David Burn's reputation as a journalist has taken a sever blow. For Allam (at the press conference) to start talking about his bloody jacket...which he pandered along to...was cringeworthy. Also, I would suggest, to be taken more seriously he needs to drop his "Burnsy" nick name. I don't here people calling Nick Robinson "Robbo". The Allams have had an easy ride from the local journalists. It's about time one of them grew a pair and start asking some serious questions.
The thing is Burnsy is he has to keep the Allams on side so they don't lose contact with the team. I don't honest don't think Ehab had a clue what he was talking about.
I don't expect or really even like the aggressive approach light weights like Levy take to grab a sound bite, but he really needs to ask the proper searching questions, such as asking why the old man thinks it Hull City Tigers, or asking Ehab 'how' the name would generate income, because his answer seems to be we need to do something, and the name change is something.
What are the more serious questions? I think they have all been asked. I think the problem is that the Allams skirt around the answer or only present a percentage of the entirety of the situation. The Allams give an answer and it is usually unopposed by the interviewer for fear of damaging local relationships. I would love a Paxman or Piers Morgan style interview in which the interviewer doesn't back down.
I though Ehab was terrible in that interview, he didn't sound like he'd convinced himself, never mind anyone else. He's in awkward position, as he's trying to defend the indefensible and that's never easy. The obvious answer to all the questions posed was 'cos dad wants to'.
I seriously believe that had they got their way with the stadium, then the Hull Tigers situation may have never happened. My impression. Although it could be entirely wrong is. - The Allams wanted the stadium for free or a at a highly reduced rate. - The council rejected this situation because the offer was derisory and smacked of the Allams arrogance. - The council didn't want to sell the 'family silver' because it was an asset the council had and felt uncomfortable about that the public building would forever more be in private hands. - The Allams felt that they could offer a reduced amount because they would take away the financial liabilities of the council. Not to mention that the Allams felt they could expand the stadium and bring in much more revenue from hotels, casinos, shopping and restaurants that the council couldn't. Allams also thought that the club would be much more likely to stay in the Premier League should the own the stadium, expand it and increase revenue. This in turn would then be more beneficial to the council as it would free them up in other ventures, more visitors to the city and an increased profile of the city worldwide. - Allams became offended that the council wouldn't sell because they at heart were dong everything they where doing for the benefit of the City and the councils rejection came across to them as if they where faceless, corporate mercenaries. - Allams also pissed off at the incredibly high council rates as well. - Allams then get to a point of hatred with the council and turn their attentions to Hull Tigers. - Allams boast about how they never go back on deals and you only get one opportunity. - Hull City Council become willing to negotiate on the freehold and the Allams say '**** you, you had your chance'
I really don't get it. They've spent loads of money on the squad, even on future players - and yet they want out because they've found something they can't do. Can anyone pro name change please explain to me how changing the name will push the club forward beyond the possible position we could get now (preferably in two to three sentences). If I could understand how it would help, I'd have less of a problem with it.
But you've hit the nail on the head there - there is no reasoning for it other than pure, bloody pig-headedness. In Allam's snr's mind Hull City advertises the council (weird logic, but this is Allam....) so he wants to change the name cos the council wouldnt let him have his own way. An easier way round all of this wouldve been for him to offer, say £30m for the stadium complex rather than the zero pounds and pence he did offer, and the council might have actually accepted it. That way we'd all have what we want.
I'm no expert, but in business surely you have deal with people you don't like or don't agree with to get a good deal for your business? Pigheadness has to be one of the worse traits to have as a businessman surely?
I'd still like to see someone Pro Name change explain the benefit? Anyone? Bum Chin, although your explanation sounds plausible, is there anything to back up your point of view?
What I took from it was the embarrassment of him holding a "Tigers" programme as if to say we have always been Tigers, what the big deal. On the interview, very poor. No one has ever really probed with questions. Although I do remember a female interviewer asking questions which Allam Snr did not like, clearly just because she was a split arse.......I mean woman!
If we turn back the page to him buying the club then the development of the KC in his ownership would have pushed up the sale price of Hull City. The failure to get the freehold meant the only way to get his money back was to get into the Premier League, which is what he's done, at a cost. Having got into the Premier League he's realised that you have to spend more and more just to stay there and still the club is worth less than the loans. In the meantime he's discovered that he doesn't have to pay rent to occupy the KC. There is a rational business explanation for what he's doing. His £80 million is at risk and he's trying to protect it. Hull Tigers is another thing altogether and is about pride and nobody telling him no, not the City Council and not the FA. If they do he resorts to bullying, if I don't get what I want, I'm selling, I'm giving it away...
