It's not too soon to go up, it's taken 104 years for Hull

Duffen is not afraid to admit his 30 dedicated staff, many of whom have spent their entire working lives struggling to keep the club in existence at a crumbling Boothferry Park, are gearing up for the big time.

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This is not arrogance, just pragmatism.

"In business you have to plan for success," he said. "In football there is superstition and you are not allowed to utter 'the next league'.

"I understand people might think the club has progressed too quickly but I don't think 104 years to get where we are now can be thought of as too quick. How long do you want to wait?"

Duffen knows many fans will be dismayed to hear such presumption.

It's not done that way in Kingston-upon-Hull, as he calls it. But then, they've never been in this position.

He knows because he spent six months incognito among them, introduced as Adam Pearson' s 'friend' while carrying out his consortium's due diligence after the former chairman decided to sell up during last season's relegation fight. To avert a crisis, they had to keep it secret.

Duffen, who made his millions as head of an internet media group, wanted a new challenge.

Backed by London property investors and West Ham season-ticket holders Russell Bartlett and Martin Walker, he set about finding a club.

They came close to buying the Hammers but the price rocketed.

After a cursory glance at Cardiff they were tempted by Hull City, a club which had been transformed by Pearson.

"It had potential to achieve Premier League status," says Duffen. "You don't buy a Championship club to stay in the Championship — that would be pointless."

Spurs fanatic Duffen fell in love, though he admits: "I was not 100 per cent sure where Kingston-upon-Hull was when I came up here 15 months ago.

"I've found there is a reluctance to sing loud and proud about the city, but just by being up in the play-off zone you feel a different buzz in the city and people are facing the sunshine. Promotion would give them something to shout about and change the city's self-image.

"This is my adopted city and I am not burdened with the heritage of under-achievement and don't feel nervous about being at this point on the ladder. All I see is the three rungs above me, not the 20 below. I think the same goes for my manager Phil Brown.

"I have made it my business to get involved with the city at every level and understand the enormity of the opportunity. I feel the burden in terms of my guardianship of the club, which is only as strong as the 20,000 emotional shareholders who feel they are rightfully owners.

"That is a fantastic heritage. I didn't come in blind without doing my research, because it would be disrespectful to the club and the city. Having a successful football club would be the single biggest boost for this city that anyone could imagine, bigger than any regeneration project.

"You would generate tens of millions in investment, but more important would be the morale boost. The city has not been very good at putting itself on the national map.

"Most southerners have no idea where it is. I love being part of a well-kept secret and there is a media reluctance to shine the light on Hull City. We are not a sexy club or a sexy city.

"That scenario suits Phil and me. I would rather be the hunter than the hunted and would much rather be off the radar like the silent assassin, so no one knows I am there until I am in their face."

Duffen's first act was to officially appoint Brown, Sam Allardyce's long-time assistant at Bolton.

He avoided relegation and this season has quietly taken Hull to fourth, with automatic promotion a reality if they win their remaining games, starting with QPR's visit to the KC Stadium today.

Duffen may be a businessman, but he finds the excitement intoxicating.

"Every now and again I pinch myself because since I landed on Planet Football my feet have barely touched the ground.

"The real eye-opener has been the dedicated people. They work beyond all reasonable requests and are the beating heart of the club. That's unlike any other business I've been involved in. No one who has not been involved in football will ever understand.

"The progress made this year is fabulous. Whatever happens over the next five games, this has been an enormously successful season that will pervade beyond next month."