Hull City F.C. - Official Thread

[Kingston Upon Hull]

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[Kingston Upon Hull]

Norwich City 0 v 2 HULL CITY at last an AWAY win

http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/News...165148,00.html

And this is exciting too well for me.

http://www.seagulls.co.uk/page/Leagu...,10433,00.html

[Kingston Upon Hull]

Mmm interesting

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.c...l/article.html

[Bushy_Badger]

I hope this goes ahead, he seems like a decent chap and has given away millions to other local establisments like Hull University over the years.

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.c...l/article.html

HULL City owner Russell Bartlett is today considering a formal takeover offer from two local multi-millionaire businessmen which will see them plough £12m cash into the club immediately, the Mail understands.

Assem Allam and his son Ehab made their formal offer for City in a two-hour face-to-face meeting with Bartlett at their business premises in Melton yesterday.

Today, the Mail can exclusively reveal their bid is being backed by another unnamed prominent local businessman, who is willing to inject extra cash into the club.

A well-placed source at City has also told the Mail current head of football operations Adam Pearson, who attended yesterday’s meeting as a mediator, has indicated he is also willing to invest.


He would put a “significant amount” of his own cash in to support the Allams' bid because he is keen to see the club back in the hands of local owners.

The Allams' money would be used to immediately pay off some outstanding debts and buy players in the January transfer window.

As the Mail first revealed yesterday, the deal would see the Allams agree to take over all club debts, presently thought to be about £20m.

This would mean Bartlett would no longer need to guarantee City’s liabilities against his personal wealth.

It comes after a dramatic day yesterday iin which City’s financial future was played out in the media spotlight.

Firstly, just hours after the Mail revealed the Allams were making a renewed bid for the club, these pictures of Bartlett and Pearson were captured as they left the meeting and published on our website.

Then, Egyptian-born Allam chose to speak publicly of his desire to take over for the first time in television and radio interviews.

The Allams, who have amassed a £150m fortune through their highly-successful diesel generator manufacturing business, had invited Bartlett to officially discuss their offer in writing last week.

In agreeing to meet, Bartlett now appears to be prepared to take their proposals seriously, having dismissed an approach from them in January of this year.

Although sources say the City owner was clearly unhappy with the media circus of yesterday’s meeting, discussions were set to continue today as the Allams seek to close the deal.

If they are unsuccessful, the Mail understands Bartlett is considering another option which would see City’s present debts transferred to potential American interests.

But concerns have already been raised that this move could see former Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale drafted in to run the club on their behalf.

That would be a hugely unpopular move with fans given his track record at Leeds, Barnsley and Cardiff City.

Speaking for the first time about his bid last night, Allam said he believed the Tigers needed a local owner who was doing their best for the region and the future of the club.

Asked what he would bring, the 70-year-old said: “A little more financial stability, relieve the pressure of creditors and provide cash for future investment.

“The club needs a cash injection to pay the debts, and to relieve the pressure and also need cash as working capital to acquire new players, if they want to.

“They really need to get out of the financial pressure and concentrate on the future of football.”

When contacted by the Mail last night, Bartlett confirmed he had been happy to meet the Allams but would not indicate how the meeting had unfolded or whether or not he felt there was a possibility of a deal being struck.

The club has made no official statement on the matter at all.

Peter Wilkinson, Pearson’s previous silent partner at the Tigers, is not involved in the Allam bid

[Kingston Upon Hull]

Originally Posted by Bushy_Badger

I hope this goes ahead, he seems like a decent chap and has given away millions to other local establisments like Hull University over the years.

http://www.thisishullandeastriding.c...l/article.html

I listened to him last night on Radio Humberside and he came accross very well.

Made his millions in the City and what's to put something back and also promote his company globally if City can go back up to the Prem.

Ps is this the guy who gave over a million to Hull University?

[Chris (Newcastle)]

I wonder who the "other unnamed prominent local businessman" is?

[Bushy_Badger]

Originally Posted by Kingston Upon Hull

Ps is this the guy who gave over a million to Hull University?

He certainly is.

http://www2.hull.ac.uk/news_and_even...r_donates.aspx

Hull entrepreneur donates £1.5m to the University
Leading Hull entrepreneur Mr Assem Allam, who is a supporter and benefactor of the University of Hull, has donated funds of £1.5m to the University to establish a new bio-sciences research centre - the Allam Institute.

The donation will yield almost £3m with the inclusion of Gift Aid and matched funding support from the Higher Education Funding Council.

The Institute will, in the first instance, focus on bio-medical imaging - a field in which the University has considerable expertise. Over the last decade the University has stimulated internationally recognised research into the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the development of 3-D computer simulation work leading to the spin-out company “Vertual” for the training of hospital radiographers, and more recently work to develop a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner activity based at the Daisy Centre of the Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham.

The Daisy Centre will work closely with the Allam Institute undertaking clinical aspects and the Institute will specifically concentrate on the fundamental scientific research into new agents for PET investigative work.

Egyptian-born Assem Allam is one of Hull’s most successful entrepreneurs; his business Allam Marine is a global manufacturer and supplier of generators and was awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2006. He was also named the Ernst and Young UK Entrepreneur of the Year in 2006. Earlier this year, the Times valued Mr Allam’s business at £97m and he was also identified in their Rich List as one of the 25 biggest risers of 2009.

Mr Allam said: “It is with great pleasure that the Allam family will be associated with such an important area of research as Positron Emission Tomography Imaging. The donation will enable the University to continue to advance in a field that will benefit the nation for many years to come.”

