please log in to view this image please log in to view this image Open Letter To Hull City As we enter the final stages of the 2018/19 season, it is an absolute credit to Nigel Adkins and his backroom team, that despite the exodus of players last summer, and the minimal level of investment given to him by the Club owners, that he has managed to be able to guide the team to remain within touching distance of the play-off places. It is extremely concerning therefore, to the players and most Hull City supporters that the future of Nigel and his support staff remains uncertain leaving himself, (and the fans), unsure as to whether their contracts are to be extended beyond the end of the current season. National journalists and broadcasters have stated their surprise in recent weeks at the uncertainty over Nigel’s future with the Club, especially as the commendable job he has done with the team in such difficult circumstances, which can only have enhanced his reputation within the English game and alerted proactive owners of competitive clubs to his services. Should a competitor club decide to make an approach for Nigel, it would be completely understandable that he would be tempted to leave Hull City and decide to ply his trade elsewhere and leave behind a backdrop of further uncertainty on and off the pitch. The decline in matchday attendances at the K.Com stadium this seasons has been alarming but hardly surprising given the Club’s continued use of the unpopular and much maligned Membership Scheme, that despite offering at times competitive prices for adult supporters, does not offer concessionary prices which has priced out less abled, senior citizen and junior supporters, the latter of which has been a major concern for too long in relation to the future fan base of the Club. Regarding the Club’s stance on disabled ticketing, in light of the recent victory over York Barbicans disabled ticketing policy, we ask the Club for an update on this important, current matter. The uncertainty over contracts beyond this season, is not confined to just the management team, yet again, the futures of numerous first team players are not clear as the season draws to a close and contract extensions not discussed. As a backdrop to the above, the prolonged uncertainty over the Club ownership situation continues to be a huge distraction to supporters, and undoubtedly the management team and players at the Club, which can only hamper medium to longer terms decisions that need to be made on an individual and collective level. It has been widely reported that there have been numerous parties interested in purchasing the Club since the play-off final victory over Sheffield Wednesday almost 3 years ago, none of which have reached a successful conclusion. The recently reported asking price quoted by Assem Allam of £50m is well in excess of purchase prices for Championship clubs over the past 2 years, (all of whom owned their stadiums), and bafflingly £9m more than the figure quoted last October. With any business transaction, there needs to be a willing buyer and a willing seller to conclude a deal. The inflated current asking price for a Club with minimal assets cannot be conducive to new owners making a successful purchase and is surely a matter that the Allam family need to review to a more realistic and achievable asking price. Unfortunately, the relationship between the Club and the Hull City Supporters Trust board continues to remain fractured following a decision by the Club ‘senior management’ to no longer formally deal with the Trust whilst our current Chairman remains in his position. Supporters Trusts are independent, not for profit organisations that are designed to enable a voice for fans and the local community, with an ultimate aim of fan representation on the Club Board. We have stated previously that we cannot allow the Club to dictate the structure and operation of the Trust Board, as this would remove our independence and impartiality in representing our members and the wider fan base. Despite the Trust being the largest and only truly independent supporter organisation connected to Hull City, we were not invited to the Club’s only ‘Supporters Committee meeting’ so far this season. We are aware that there is a further meeting scheduled by the Club on March 27th, and again it appears that we will not be invited to send a representative of the Board, (excluding the current Chairman as offered to the Club and endorsed as a fair and reasonable compromise offer by the English Football League, Football Supporters Federation and Supporters Direct), and therefore respectfully request through this open communication, that the Club address the following concerns: The future of Nigel Adkins and his backroom staff is resolved as a matter of urgency well in advance of the end of the current season, which we hope will see a suitable contract extension offered by the Club. The Club advises all supporters on the membership pricing for the 2019/20 season no later than the end of April 2019 to enable supporters to make an informed decision on whether they wish to commit to continue to make direct debit payments during the close season period and into the new season. (The Club stated in July 2018 that prices would remain at current levels until October 2018 and then reviewed although there is no evidence that this was ever conducted. We believe it is unfair and unjust for supporters to be expected to continue to make monthly payments without an immediate review) That concessionary pricing models are reintroduced for junior, senior and disabled supporters for both the membership scheme and supporters wishing to purchase tickets via the Matchday Card. There is an extended period for supporters wishing to obtain a Matchday Card at no cost. (The Club have refused to respond to our written concerns from August & September 2018, that 36-hour window of opportunity in July was unacceptably short and that this timescale was not promoted enough to enable supporters to sign up for the card) The Club issue a full statement in response to the aborted stadium evacuation during the half time period at the recent Birmingham City fixture on March 2nd, clearly stating what actions have been addressed with the Stadium Management Company and confirmation that all matchday staff have been re-trained and reminded of their individual roles and responsibilities during such a situation, which was not evident at the time of the incident above. As a Trust Board, we are elected to represent our members with their queries and concerns in relation to matters affecting them as Hull City supporters, and we will continue to do so despite the Club’s current stance of only offering of informal contact with our Secretary. Finally, we remain open to engaging in meaningful dialogue with the current and any responsible Club owners, whilst remaining hopeful that a deal to enable more proactive and engaging ownership for the Club is agreed in the foreseeable future. Hull City Supporters Trust http://hullcitysupporterstrust.com/open-letter-to-hull-city/
Of course, they have to try. But the reality is, such as this will make not a jot of difference. "Nobody tells me how to run my business. Nobody".
"Despite the Trust being the largest and only truly independent supporter organisation connected to Hull City" This isn't true. The HCSS has been independent for the past 30-plus years and will always be so. Our independence is very important to us, and we've resisted attempts in the past to impinge upon this. Would be nice if this could be rectified.
Absolutely A* for effort, however if your plan is to run the club into the ground, in a similar way to North Ferriby, then it unfortunately doesn’t matter how good, bad or indifferent the Trust’s statement is. Being totally shamed clearly doesn’t affect the Allam family. They appear to be shameless ****s, and it’s becoming clear that they’re now becoming thought of in that way on a more national basis. If I was them I’d be taking note of what has happened more recently to the Oysten’s. what goes around generally, no matter how long it takes, comes around. Karma is sat waiting like a Praying Mantis!
I believe Assem Allam (and Eeyore) will eventually leave Hull City in as parlous a state as it was when they took control. Income has been used to pay down the debt, rather than to improve the squad Vindictive? The Allams? Never!
Of course, many thanks, a senior moment from myself. The views expressed in my posts are not necassarily mine.
That tweet has unsurprisingly turned sour. Some supporters unhappy that the trust have not been invited again, some unhappy they don’t know who their rep is and some unhappy at some of the choices of reps that are known - namely the holiday winner.
