Hull City Supporters Trust

Hull City Supporters Trust Announces Community Partnership with Hull City Disabled Supporters Association

Hull City Supporters Trust (HCST) is thrilled to announce a new community partnership with the Hull City Disabled Supporters Association (DSA), reinforcing our commitment to fostering inclusivity and enhancing the matchday experience for all Tigers fans. This collaboration marks a significant step in uniting our efforts to ensure every supporter, regardless of ability, feels valued and connected to our beloved club.

The Hull City DSA, officially launched in February 2024 has been working tirelessly to improve accessibility and provide a voice for disabled fans. Led by Chair David Batte, the DSA has made remarkable strides in advocating for better facilities and matchday experiences. As David stated at the DSA’s launch event, “This tells everybody who is a Hull City fan that the club and the DSA are working together for the benefit of fans with disability. Let’s talk about how we can improve the facilities, how we can improve the experience.” His leadership has sparked meaningful conversations and tangible improvements, such as adjustable payment terminals and initiatives inspired by other clubs, like sensory rooms and refreshment delivery services for wheelchair users.

This partnership aligns with HCST’s long-standing tradition of community engagement and advocacy, from supporting Hull City Ladies to preserving the club’s heritage through projects like the Spion Kop 1906 Club. By joining forces with the DSA, we aim to amplify their efforts, promote greater accessibility at the MKM Stadium, and ensure that all fans feel part of the Tigers family. Together, we will work to address challenges such as improving away match experiences and educating supporters to create a more inclusive environment.

We invite all Hull City fans to support this partnership and get involved. For more information about the Hull City Disabled Supporters Association, visit hullcitydsa.com. Let’s continue to build a stronger, more inclusive Tigers community—because we are truly “One family, one dream.”

Up the Tigers!
Hull City Supporters Trust

Hull City Supporters Trust, are deeply concerned by the recent news of a transfer embargo imposed on Hull City AFC by the EFL, as reported by The Telegraph on July 3, 2025. The reported financial issues, including alleged non-payments to other clubs and local suppliers, raise serious questions about the club’s financial management under owner Acun Ilicali.

While we acknowledge Mr. Ilicali’s significant investment since his 2022 takeover, the reported cash-flow problems and potential for further sanctions, such as a three-window transfer restriction, are alarming. The collapse of the deal to sign Louie Barry and the constraints on registering new players only heighten our concerns about the club’s ability to compete in the Championship.

We urge the club’s leadership to provide transparency and clarity to supporters regarding the financial situation and the steps being taken to resolve these issues. The Trust calls on Hull City AFC to engage constructively with the EFL to ensure compliance and avoid further penalties that could jeopardise the club’s future.

Hull City fans deserve a stable and competitive club. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and advocate for the best interests of our supporters and the long-term sustainability of our beloved club.

Hull City Supporters’ Trust welcome the update from Hull City Ladies and their commitment to a new era at Tier 3 alongside the redevelopment of the Pathway program.  

We note the ongoing investigations mentioned in the statement, which align with BBC News reports this week about financial and operational challenges faced by women’s football clubs in the region.  

The Trust has long supported Hull City Ladies, including sponsoring a Hull City Ladies player for seven years, as part of our mission to represent all Tigers fans and promote the club’s community impact.  

We echo fan sentiments from replies to the post, urging a potential merger with Hull City to provide the Ladies with greater resources and stability for future success.  

We look forward to collaborating with Rachel Gay, and the Hull City Ladies board, to ensure the team thrives and we’ll continue engaging fans through initiatives like the Spion Kop 1906 Club to support related heritage and community projects.

Over the past seven years, since former Chairman Geoff Bielby was invited to a round table meeting at Westminster, Hull City Supporters Trust has been promoting safe standing.

