By Andrew Warshaw
December 2 – The acrimonius dispute over the name of English Premier League club Hull City has turned even uglier with owner Assem Allam telling his critics they “can die as soon as they want” and describing some of them as “hooligans”, in response to the Hull fans chant ‘City till we die’.
Hull fans have formed a campaign group called City Till We Die and Allam made his comments in response to protests about his plans to change the club’s name.
The Egyptian-born businessman, who moved to the region 45 years ago and took over in 2010, infuriated some supporters with his idea to rebrand the club Hull Tigers. But he told the Independent newspaper: “They can die as soon as they want, as long as they leave the club for the majority who just want to watch good football.”
Allam first announced in August the company name had changed from Hull City AFC to Hull City Tigers, ending part of a name which has been in effect since their formation in 1904.
He has pumped tens of millions of pounds into the cash-strapped club to save them from going bust in recent years and insists the re-branding to Tigers would make it easier to market around the world.
Fans at the last two home games have made their feelings clear but Allam said: “How can they call themselves fans, these hooligans, this militant minority, when they disturb and distract the players while taking away the rights of others to watch the football, and of companies who have paid good money for advertising?”
City Till We Die hit back at Allam’s remarks. “Thankfully, hooliganism at football in this country is now exceedingly rare,” the group said in a statement.
“The intemperate suggestion that singing “City Till I Die” or holding a banner with Hull City’s name on it constitutes disorder is ill-informed, unhelpful and will be considered by many to be offensive.
“We reiterate our advice to all City fans to continue their fine support for our fantastic team while positively expressing a preference for our current name.”
When Hull were relegated from the Premier League in 2010 they had debt of about £35 million.
Allam, who has already offered to refund season ticket holders who are unhappy with the name changes, says he will walk away if the criticism of his proposals continues.
“I’m a simple man. Do they want me to stay? If it’s, ‘No thank you’, fine, in 24 hours the club is for sale, I do not put in one more pound and hopefully things happen quickly.”
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