Tigers are awarded gold status for match-day work at MKM Stadium

THERE was pride in abundance at Hull City on Wednesday when news landed that the club had been awarded gold status by the EFL for their work on a matchday.

For the second successive year, the Tigers received the highest possible accolade along with six other Championship clubs, earning praise from the EFL for how they attract and engage with young supporters and their families.

The crown is something to be proud of for a club that has worked tirelessly in building strong relationships with its supporters, something that is now being reflected in their attendances rising significantly.

More than 6,500 youngsters and their families from local boys and girls leagues attended the final two league games at home, and that’s something that will be replicated next term.

It’s a far cry from the days when apathy and frustration were the primary feeling coming from the supporters under the previous ownership, and while good work was being done previous to the arrival of Acun Ilicali, it’s now flourishing.

Attendances across the EFL are up by 12 per cent, but at City that trend has gone even higher with their increases just shy of 40 per cent up year on year.

The club finished with an average crowd of just under 18,000 for the season, but the final four gates of the campaign all saw crowds of above 20,000 with 23,432 watching the draw with Rotherham on April 1, the biggest league crowd at the MKM since the final day of the Premier League season in 2017.

Ticket prices continue to be competitive and there’s a growing hope the average will continue to grow.

At a time when clubs continue to come under criticism for a number of things, not least their treatment of young supporters, receiving national recognition is timely.

City’s matchday experience is what’s got them this crown, with no shortage of activities on offer before the game, but their overall offering to fans deserves praise.

Bowling evenings and FIFA game nights with members of Liam Rosenior’s first team squad are just two examples of things the club do away from a matchday, an exhaustive list that gives a glimpse into the importance of the club within the community.

On the pitch, there is significant momentum building following a strong second half to the season under Rosenior, but off the pitch, the club are proving just how valuable they are at the centre of their community.