It was only 13 years ago that Hull City were facing Swansea City in English football's fourth tier. Both had flirted with extinction before moving on to shiny new grounds that would become the springboard to reach scarcely believable new heights.
They meet again as Premier League equals this weekend but Hull City supporters will be fearing another backward step if they are unable to beat an opponent whose progress once mirrored their own.
The Tigers are nearing make-or-break territory in their survival fight. The 1-1 draw with Burnley was followed up by a 3-1 loss at Leicester City, ensuring two games that were supposed to offer an escape route from the bottom three cut Marco Silva's men four points adrift of safety.