Don't get smug.. infer can be used to mean "suggest or hint". Read the sentence again, substitute "infer" for "suggest" and then get back to me with a full apology.
Upon reflection I believe that he did indeed mean it as "commonplace" or "too many". However, the general mis-interpretation (and not just by myself) doesn't support your claim that it was a clear statement.
Yes. When we were in division 4 did people start supporting other clubs? Maybe less people turned up but I don't think people transferred their support.
I was born in Hull and have supported City since 1963-64. I didn't decide to travel a few minutes on the tube and start going to Stamford Bridge - although I will do next Sunday.
Suspect you got this from the following. So I'm still smug. Usage note Infer has been used to mean “to hint or suggest” since the 16th century by speakers and writers of unquestioned ability and eminence: The next speaker criticized the proposal, inferring that it was made solely to embarrass the government. Despite its long history, many 20th-century usage guides condemn the use, maintaining that the proper word for the intended sense is imply and that to use infer is to lose a valuable distinction between the two words.
Yes, I think you are completely right. As you say, fewer people turned up, but even those that didn't still "supported" Hull City as "Their Team", rather than becoming (perish the thought) TWS fans. People still do have some loyalty.
As I recall it there was even a campaign to restore the name "Marathon" - Though I suspect it was orchestrated by Mars just to drum up more sales of their own product, much like Esso got rid of the "Tiger" in your tank and then introduced a campaign to restore it. Pretty cynical, but also pretty successful.
Peter, My own feeling, and I know and respect that you are diametrically opposed, is that if the name changes the fans will continue to support the club, we'll still refer to it as "City" within our own fan group, and Hull or "The Tigers" to outsiders. I think the sponsorship and overseas image will improve. However, we'll never know, because if the campaign to retain the name (your position) succeeds, we'll never get to test it out. If the name change does take place (my position) we'll never know if any success or failure is down to the name or otherwise. On balance it is perhaps best if we simply adopt our own stance without squabbling and internal name calling. Either way we'll get enough of that from fans of other clubs who want to see us fail what ever we are called (TWS, Leicester, Celtic et cetera).
I don't think it will affect the support very much. I think the fans opposed to the name change should lobby the Premier League and FA. I agree there's little point arguing among ourselves but once there is something else to talk about there will be less discussion on here.
Which begs the question.. with our club thrust into the media spotlight by this name change, is all publicity good publicity? We are getting talked about, people & investors sit up & maybe research the club.. we hate it deep down, but the world of brands and marketing dictates top level sport. In 1990 when Marathon changed to Snickers in the UK, there was a period for about 18 months where at first Marathon was accompanied by the new name Snickers on the wrapper but Snickers was in smaller lettering & then vice versa.. thus a smooth transition was accomplished. It was also accompanied by a TV ad which showed foreigners asking for Snickers in British shops & the shopkeepers not understanding.. In 2004 the launch of the energy bar named Snickers Marathon caused some confusion.. This is why I fear that Hull Tigers will replace Hull City Tigers eventually.. They've left in City to appease the locals, foreign investors and foreign fans won't have the same emotional attachment so there's little risk in this name change abroad. And as mentioned earlier, success on the pitch will ease the pain.. or at least that's what the Allams hope/expect.. Plus new fans buy merchandise.. they don't care too much about the old guard, they die out.. kids in Hull will probably like Hull Tigers.. it sounds American, glitzy and fashionable..
I'll grant you your right to smugness if you agree in principle that I may use the word 'infer' & that I do humbly accept the preferable option was 'imply'.
If it's such a good idea why doesn't every organisation do it every few years? In fact, football clubs change their kit every year so why not change their name every year? I think you are confusing publicity with ridicule.
The civil war in Syria is generating a lot of publicity. There's no such thing as bad publicity, right?
Wouldn't you have thought,they'd have reacted to the criticism by now ? I know they're not going to give us a groveling apology,and back down so easily,but considering the reaction in the media,and elsewhere,wouldn't you have expected something by now ?
