Almost finished, just finished 08/09 season which is the first I can remember for myself, and it's such a spectacular read. I really hope eventually a second "The Decade" covering some equally remarkable events in the 2010s could be told, but who knows.
Thank you. It's difficult to judge this decade while we're still in the midst of it. It's been interesting, that's for sure, but obviously the Allams' handling of the club has hung over us all. The tone would be very different, that's for sure. I also know that if such a book is written it would need a big publishing house behind it, to handle the legal side of things as much as anything else. Everything about The Decade was done on an amateur basis, and I love that it's been produced independent of both the club and any publishing house (which means that more money goes to Dove House), but I was lucky that I didn't have to get into too many legal minefields (and I had a lawyer friend advising for those bits where I needed guidance). Never say never though...
Yeah there have been a few interesting bits where the players have given pretty blunt assessments - Parkin on Brown comes to mind, and then the whole team talk on the pitch at City which toe the line. I can imagine a sequel that would have to deal with Bullard's sacking, amongst all the other issues brought up with the Allams, could cause issues. Who knows, if the club is sold in the next few years, in 7-8 years time it might be a bit more practical..
Also - I sat up straight when Brown mentioned the Supporters club in Australia - back in 08 that would have been a completely different group! I wonder whatever happened to them..
I find the team talk bit very interesting in that some toe the line, and others speak so critically of it. I was warned by some people who I would consider to be worth listening to to avoid mentioning both the Allams and Bullard in the book. That obviously wasn't possible, but the Allams are maybe mentioned two or three times in the epilogue section - and in passing at that - and the Bullard stuff mostly kicked off after I close things, so it wasn't too problematic for me. I doubt that the book will really appear on the Allams' radar anyway. The club hasn't been in touch over it, anyway.
Yeah it's fascinating that there's almost equal number players who say it had no impact on the season, and others who say it absolutely did. Duffen clearly backed in Brown and so maybe he was a bit blind to the fact that it put a few players offside, so there was no remedy to that earlier (moving players on potentially and bringing new players in OR getting rid of Brown).
I have just 2 chapters to go, got to say one of my favourite things so far is how much credit Brownie gets for the play offs and Wembley win , from senior pros and staff and people right in the mix . Saying how he got everything right from tactics to how he helped manage the pressure in between games etc . I realise it may go slightly downhill for him now , maybe why I'm Hesitating reading the last 2
Stick with it! It goes downhill for him, obviously, but I think there's a recognition of what a fantastic job he did overall. There are a couple of people mention how he went from essentially a tracksuit manager to this very image-conscious boss with a large media presence, which I think is a pretty fair way of looking at it. But I'll always love Brownie. And boy does he love Hull City.
Been logging in daily for years to keep up to date, but this is my first post. Eight years after pancreatic cancer treatment (and still surviving!), I have just undergone an operation for an aortic aneurysm so don't get to many matches anymore (except around the Lancashire area). First saw City in the mid fifties and hooked ever since. Just wanted to pass on my appreciation to Richard for the perfect pick-me-up post operation. Only up to the 80's so far, but wonderful vivid memories brought back of the mid sixties especially and the Terry Neill era. Really looking forward to the rest of the book. A superb read and also proud to be helping Dove House. Many thanks Richard and best wishes to all Peter
Many thanks for all the good wishes. Must admit, as time passes, I can empathise more and more with those who are unable to stand for 90 minutes. Believe me, we are equally loyal and dedicated supporters after 65 years service, many of which were in a cold, draughty and almost deserted BP Best to all Peter
I get disappointed if I don’t log out 3 times a day. I aim for 5, but it’s not always possible. 5 x 12m log outs a day is an hour’s pay just for de-logging. It’s my contemplation room.
