Hi Mr Bob. The book is an oral history of Hull City's fortunes between 2000 and 2010 (with chapters on the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, and a bit on the history before that). The story will be told season by season by the players, managers, owners, backroom staff and fans. All money made from the book will go to Dove House Hospice (no one will make a penny from this with the possible exception of retailers, and many people have done a lot for me free of charge). So far I've interviewed: Gary Alexander, Danny Allsopp, Ian Ashbee, Billy Askew, Nick Barmby, George Boateng, Mark Bonner, Gary Brabin, David Brown, Phil Brown, Wayne Brown, Ben Burgess, Fraizer Campbell, Chris Chilton, Leon Cort, Andy Dawson, Andy Daykin, Damien Delaney, Terry Dolan, Lawrie Dudfield, Paul Duffen, Matt Duke, Keith Edwards, Mike Edwards, Stuart Elliott, John Eyre, Craig ***an, Alan Fettis, Martin Fish, Caleb Folan, Ryan France, Kevin Francis, Richard Garcia, Mark Greaves, Geovanni, Stuart Green, Mark Hateley, Andy Holt, Brian Horton, Ken Houghton, Bryan Hughes, Stephen Hunt, Richard Jobson, Gary Johnson, Marc Joseph, John Kaye, Michael Keane, Dean Keates, Junior Lewis, Brian Little, Adam Lowthorpe, Dean Marney, Simon Maltby, Colin Murphy, Paul Musselwhite, Les Mutrie, Boaz Myhill, Jon Parkin, Phil Parkinson, Adam Pearson, Henrik Pedersen, Jason Price, Jeff Radcliffe, Sam Ricketts, Garreth Roberts, Don Robinson, Rodney Rowe, Sean Rush, Pete Skipper, Rob Smith, Brendon Smurthwaite, Greg Strong, Peter Swan, Peter Taylor, Michael Turner, Ken Wagstaff, Billy Whitehurst, Jon Whitney, Justin Whittle, Alan Wiley, Steve Wilson, Tom Wilson, Dean Windass, Raich Carter Jr, Roy Bly, Dave Burns, Mike White, Mark Robinson, Robert Crampton, Roy North, Phil Buckingham, Mark Herman and a number of fans. I'm hoping to add a handful more to that list (namely Jan Molby, Warren Joyce, Paul McShane and John Cooper, the latter of whom is in the bag, and the former two have had tentative contact made). As for an ebook I'd have to look into that at a later stage once I've worked out how much money I've got to get the book out. All I can say is hopefully yes, as long as it didn't risk cannibalising money made from the print book (which it shouldn't!).
Sadly, there aren't too many. Without wanting to go into too much detail, Colin's memory is not what it was since his stroke. He's a lovely bloke with a lovely wife but his recollection of many things just couldn't be used for a number of reasons, mainly the inaccuracies. Sorry! There is some terrific stuff in there though. Honest!
That's an impressive list, names and size, and obviously an awful lot of work, or more be it, a labour of love. Hats off to you and I look forward to the read.
The cut off point is the end of the 2009/2010 season. The story I wanted to tell is told by that point, and I genuinely don't have the funds or the legal resources to cover anything to do with the Allams. Someone might be able to tell that story one day - I hope they do - but they'll need a publishing firm with a lot of legal nous behind them. I doubt it will be some nobhead trying to cover for the fat that he's not getting to as many games as he'd like while his kids are too young to attend. That's a very long-winded way of explaining why there's no Tijani Belaidin the book. Or Ahmed Fathi, to save you asking.
Thank you. Labour of love is the perfect description. I love writing about City - I've been writing for Amber Nectar for years - and I was passionate about getting this era properly documented at a time when all those involved could still remember it clearly enough, but were detached enough from the club to speak freely. One evening about two years ago I tentatively rang Chris Chilton and conducted my first interview, not really knowing what I was doing. Thankfully Chris was (and is) an absolute gentleman and was utterly terrific. Since then I've been overwhelmed with how the book has snowballed into what it has. I didn't think I'd get half the names I've got (though that is, in no small part, down to former City media man Brendon Smurthwaite, who has worked tirelessly on my behalf). Not one interviewee has been in any way unpleasant or made things difficult. Most have asked how they can help with the project, and have assisted with other contacts and the like. Whoever said don't meet your heroes hadn't met that lot.
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/115979/Hull-accept-bid-for-Ricketts Brownie gives some more detail - appears he doesn't think he was consistent enough and wanted him to earn a new contract then Bolton came in having met the clubs valuation
I'd forgotten he'd had a stroke I enjoyed his TV and radio interviews cos they were different. No clichés, no football speak about 11 versus 11 etc.
You forgot to mention you wanted to interview Richard Appelby but he'd injured his vocal cords. Look forward to the book, Richard.
The players of that time can't speak highly enough of him. A genuinely loved bloke. When I interviewed Damien Delaney he got a bit emotional about Colin and told me the story of how he gave him the shirt form his debut for Ireland. I managed to get the two of them back in touch too, which was nice (Damien was a nightmare to contact as apparently he loses a mobile phone at least once a month and just buys another one, but doesn't tell anyone about his new number. Fortunately Palace have particularly lovely media staff).
Interesting read. Hopefully the Zamora deal comes off. Failing that, Antoine-Fortune would be a good foil for Owen too.
Obviously there'll be stuff in there that people didn't know before - nothing likely to make the front page of the HDM or anything (unless the revelations somehow get detained in a north African jail) but behind-the-scenes stuff that people didn't quite pick up on (for example, the mutual admiration between Peter Taylor and Justin Whittle) and opinions that perhaps haven't been voiced before (such as on the half-time team talk - probably the most interesting bit of the book). I can't give too much away, you understand, but regardless I think that the overall feel of the book is that of a celebration of some quite incredible times. As I said earlier. the stuff on Wembley in 2008 is just terrific to relive, as are many other games in that decade.
Sound cracking and just goes to show what the love of a football team does to an individual. If you would accept I'm happy to pay upfront for a copy as some kind of sponsorship. £100 or something?
I can't wait to read it either. That bit about it being a celebration of some quite incredible times reminds you how amazing things have been over the past 15 years and we should remember them for what they are. Things currently with the club get in the way of remembering the amazing times we had.