Emma Hardy, MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, was particularly supportive in the a debate held in June 2018 and was in favour of safe standing being introduced to what’s now the MKM Stadium. The aim is to give fans a safe way to stand and add to the matchday atmosphere whilst not inconveniencing fans who can’t or don’t wish to stand.
Emma Hardy has supported this by discussing it with the club and relevant groups, helping to keep the idea moving forward. Geoff Bielby from the Trust has been key in these efforts. “It’s about giving fans a choice while keeping safety first,” he said, drawing on his work to involve supporters.

Barbara Wilkinson of the Senior Tigers accompanied Geoff to Westminster in 2018 ensuring the needs of all fans are considered. “Standing safely could bring back some of the old spirit for everyone,” she noted. Chris Smith, through the Hull City Official Supporters Club, has helped push this forward too, connecting fans and the club. “It’s steady progress for something we all want,” he said.

Finally we welcome that Hull City AFC and safety officials are planning the next steps. It’s a slow process, but we’re sure everyone is committed to getting it right for supporters.
Thanks to all involved for their efforts. We’ll keep you posted.

12 February 2025

Hull City Supporters Trust (HCST) has always been a firm supporter of the Football Governance Bill, and in 2024, we called on our local MPs across all parties to back this crucial legislation in Parliament.

It is deeply concerning to hear the comments from Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, who has dismissed the proposed independent football regulator as a “waste of money” and stated that she has “always said” she does not support the bill. We stand with the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) in criticising this U-turn and urge Ms Badenoch to engage with the FSA, supporter groups like HCST, and the 72 EFL clubs that have publicly supported the regulator.

In recent years, the Premier League has been embroiled in costly legal disputes, with millions spent on litigation—money that could have been invested in improving the game for fans and local communities. A properly implemented independent regulator would help provide oversight, ensure financial stability, and create a fairer, more transparent football system for all.

Cross-party support for football reform has been rare, so the introduction of the Football Governance Bill—originally proposed by the Conservative government and now backed by Labour—was a significant step towards protecting the future of our game. It is incredibly disappointing to see the current Conservative Party leader turning her back on football fans, clubs, and communities to seemingly appease a few of the so-called ‘big clubs’ for political gain.

Football supporters deserve a system that prioritises the long-term sustainability of the game over political manoeuvring. We urge Ms Badenoch to reconsider her stance and commit to delivering the independent regulator that football so desperately needs.

Hull City Supporters Trust (HCST)

The Hull City Supporters’ Trust (HCST) is delighted to announce Leonardo (Leo), a lifelong Tigers fan from Bari, Italy, as our new International Director.

Leonardo’s passion for Hull City began at the age of 10, a connection that has only deepened over the years. Remarkably, he doesn’t support any Italian team—his dedication to Hull City leaves no room for divided loyalties. In 2013, Leonardo established Hull City Italia, uniting Italian fans under a shared love for the Tigers. Twitter / X users will know Leo under the handle of @HullCityItalian.

In 2019, Leonardo fulfilled a lifelong dream by attending his first match at the MKM Stadium, witnessing Hull City take on Blackburn. His first live victory, however, came four years later against Huddersfield at home—a moment he will cherish forever.

Beyond his love for football, Leonardo holds a degree in Italian Literature, bringing both creativity and dedication to his role as International Director. His unique perspective and unwavering commitment will help expand HCST’s global reach, strengthening the connection between Hull City fans worldwide.

Leonardo shared his excitement for the new role:
“Hull City has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. It’s an honor to serve as International Director for the Supporters’ Trust, and I can’t wait to work with fans around the world to support the Tigers.”

We warmly welcome Leonardo to the HCST team and look forward to the energy and vision he will bring to this role.

Hull City Supporters’ Trust is proud to announce the formal launch of its heritage project to unearth and preserve the UK’s only surviving unchanged football supporters’ open terrace of its era, actually constructed a short period ahead of its famous namesake on the other side of the Pennines!

Investigative work has already commenced to establish the viability of the Spion Kop’s rear concrete wall prior to the ground clearance to remove sixty years of mother nature hiding what structurally remains of Hull City’s original Anlaby Road ground dating back to 1906.

