What City fans want in the club’s new era
ON HIS PLATE
Change is in the air at Hull City as the club sits on the precipice of a new era. The Tigers are on the verge of a multi-million pound takeover with Turkish businessman and media heavyweight Acun Ilicali in the final stages of completing a deal which will bring an end to the 11 year ownership of the Allam family.
Takeovers in any business bring with them much upheaval and in football, and in City’s case, stability on the pitch is crucial at such a critical juncture of their Championship season.
To gauge the feeling of City fans who have now been desperate to see their club sold since 2014, Hull Live urged them to get in touch and highlight the issues they deem most important for the new custodians of their football club to tackle head on.
For all the talk of what may or may not happen with Grant Mccann’s position, does he stay or does he go, what business will be conducted in January both in and out of the MKM Stadium and the removal of peas from the Balti pies, there has been one familiar theme running through supporter discussions.
And that centres on their desire to see the owners work closely with the club’s supporters and wider community, to build a relationship with those who feel like they’ve been ignored for a lengthy period of time under the current regime.
Among almost 2,000 responses, the clear message to Ilicali and his team of staff preparing to descend on the MKM Stadium is to think of the supporters, to work with them and make them feel valued, that their views and opinions matter as much as the money they spend through ticket sales, buying shirts and the posh burgers on the concourse.
Scrapping the current membership scheme was one of the most popular requests from fans, something which has proved controversial ever since the Allam family opted to introduce it.
Even without the ability to watch live football for 18 months, the MKM Stadium has remained less than half full for every City home game, so boosting attendances was another key priority, as was engaging a young fan base and making games more accessible for disadvantaged supporters.
Work with us, appreciate us, make us feel valued and show us you care was the overriding message.
Early indications from Ilicali and his camp will be music to the ears of supporters, with the businessmen acutely aware of the strength of feeling around the city and its fanbase and a willingness to engage it.
There’s an intense desire to actively encourage the next generation of supporters to follow the Tigers live and in the flesh, while also ensuring there’s a pricing structure which fits in with the needs of the local area so as many fans as possible can see their team play, and those who can’t, to still feel involved and part of the club.
Numerous replies to the survey also highlighted a desire to see the club re-establish a working relationship with the local media, including striking a deal with BBC Radio Humberside over commentary rights with the current stance preventing many supporters from being able to follow City games and restoring Hull
Live’s access after almost two years - giving fans greater coverage than they currently receive.
Ilicali will have plenty on his plate once the keys to the club have been handed over by the Allam family, but one thing he can count on from the start is the goodwill of the supporters, and as long as they feel part of it, the relationship will be one to benefit the Tigers.
ILICALI WILL HAVE PLENTY