role in the club's transformation would depart for Crystal Palace in 2006, being replaced by Phil Parkinson.

“At club level as a manager, my best experience would be Hull City because they were 18th in League Two when myself and my staff took over," the former boss has since placed on record.

“We ended up getting them a couple of promotions and building a lovely training ground and selling some players to make the club more secure."

“Everything about the Hull job was a tremendous experience and one I am very proud of," the one-time England caretaker boss stated.

The appointment of Taylor is what many fans believed was the catalyst for the club's on-pitch success, as Hull would go from League Two mediocrity to the Premier League for the first time in just five years, proving that Pearson's initial risk had paid off to move the club forward.