March 18 – The ownership of English Premier League Hull City has been plunged into doubt after the Football Association announced it had been advised to reject plans to change the club’s name to Hull Tigers.
Egyptian-born Assem Allam, whose family has pumped more than £70m into the club, has threatened to quit unless his plans are approved.
Assam wants to rename the club, who play in amber and black and have exceeded expectations this season by climbing to a mid-table position after gaining promotion and reaching the semifinals of the FA Cup, Hull Tigers, dropping the word ‘City’ after 109 years in order to make it easier to market Hull around the world and give it wider appeal.
Hull’s fans have rebelled against the idea and the FA have now confirmed that its Membership Committee has made a unanimous recommendation to the FA Council to reject the request for a name change next season. The recommendation will be voted upon at a full FA Council meeting on April 9.
Allam says rebranding the club is essential in order to increase its commercial appeal to potential sponsors. In January he said he would walk away if the move was not approved. But the Football Supporters’ Federation has praised the fans’ campaign, known as City Till We Die, and believes the right decision has been made.
FSF chief executive Kevin Miles said: “This is undoubtedly the right decision and credit should go both to the FA and to Hull City fans, who led a tremendous campaign. The fans’ groups and fanzines who came together under the City Till We Die banner have protected their club’s heritage and 110-year-old name with great dignity.
“The FA’s decision should also serve as a warning to other owners – such fundamental changes to a club’s identity should not be made without the support of the fans.”
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