What’s Next For Hull City AFC?

In view of the present situation that the club finds itself in, one must question just what has been going on in recent times.

To those of us watching from the outside it appears that there has been a breakdown of trust and co-operation between the players and management, be it the coaching team or further up the management scale. Poor performances and a resistance to change a playing system, which was obviously not working have led to this situation.

The owners have alienated vast swathes of its fan base in recent years, stating that they didn’t matter and could die when they wanted. This may have been so in the days when Premier League and TV money was abundant, but now, more than ever, they will need those remaining fans to stay, and they must do something to build bridges and encourage those who no longer attend matches to return and fall in love with Hull City AFC again.

Whatever has happened in the past, the club now finds itself where it is. The question is then, how does the Club see its future?

We call upon the club to respond to the following points.

  1. Sale of the club

The club has been for sale for 6 years now with little progress being made.  We believe that this is due to unrealistic pricing, especially as there is a depleted playing squad and tangible assets limited to a small training ground.  Can the club please confirm:

  • the club is still for sale
  • the asking price will be sensibly reduced rather than being the debt owed to Allamhouse Limited
  • Playing resources

Recent profits made by the club have largely been down to player sales and parachute payments. As the latter have run out now it is clear that the strength of the playing squad will be vital to the short-term future of the club. Can the club please confirm:

  • they will continue to invest in the academy and build on the progress already made
  • you believe that the current recruitment set up is able to identify suitable new players at the appropriate fee and the current manager is the man to develop those players
  • will there be a change in approach to renegotiating player contracts given the number of players who have refused to sign a new contract over the last few years
  • Membership scheme

Whilst there are still flaws in the membership scheme the price changes made last season have at least made it workable.  Can the club please confirm:

  • the scheme is to continue for 2020/21
  • the pricing is not going to increase
  • that charges are only going to start when supporters are able to attend
  • due consideration will be given to reinstating concessions for disabled fans
  • the ‘benefits/bonus’ packages for members will finally materialise
  • Fan Engagement

We urge the club to re-engage with the trust at this difficult time – remember we are all in this together. Under Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) guidelines football clubs must have “structured dialogue” with supporters and this must involve a Supporters Trust (if it exists). This is now part of the EFL Rulebook.

  • Stadium capacity

The club has recorded some of the lowest attendances at the KCOM during the last season and the Trust is concerned that this decline will continue with League 1 football.  Can the club please clarify what steps will be considered to increase attendances to levels previously recorded in League 1 at the KCOM.  Can the club please confirm:

  • there will be no further stand closures
  • special pricing initiatives will be adopted at half term and other special times
  • loyalty of fans will be rewarded
  • walk-up one off prices will not be excessive
  • The KCOM Stadium

We note that the stadium management company has made significant losses whilst under the current ownership and as far as we are aware has not paid any return to Hull City Council. Can the club please confirm:

  • appropriate steps are being made to reduce losses and ultimately make a payment to the council
  • a reasonable refurbishment policy will be adopted to bring areas of the stadium suffering wear back to the required standard
  • that a suitable dilapidations provision is being made in the accounts by the end of the current lease

HCST Response to Wigan Defeat

Yesterday evening’s record equalling 8-0 defeat to Wigan Athletic was the result of years of mismanagement and steady decline coming home to roost. The club we all support is a national laughing stock and supporters are rightly sad and angry at the situation.

There have been calls for protests to be organised, which we completely understand. From the Supporters’ Trust perspective last night’s result has not changed anything regarding the underlying problems our club faces. The club has been on a downward spiral for years and there appears to have been no sign of a willing for this to change.

HCST is usually not a protest organisation. We have previously helped organise peaceful protests, the only type of protests we could consider being involved with due to our Trust status, which we don’t believe future ones would be effective against this current, unprecedented regime. It would also be irresponsible given the current global health pandemic to encourage any mass gatherings.

The most effective way of protesting is by withholding your financial support. At other clubs in similar distressed situations, it has always been financial reasons which have facilitated change. We appreciate this is a moral decision people have to make which is ludicrous considering all people want to do is support THEIR team and we therefore respect differing views on this.

Whilst protesting may bring some short-term relief and a chance to display frustrations, ultimately we don’t feel it will have the desired impact. We do however acknowledge your right to peacefully protest and will not criticise anyone for this. It is important nobody does as unity amongst the supporter base is essential, we all want a successful Hull City AFC.

The Trust, as it has been for a while, is focusing on engaging with potential new owners where we feel there is the greatest chance of bringing real change. This is obviously a lengthy process given the current asking price for the club with no guaranteed success however we will keep trying. We have also been focusing on other positive causes that we can influence in the local community.

HCST Board

HCST AGM Results

A big thank you to all of our members who recently participated in our on-line AGM. It was regrettable that we were unable to have our usual meeting at the William Gemmell Social Club, however circumstances prevented that from happening.

It did, however, mean that those of you who do not attend matches or would have been unable to attend in person were able to vote and pass on your comments.

There were two items which required to be voted on:

1. The Accounts are available for review by everyone – Do you agree to waive the requirement for an audit?
This was passed with 65 votes for 0 votes against

2. Do you have any objection to the appointment of Matthew Frampton and
Mike Raynor (presently Co-Opted Board members), or the re-election of Steven Pye to the Trust Board?
This was passed with 65 votes for 0 votes against

No questions were raised. Members feedback is extremely important and we would ask that you contact us at any time should you have any queries.