My first impressions of Acun Ilicali
A FAIRLY uneventful Wednesday afternoon in the middle of the international break came to life when at shortly after 4pm, the phone started ringing with a call from Turkey.
Naturally cynical and most definitely curious, I cautiously answered to be greeted by a chirpy chap on the other end of the line, who introduced himself as “Acun” – it took a moment for it to register that the man trying to buy Hull City was on the other end of the line and was not some elaborate wind-up from one of my colleagues.
‘Hello Barry, this is Acun, how are you?’ – One of the more surreal phone calls I’ve taken in what’s been a quite fascinating season and a bit covering the Tigers, needless to say I tuned in quickly to what was a hugely important call.
It’s been a long road in trying to entice one of Turkey’s most famous sons to open up either publicly or privately about a deal to buy the club, but in this lengthy exchange, Ilicali was open and direct about his desire to buy the club, and why Hull City above others, possibly more fashionable ones.
To British observers, Ilicali may not be too much of a household name, but in his home country, the 52-year-old father of four daughters is something of a megastar, the sort of celebrity that cannot walk down the street in Istanbul without being stopped for pictures or autographs - he has the best part of 20 million followers on social media for those who value such things.
A meal out that you and I would take for granted is something of a military operation, such is the focus and scrutiny on the former football journalist.
Why does this matter, I hear you ask?
Well, it does, it gives context to a man who is well respected in Turkey and across that particular region, one who has been successful in business throughout a life which football is fundamental to, and while many on these shores may be sceptical, he has substance.
Ilicali is a man who loves his football, an avid fan of Turkish giants Fenerbahce even playing a role in Mesut Ozil’s move from Arsenal to the Istanbul-based club.
Having previously invested in Dutch Eredivisie club Fortuna Sittard, Ilicali but opted to move away in search of an English club which pricked his enthusiasm, and
along came the Tigers at just the right time.
Described as “a very successful businessman and very passionate about football” by a former colleague, his desire to be involved in English football has been a longterm plan, this isn’t a fad.
Hull City for him, he says, is not about making money and adding to his considerable wealth, but to take on the dream of owning a club and making it successful and making those who are invested in it, happy.
Ilicali says he remembers watching the FA Cup final against Arsenal, seeing Mo Diame’s howitzer to see off Sheffield Wednesday in the play-off final, and numerous games in the Premier League, particularly the sneering when the Tigers were top of the league.
It’s that spirit, that sense of togetherness which has inspired him to buy the club.
He is somebody who knows and understands football and watches an awful lot of it, and has seen 80 per cent of City’s games this season live, albeit on television – whether or not Ilicali can bring a passion for football and a businessman’s mind and unite the two remains to be seen, but you sense he has the in-built drive to do so.
There’s also an acknowledgement that the Allam family would only sell the club to somebody they thought had its best interests at heart, one they could trust to look after it and take it on, they feel he’s the man to do that.
While Ilicali is yet to spend much time in the area, he’s already enchanted with it so too the welcome he received from locals on his trip to the city in
May, and tells me his biggest desire is to make the people proud and to put smiles on their faces, to give them a club to be proud of.
Despite the strength of feeling from supporters towards the Allam’s, Ilicali is keen to praise the way in which the sale has been dealt with, full cooperation throughout and a desire from the family to get the best deal for the club - despite recent events, they want to leave a positive legacy.
Though City’s accounts may show a near-£40m deficient owed to the family, the club is actually in rude financial health, certainly compared to many other Championship clubs and it’s this status which is one of the key reasons Ilicali was drawn to the Tigers.
Yes, he’s been impressed by the club, the stadium, he loves the colours and the club emblem, the passion of the supporters, the city, but he likes the financial state of it and the potential it brings.
He speaks of his desire to bring the community together, to build a strong and successful future for the football he will be paying the best part of £30m.
There will be caution from the locals, there will be scepticism and that’s entirely natural.
Ilicali appears to be a man of sincerity, one who talks like somebody with a genuine desire to work hard and bring success back to the club and you wouldn’t back against it happening.
He just needs the keys, and then the floor will be his.