TUESDAY POLL: Allam must consider quit threat as Hull name change blocked by FA

THE attempt to re-brand Hull City last night suffered a potentially fatal blow as the Football Association confirmed that next month’s Council meeting will be recommended to reject the plan.
Hull City owner Assem Allam (centre).Hull City owner Assem Allam (centre).
Hull City owner Assem Allam (centre).

Chairman Assem Allam wants to re-name the Premier League club as Hull Tigers in an attempt to increase their appeal to potential sponsors.

The move, when first proposed last summer, caused huge controversy in the East Riding with fans forming a ‘City Till We Die’ group to oppose the plan.

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Fans have voiced their protest by chanting their support of retaining the club’s identity 19.04 minutes into each game, the time chosen to mark the year Hull City AFC was formed. Now, the proposal looks to be on the verge of being killed off after the FA confirmed that their membership committee, which had been charged with investigating the matter and speaking to all interested parties, had made a “unanimous recommendation” that Allam’s plan be rejected.

The final decision will be made by the FA Council on April 9, just four days ahead of Hull’s

FA Cup semi-final against Sheffield United at Wembley.

Until that vote is taken, the matter remains unresolved.

However, the revelation that the membership committee has overwhelmingly rejected the plan means it is unlikely that Allam will get his way.

Hull, who have been sent written confirmation of the committee’s findings, will have a chance to respond with a new submission.

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Allam, who over recent months has been embroiled in a war of words with fans opposed to the plan, has previously threatened to walk away “within 24 hours” if he is not allowed to re-name the club.

Considering that the Allam family has ploughed more than £70m into the club since rescuing Hull late in 2010, such a move could have far-reaching implications.

Nevertheless, the FA’s findings have been welcomed by the Football Supporters’ Federation, who have praised the campaign waged by the club’s supporters.

FSF chief executive Kevin Miles said: “This is undoubtedly the right decision and credit should go both to the FA and to Hull City fans, who led a tremendous campaign.

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“The fans’ groups and fanzines who came together under the ‘City Till We Die’ banner have protected their club’s heritage and 110-year-old name with great dignity. The FA’s decision should

also serve as a warning to other owners – such fundamental changes to a club’s identity should not be made without the support of the fans.”

Allam reiterated his threat to quit the club at the weekend, but his son, vice-chairman Ehab Allam, said a formal rejection by the FA would not stop him pushing for the change in the long term.

Speaking ahead of Hull’s weekend defeat to Manchester City, Ehab Allam said: “The proposed name change is not about a quick win. It is a long-term change.”

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The FA statement read: “We can confirm its Membership Committee met on Wednesday (March 12) and has made a unanimous recommendation to the FA Council to reject Hull City’s request to change their playing name to Hull Tigers from next season.

“The recommendation, which came after consultation with stakeholders within and outside of the game, will be discussed and voted upon at a full FA Council meeting on April 9, 2014.

“Hull City are able to make a further submission to the FA Council in view of the written reasons, which they have received, before the 9 April meeting.

“A final decision will be made at that meeting. As such, the FA will be making no further comment at this time.”