Lead Project Director, Chris Smith said, “The Trust is set to apply to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a significant grant towards what might well be a million pound project, including access walkways, signage, lighting, seating and landscaping.”

Nick Thompson, Chairman of the Trust added, “We are now appealing to Hull City supporters to back this passion project by becoming members of the Spion Kop 1906 Club to raise the necessary target to match the Heritage Fund’s support. The Trust has received generous support, in kind, from the football club but it’s the individual supporters and the local business community that we are relying on to kick the project towards the final whistle.” 

All Spion Kop 1906 Club members will have their name and/or that of their ancestors’ cut out of the metal non-slip treadplate “Walk of Legends” to be a permanent recognition of their support in perpetuity.

The Supporters’ Trust is honoured to acknowledge Councillor Mike Ross as the inaugural member of the Spion Kop 1906 Club. Not only has Hull City Council facilitated a lease for the land containing the project but the Leader’s Contingency Fund has made the first significant contribution towards the Trust’s eventual target. 

Councillor Ross will be presented with a life membership of the Trust plus a memento plaque of his name that will feature on the laser cut “Walk of Legends” that will eventually lead to the preserved Spion Kop.

https://hullcitysupporterstrust.com/join/spion-kop-sign-up/

https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/november/01/spion-kop-1906-club-launch-

The Hull City Supporters’ Trust (HCST) invites you to join us in celebrating Hull City’s rich football heritage. We are excited to announce the Spion Kop 1906 Club, a fundraising initiative to honour the iconic Spion Kop End at Hull City’s original Anlaby Road ground.

As the UK’s last remaining example of an original football supporters’ open terrace of its era, the Spion Kop is significant to fans and our sporting history.

After being forgotten for decades, this historic site is set for revival during Hull City’s 120th Anniversary year.

With support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we aim to secure a grant of up to £1,000,000. To qualify, we must raise 10% of the matched funding—an ambitious target of £100,000.

By joining the Spion Kop 1906 Club, you can help preserve this vital piece of football history. Your name will be etched onto the path leading to this site, ensuring your contribution is remembered for generations.

Support our mission to conserve the Spion Kop and create a memorial celebrating the camaraderie of football fans. Together, we can honor our shared legacy.

Join us today and leave your mark on the Walk of Legends!

https://hullcitysupporterstrust.com/join/spion-kop-sign-up/

A Birth of The Tiger Nation

Usually when football and rugby grounds are demolished, little or no physical traces survive, so the rediscovery of remnants of Anlaby Road’s Spion Kop is of genuine interest and importance in terms of our wider national sporting heritage. This is especially so given that the ‘football terrace’ – that is, the mound or slope upon which millions of fans stood upon for their thrills, spills and companionship – represents, arguably, one of the great cultural icons of 20th Century life in Britain… “

Simon Inglis

The UK’s renowned expert,  author and lecturer on  sports architecture.

https://hullcitysupporterstrust.com/join/spion-kop-sign-up/

The Trust is well aware of the careful, not to say, agonising consideration that has been given by the Club prior to today’s announcement of prices for watching the Tigers next season. Against a backdrop, nationally, of raging inflation since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and huge increases announced by certain other clubs, there is a general increase of just under 15%. This is the first increase in the two years since the change of ownership and it follows reductions in prices two seasons ago. 

A full price membership in the highest price category, Zone 3, equates to less than £21 per home game over the 23-match season. A senior member in the same zone pays just over £13.50 per match. To some, the introduction of a charge for under 10s might be unwelcome, but this equates to only £1.83 per match. The new prices compare very favourably with many other clubs in all divisions of the EFL and in lower leagues.

The Trust respects and supports the need for these modest price increases and urges all supporters to do the same. We’re all part of One Family, One Dream.

Chris Stern

Chair

Hull City Supporters’ Trust