Hull City's work ethic will be essential when the unbelievable becomes reality for Regan Slater next season.
Of course the Tigers team which won promotion to the Premier League on Saturday has its star quality, with Joe Gelhardt keen to join permanently when transfer restrictions are lifted next month, but perhaps even more important is their work ethic.
Sheffield-born midfielder Slater typifies it, but is by no means unusual in having it.
DRIVING FORCE: Hull City midfielder Regan Slater (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)placeholder image
DRIVING FORCE: Hull City midfielder Regan Slater (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
"I have spoken a lot this season about how good the group is," said Slater. "There's been characters in this group that pull us through week in, week out and it's not just one person. There's some real good lads.
"Even in the first half (on Saturday) when they had a lot of the ball, we knew that was going to happen but we had the better chances.
"We've done that all year anyway, we've soaked up pressure and been unbelievable defensively when we've needed to be.
"And we always back ourselves to make chances and take them when they come as well.
EAGER TO STAY: Joe Gelhardt (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)placeholder image
EAGER TO STAY: Joe Gelhardt (Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
"You saw throughout the season that we graft for each other and we will need to do a lot of that next season, for sure."
"It's unbelievable and we're going to Vegas as well," said Slater, in reference to the trip owner Acun Ilicali is laying on for the players.
"It hasn't quite sunk in yet. But I watch a lot of football and love my football and to say I am potentially going to play in the best league in the world is unbelievable."
Like any side new to the Premier League, Hull will need to add high-quality players to their squad, but it will also be important not to lose the stars they have.
After 18 months on loan from Leeds United, now Hull can operate freely again in the transfer market, agreeing terms with Gelhardt over a permanent move should be easy.
"It feels amazing to get back in the Premier League with Hull City, I love the club,” said the 24-year-old, who never convinced Leeds manager Daniel Farke.
"Let's see what happens over the summer, but it's pretty clear what I want to do.
"With the situation we had with the embargo, we were always at a disadvantage and everyone had written us off."
Hull would most likely have tried to buy him last summer but for the restrictions, and although Gelhardt was only on the bench at Wembley, a crucial semi-final goal – his 15th of 2025-26 – showed his worth.