'My heart is with Hull City. That is why I had to quit my place on supporters' club board'
By Hull Daily Mail | Posted: January 04, 2014
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Chris Smith, inset, says he quit the board of Hull City Official Supporters' Club in smpathy with fans protesting against the plan to rename the club Hull Tigers
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Chris Smith, one of Hull City's most prominent fans, tells Kevin Shoesmith about his decision to quit the club's official supporters' club
HE WAS once the “face” of Hull City Official Supporters’ Club, fielding calls from the nation’s media during the push for promotion.
But Chris Smith, a fan of 55 years, is no longer a member of the club’s inner circle and he may even through-in his prized season ticket, because, he says, his heart refuses to allow him to tow the party line.
Until October, Chris – a retired town clerk – was the marketing and media officer for the club, which has branches in Hull, Beverley, Hornsea, Withernsea, Cottingham, Welton, and Driffield and Market Weighton.
A few weeks later, he stepped down as chairman of the Hornsea branch, which he founded three years ago.
For the first time, Chris, 64, lifts the lid on his decision to quit.
“I clearly was not on the same wavelength as other board members,” he says in a tone carefully chosen to convey defiance, but not malice.
“I felt I was closer to the fans than the board.
“I also felt they were too close to the club (Hull City), but that’s not a criticism.
“I understand that it’s a real dilemma for them.”
Chris is, of course, referring to the long-running saga over Assem Allam’s decision to rename the club Hull Tigers. The Football Association (FA) has promised to consult with fans, before making a final decision in time for the 2013/14 season.
However, some fans fear the FA will gauge reaction to Mr Allam’s proposal from the Hull City Official Supporters’ Club – a significant, but still only one, segment of the loyal fan base.
“How can you be objective, representing the views of fans, when you have ‘Official’ in your name?” says Chris, now an ordinary member of the supporters’ club.
“That’s the problem the club faces.
“It doesn’t want to rock the boat and lose any of the benefits that members currently enjoy, such as the player visits and discounted club kit and merchandise.”
Several weeks before the “City Til I Die” campaign gathered momentum, Chris says he approached Hull City Official Supports’ Club with the idea of selling T-shirts.
“I sensed the mood among fans and realised that we should be doing something,” he says.
“The T-shirts had on them ‘City Til I Die’ – the song City fans sing at games,” says Chris. “The board felt that they did not want to antagonise the club.
“The board felt it would be insensitive to go against Assem Allam.”
Other fans’ groups, including City Independent, Amber Nectar, Tiger Link, Tiger Chat and Hull City Ultras, have voiced opposition to Mr Allams’ name-change.
“These groups have all come together under the ‘City Til I Die’ umbrella,” says Chris.
“The only group that hasn’t is Hull City Official Supporters’ Club.”
But Chris, who watched his first game at Boothferry Park aged nine, said he knew where his allegiances lay.
“Unfortunately, Mr Allam does not seem to understand how attached someone can be to a football club,” he says.
“When I go to a match, I say, ‘I’m off to see City’.”
Last season, Chris earned praise among fans for denouncing “Draconian” police tactics used by West Yorkshire Police when City played Huddersfield Town.
He has also been a vocal supporter of plans to reinstate standing terraces at the nation’s grounds.
Chris says: “Football is a passion.
“The club entered the football league in 1904 – I have been supporting the club for half that time.
“In my opinion, a football club is like a listed building.
“Someone may own it, but you can’t do anything to it unless you go through the correct channels and consult properly those living nearby.”
Chris, whose father worked on the turnstiles at Boothferry Park, plans to vote with his feet if the FA agree to the name change.
“I would not renew my season ticket,” he says. “It would not be the club I have been supporting all these years.
“It would break my heart not going to see City, but how else do you express your opposition to something you believe is wrong?”
No-one from Hull City Official Supporters’ Club was available for comment.
I said it was TOW THE PARTY LINE...........
What the **** have feet got to do with it? toe? hahahahaha