Stadium on spot over photos of an RL legend

A COUNCIL leader has called on the company which manages the KC Stadium to reconsider its “appalling” decision to remove pictures and memorabilia of Hull FC and one of the city’s greatest sporting heroes.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th Feb 2013, 05:00 BST

Coun Steve Brady added his voice to the storm of protest over a picture of rugby league legend Johnny Whiteley being taken down from a suite named after him and other Hull FC pictures and memorabilia being taken off walls, saying he thought it was “a smack in the face of Hull rugby league fans”.

The Stadium Management Company says it is simply because Hull FC have chosen not to pay to display items in the stadium.

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Ehab Allam, who with his father Assem, owns the SMC and Hull City, was reported to have said any tenant could display what they wanted – as long as they paid the rate. It is understood Hull City paid a “modest” fee to continue having images and pictures of its club displayed around the stadium.

However fans – and Coun Brady – are aghast. Coun Brady said: “Johnny Whiteley is such a gentleman and a Freeman of the city and I think it is appalling the way he is being treated.”

He added: “Whilst we cannot interfere with the commercial operation of the KC Stadium, it was always the council’s intention to honour Johnny Whiteley’s contribution to rugby league in the city with a room named in his honour and displays of photographs and memorabilia.

“In the circumstances, I would like to ask Mr Allam to reconsider this matter out of respect to one of the city’s great sporting heroes.”

No one was available from the SMC to comment.

Related topics:Hull FCHull City