[up the tigers]

One of the worst performances i've seen last night from city. Absolutely clueless. I really thing the players are doubting their own abilities which makes them scared to mount any meaningful attack. In the first half we had the majority of the posession but that doesnt matter unless you convert it into attempts/goals.

The best thing is that the next home match is on Saturday so not long to wait until things are hopefully put right.

[legolamb]

First game of the season this saturday, so I hope to see a better performance than I've been hearing about.

Think we could really do with an injection of cash for team strengthening by January, but it shouldn't be panic stations yet. Apart from QPR who are really flying the old cliche 'anybody can beat anybody' seems to have been invented for this years championship.

Still think we've got the quality to turn things around, but this poor run has taken me by surprise. There can be no more excuses about the team needing time to gel.

[Bushy_Badger]

Originally Posted by legolamb

First game of the season this saturday, so I hope to see a better performance than I've been hearing about.

Think we could really do with an injection of cash for team strengthening by January, but it shouldn't be panic stations yet. Apart from QPR who are really flying the old cliche 'anybody can beat anybody' seems to have been invented for this years championship.

Still think we've got the quality to turn things around, but this poor run has taken me by surprise. There can be no more excuses about the team needing time to gel.

I think the crowd may dip to around 18k on Saturday. Tuesday was awful to watch baring the first ten minutes.

[Wagg]

Taken over last night by Allams

[Bushy_Badger]

Originally Posted by Wagg

Taken over last night by Allams

A quote frm the Yorkshire Post.

"For the time being, it is important to stress to everyone, especially the supporters of Hull City, that we see our role as bringing financial stability to the club to help clear the outstanding debts and to enable it to survive and flourish."

"Our strengths are in business expertise and financial management. We will leave the football decisions to those who know best."

On last nights game I thought city played well first half last night but was up against it from the start of the 2nd half. A good point in the end and a very vocal away follwing too.

[albionfagan]

Apparently he wants to expand the KC to 40,000 nad make it under £10 a ticket

[legolamb]

He said £5 for women and children

A 40,000 seat stadium is what we would have had if that nob head Trevor Brooking had not rescinded on the necessarry funding from his organisation Sport England saying that e would never fill it. We would in the prem. Easy.

As Allam has already made clear - we are East Yorkshire's club after all - with proven sustained attendances even in the lower leagues at BP throughout the 1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's. It can't even be argued that that sort of support is dormant anymore after filling the KC for a couple of years after a long and steady increase in attendances and season pass sales throughout this century (with an impressively small dip after relegation). I'm convinced that if we had a ground that big it would have been filled for 90% of games in our first season in the top flight. Even more with the sort of prices Allam is reckoning on.

[LINCS OWL]

Originally Posted by legolamb

He said £5 for women and children

A 40,000 seat stadium is what we would have had if that nob head Trevor Brooking had not rescinded on the necessarry funding from his organisation Sport England saying that e would never fill it. We would in the prem. Easy.

As Allam has already made clear - we are East Yorkshire's club after all - with proven sustained attendances even in the lower leagues at BP throughout the 1940's, 50's, 60's and 70's. It can't even be argued that that sort of support is dormant anymore after filling the KC for a couple of years after a long and steady increase in attendances and season pass sales throughout this century (with an impressively small dip after relegation). I'm convinced that if we had a ground that big it would have been filled for 90% of games in our first season in the top flight. Even more with the sort of prices Allam is reckoning on.

What proven sustained support in the lower divisions? Hull City recorded some shocking attendances at Boothferry Park. 2,059 against Newport in 80-1 for instance. I've been there a few times with under 5,000 present. For a city the size of Hull, attendances were woeful.

[Hull]

So he does want to expand the kc?

And does any one know if the hotel and buissnes development is still on track?

[prezza]

Originally Posted by LINCS OWL

What proven sustained support in the lower divisions? Hull City recorded some shocking attendances at Boothferry Park. 2,059 against Newport in 80-1 for instance. I've been there a few times with under 5,000 present. For a city the size of Hull, attendances were woeful.

That is a cheap shot ...2059 against newport!..hardly surprising I remember the day well...the game was called off at 2.00 we went home only to find out the ref had changed his mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We have had massive crowds down the years apart from lean times at a run down ground...build it and they will come...and they have.

[legolamb]

Erm.. I never mentioned the 80's or 90's did I?

A time when BP's capacity was well down - especially during the year you mention thanks to the scandalous demolition of the North stand. Anyway, the figures for much of the 80's and 90's are partly forgiveable. I can't think of any club that have had regular crowds over 10'000 after nearly 100 years of no top flight football, no trophies and the regular threat of going out of existence.

[albionfagan]

Very disappointed not to win, thought we were the best side for the majority of the game, hit the post twice and played some wonderful football at times. The referee got a hell of a lot of stick off the crowd, mostly deserved because of his incositency in booking players but he definitely made the right decision in not giving us a pen because the lad got the ball and it was outside the box, still the lino ballsed up giving it and why we didn't end up getting a corner was bemusing. Great save by mannone from their pen but at 1-0 it was always a dangerous place and they snatched a point late on. Ashbee and Harper were particularly impressive for us, Harper's goal was wonderful.

Ahh well we've been lucky to come away with points in many games this season can't complain too much. Good crowd of just shy 22k as well, let's hope New Year brings good fortune.

[Hull]

Am I right about hearing the new owner wants to extend the kc stadium to 40,000 and let the stadium hold concerts again?