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New Hull FC owner Andrew Thirkill says it's his full intention to work closely with Hull City with regards to their shared interests in the MKM Stadium.

The two clubs have shared the city centre venue since it first opened in 2002. But in recent times, the Tigers have been keen to develop the existing site and improve the council-owned stadium, which is showing growing signs of wear and tear more than two decades since it was first used.

City have been in regular discussions with the council over extending the lease which has 30 years left to run, to enable them to make ongoing improvements. Those conversations remain ongoing, but for Hull FC, their need is a little more pressing with their deal set to expire in 2028.

Hull FC's former owner, Adam Pearson, spoke about the possibility of moving away from the MKM Stadium if a suitable cost-effective way forward couldn't be reached. But Thirkill says at least for the next decade, the Super League club will remain at the 25,500-seater venue, and continue to work with the Tigers.

"There’s a new lease coming up for negotiations in 2028. David (Hood) and I have looked at the lease very carefully, Thirkill told a fans' forum. "It’s a reasonable lease at the moment; it’s fine. The leader of the council (Mike Ross) is very pro-Hull FC, and Hull City want to expand those facilities and spend a lot of money, but they want a long lease to do that, which is great, but part of the package must be that Hull FC is accommodated sensibly.

"I’m confident that will happen. I can't comment on a negotiation that hasn't physically started, but we'll get stuck into it. But I do see the future being at the MKM Stadium, certainly for the medium term. For me, we have to accept that's where we're going to be, certainly for the next ten years.

"I’ve got to build a relationship with them. I understand from Adam that they’re good people, and we’ll work collectively together to get the best relationship and deal for Hull FC."
Odd that Pearson and the Fc lot always said the terms of the current lease was stacked against them?
Does' continue to work with the Tigers' mean actually chipping in with any cash?
 
Odd that Pearson and the Fc lot always said the terms of the current lease was stacked against them?
Does' continue to work with the Tigers' mean actually chipping in with any cash?

‘It’s a reasonable lease at the moment; it’s fine.’

Hardly a ringing endorsement is it?

They’d be more likely to chip in some cash if any part of the deal was actually beneficial to them.
 
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I don't think FC where fussed about the pitch being changed.

Acun "Adam, we're having a new pitch laid in the summer, any chance of a contribution?"

Adam " nah mate, I'm not fussed about the pitch, we can play on a ploughed field, did you ever see the Boulevard? But I'll tell you what, I've got 10kg of grass seed in my garage, I'll drop it in tomorrow"

Acun "I don't think that will be any good Adam, I'm getting a team of professionals in"

Adam " oh it's top quality stuff cost me £70"

Acun "right, but the pitch is costing in the region of £1.5m"

Adam "ungrateful bastard "
 
Not a bad deal then is it? How much did the new pitch cost again? £1.5m?

The total rent paid by both clubs last year was £1,540,506.00, so they paid 45% of it.

There's attendance commission, catering commission, ticketing commission etc charged on top, so it's not a total number, but the pitch was paid for by the SMC not City (even though the SMC is obviously owned by City)
 
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The total rent paid by both clubs last year was £1,540,506.00, so they paid 45% of it.

There's attendance commission, catering commission, ticketing commission etc charged on top, so it's not a total number, but the pitch was paid for by the SMC not City (even though the SMC is obviously owned by City)
Which seems fair. So why was Adam Pearson constantly arranging meetings with the council to get a better deal for Hull Fc?
 
The total rent paid by both clubs last year was £1,540,506.00, so they paid 45% of it.

There's attendance commission, catering commission, ticketing commission etc charged on top, so it's not a total number, but the pitch was paid for by the SMC not City (even though the SMC is obviously owned by City)

Would it be correct to say the SMC is owned by the same owner as Hull City rather than the SMC is owned by Hull City.
 
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You've got selective memory. He was forever whinging about the terms of the Fc lease to the council and claiming it was unfair.

It's nothing to do with memory, the stadium is leased to the SMC for fifty years, they effectively own the stadium for the term of the lease, the Council can't change the terms until the lease expires or the SMC change it voluntarily (which seems unlikely considering it's currently rent free).
 
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The total rent paid by both clubs last year was £1,540,506.00, so they paid 45% of it.

There's attendance commission, catering commission, ticketing commission etc charged on top, so it's not a total number, but the pitch was paid for by the SMC not City (even though the SMC is obviously owned by City)

Also worth pointing out they were only responsible for 22% of the footfall through the stadium last year, 142K fans versus 506K for City.

So they’re actually covering more than their fair share of the maintenance costs given how much they actually use it.
 
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It's nothing to do with memory, the stadium is leased to the SMC for fifty years, they effectively own the stadium for the term of the lease, the Council can't change the terms until the lease expires or the SMC change it voluntarily (which seems unlikely considering it's currently rent free).
You believe what you like, its all history now anyhow because Adam Pearson has off loaded the club but believe me he was was under the illusion that Fc were being short changed over what costs they occurred by playing at the stadium. He was forever going cap in hand to the council, or anyone for that fact, who might be able to swing things a bit more in their favour. My point was the two new fellas who have bought them, on seeing the lease, thought it was a fair one.
Will Fc now start using the stadiums lounges for their player of the year wards and other fund raising nights or will they continue to hold them anywhere but because they didn't like the SMC taking any profits from the bar takings?
 
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You believe what you like, its all history now anyhow because Adam Pearson has off loaded the club but believe me he was was under the illusion that Fc were being short changed over what costs they occurred by playing at the stadium. He was forever going cap in hand to the council, or anyone for that fact, who might be able to swing things a bit more in their favour. My point was the two new fellas who have bought them, on seeing the lease, thought it was a fair one.
Will Fc now start using the stadiums lounges for their player of the year wards and other fund raising nights or will they continue to hold them anywhere but because they didn't like the SMC taking any profits from the bar takings?

I've stated facts, not an opinion.

The Hull FC end of season awards were held on Nov 24th at the stadium, so it looks like the answer to your question is yes.