Tigers fans believe FA will not be swayed by Allams’ threat to sell

The news comes after the club’s vice-chairman Ehab Allam published an open letter in a bid to reiterate their reasons behind their formal application to change their playing name to Hull Tigers from next season.

His father – Hull owner Assem Allam – announced controversial plans to rebrand the club last year, prompting a mass wave of opposition from a number of fans’ groups, including CTWD after formally submitting proposals to the FA in December.

The final decision now rests with the FA Council, who under Rule 3L can use its ‘absolute discretion’ on whether to approve a new name. The ruling will be announced on April 9.

Last month, CTWD made a submission to the FA, outlining their strong opposition to a name change in a meeting which lasted two-and-a-half hours.

A short statement said: “City Till We Die have nothing to add to Ehab Allam’s open letter in the full page advertisement taken out in the Hull Daily Mail by Hull City AFC.

“It does not say anything new, and the name change application remains in the hands of the FA, whose consultation process we trust and respect.”

In the open letter, Ehab Allam said that Hull needed to become self-sustainable as his family – who have ploughed in £74m since 2010 – had “nothing left to give” in terms of investment.

Two potential sponsorship deals with global companies are thought to be dependent on a name-change to Tigers. The letter signed off with another warning that the Allams would be prepared to walk away should the name change be blocked.

“We hope the fans understand that we cannot own or run a club where we cannot make the right decisions,” it read. “If we were denied the chance to operate the business in the way we feel fit, and that we firmly believe is in the long-term interests of the club and the fans, then we would have no alternative, but to offer the club for sale.”