Hull City captain Lewie Coyle discussed the emotional bond between himself and John Egan following the club’s historic promotion at Wembley last May.
The two defenders developed a close relationship after joining forces at the MKM Stadium, forged partly through shared personal tragedy.
Both players lost their fathers at different stages of their lives, and they marked that loss together on the Wembley pitch after securing promotion to the Premier League.
Coyle’s father, Chris, who was well known throughout the Hull area, passed away four years ago.
Egan’s father, John Egan Snr, was a celebrated Gaelic footballer in Ireland and died in 2012 when Egan was a teenager.
Following the promotion, the pair pointed skyward in tribute to both men.
During the interview, Coyle described the connection between himself and Egan as remarkable, citing their similar characters and shared values.
He noted that while both players experienced profound loss, Egan’s response to losing his father at a young age and building the career he has was particularly admirable.
The Hull captain highlighted Egan’s importance to the squad throughout the campaign, recalling how the centre-back called a team meeting before the crucial match against Norwich City when the club’s play-off qualification remained uncertain.
Coyle revealed that both he and Egan addressed the group during that meeting, with players subsequently commenting that they felt prepared to give everything in pursuit of their objective.
Egan reportedly told Coyle that he would ensure the captain ascended the famous Wembley steps if they reached the play-offs.
Following victories over Millwall in the semi-final, Egan reminded Coyle of that promise before they completed the promotion together.
The moment of tribute at the end of the match symbolised their connection with their late fathers.
After the trophy presentation, the squad celebrated with approximately 40,000 supporters gathered at Queen Victoria Square during intense heat on the Bank Holiday Monday.
Coyle reflected on the significance of delivering top-flight football to his home city.
He described the open-top bus procession through familiar streets as particularly meaningful, encountering numerous acquaintances and witnessing the unified joy across the community.
Owner Acun Ilicali pledged to fund a Las Vegas trip for the squad if they achieved promotion.
Coyle noted that the players conducted themselves appropriately during the stay and described it as an opportunity for the group to celebrate collectively.
He expressed confidence that such shared experiences forge lasting bonds among teammates.
Coyle suggested that the true magnitude of their accomplishment might only become fully apparent once his playing career concludes.
During a post-season trip to Portugal with his family, he reviewed photographs from Wembley and the subsequent events, which reinforced his awareness of what the club had accomplished.
The club’s achievement demonstrated how strong relationships within the squad can drive collective success, particularly during challenging periods throughout the season.
Despite numerous difficult moments, the character within the dressing room enabled the team to maintain focus and ultimately achieve their objective.