No To Hull Tigers

[purpleronnie]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/dr-assem-allam-i-dont-mind-them-singing-city-till-we-die-they-can-die-as-soon-as-they-want-8975199.html

 

The outspoken owner of Hull City has had enough of militant fans opposing his plans to change the club's name to Hull Tigers. And here's why... Richard Rae meets Dr Assem Allam

However, it seems unlikely given what else the 74-year-old businessman has to say about those supporters who object to his determination to change the club's name to Hull Tigers, and who express their feelings by peaceably unfurling a banner reading "City till I die" at a given point during each home game.

"How can they call themselves fans, these hooligans, this militant minority, when they disturb and distract the players while taking away the rights of others to watch the football, and of companies who have paid good money for their advertising?

"If they want to express their feelings they are free to do so, either outside the stadium or pay to take space. Seriously, they are welcome to talk to the stadium management about buying a space for a permanent banner, 10 times as big if they want. I am a supporter of democracy. I would have no issue with that."

So, as happened against Crystal Palace last week, will stewards attempt to prevent a second banner reading "We are Hull City" being displayed during today's televised game against Liverpool? When they did so against Palace the situation threatened to become confrontational, before wiser counsels prevailed and the banner was allowed a moment – and it wasn't much more than that – in the spotlight.

According to Allam it will not be his decision, as he insists it was not during the Palace game.

"I have professional management capable of handling the situation. The main thing is that freedom of expression does not prevent the freedom of others to watch the game, or the rights of those who have paid to advertise.

"But can I remind you, we lost that match. And we still talk about these people as 'fans'? Again, how can you be supporting a club when you distract attention during a game?"

And the chanting? "I don't mind 'City till we die'. They can die as soon as they want, as long as they leave the club for the majority who just want to watch good football.

"These people, they want influence and authority without responsibility. The fans went against me when I sacked the previous manager, Nick Barmby, a nice man and a local hero who I liked a lot. But it was my responsibility to act and thank God I did not listen to them. I will never have other people taking decisions while I take responsibility."

His message, he says, is very straightforward: look at my record and trust me. The alternative?

"I'm a simple man. Do they want me to stay? If it's 'No thank you', fine, in 24 hours the club is for sale, I do not put in one more pound and hopefully things happen quickly."

This appears to be the first time Allam has posited the nuclear option. Because that, effectively is what it is. Without his financial support, the club would almost certainly go to the wall, as they were within hours of doing when he paid £27 million to avert an HM Customs and Revenue winding-up order in December 2010.

If that was not an act of pure phil-anthropy, the most cynical would have to acknowledge it was not far off. Having arrived from Egypt in 1968 as a penniless refugee from the Nasser regime – he says he was beaten for his opposition to the dictator – Allam has become one of the area's richest men, owner of a company he describes as the country's biggest independent generator manufacturer.

Political and civil unrest in the Middle East – Allam Marine's primary export zone – means business is not as good as it was three years ago, when turnover was £185m and he paid himself a dividend of £16m. Even so, this year's Sunday Times Rich List esti-mated his family's wealth at £317m.

However, Allam has put plenty back. Hull University, local hospitals and Hull Truck Theatre have variously received substantial six- and in some cases seven-figure donations. Two years ago the rugby league club Hull Kingston Rovers were handed £1m. A great squash lover, he has sponsored the British Open – on condition it is played in Hull.

But it is the football club on which Allam has spent by far the largest sum: by last July, he calculates, some £66m. It was not, he says, what he originally intended: "After the initial £27m, I had in mind to spend another £30m increasing the stadium capacity by 10,000 [to 35,500], which would have cost about £12m, and the rest improving the infrastructure, build cafeterias, a small supermarket, a hotel, offices, to allow the club to generate income so it would never have to depend on someone like me again."

To do so, however, he required the club to acquire the KC Stadium freehold – "Would you build an extension on a house if you were just the tenant?" – and the city council, which built the stadium at a cost of £43.5m (realised by selling a substantial share in the unique publicly owned local telecommunications provider), wanted a co-operative approach.

Whether a compromise was ever possible is unlikely, but now seems almost impossible given Allam has severed relations, accusing some councillors of publicly misrepresenting what was said at a meeting between the two parties.

He has still pumped in a further £38m, though, money used to buy the players who got Hull promoted last season, pay the necessary uplift in contracts, then bring in and pay the likes of Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore to provide a decent chance of staying up.

Hence the need to generate more income, and so the name-change. Or, as he insists, the name-shortening, because he claims the word "Tigers" has been part of the club's official name "for ages". This is news to most supporters, many of whom find the marketing case – that "Hull Tigers" will be a far more effective global brand than Hull City, or even Hull City Tigers – unconvincing at best and spurious at worst.

Many feel it is some sort of reaction to the fall-out with the city council. The "No to Hull Tigers" campaign group, an amalgam of the various supporters' groups, has been trying desperately to make Allam understand that while every fan fully appreciates what he has done for the club, and is as ambitious for the future as him, tradition also matters.

When he met representatives of the group recently, Allam admits he was impressed. "They were good listeners and I was a good listener, and someone said, 'OK, what if we come back to you with alternative ways of generating commercial income?' I said, 'I would love that', we agreed to make a joint statement and that's how we left it.

"Unfortunately they issued their own statement and I am still waiting for them to come up with commercial alternatives. So far they have only come up with banners and actions that affect the players."

Even the announcement that Hull will be the UK's City of Culture in 2017 has not given him pause for thought. "I am very pleased about this, but it is not relevant to football. Every-body uses 'City', which is why I said it was a common name. What is relevant is colour, logo and name of area. The university is not Hull City University.

"Where were these militant fans when Hull City AFC was dead in December 2010? I made it clear to everybody that I will run the club the only way I know, on sound business policies. That is what I have done, and it is what I will continue to do.

"If the majority of fans are saying now, no, it doesn't work, OK, tell me that and I am off. Not a minority who shout loud, they will not force me out, that would be a Scargill scenario. You remember [Arthur] Scargill? Where is the mining industry now? No."

If the club stay up this season, Allam believes that next season mid-table will be achievable, followed by possible European qualification. And if not, and the income falls off a cliff?

"I don't want to answer hypothetical questions, but the militant fans will have to deal with the issue. Will it be their fault? If they affect what happens on the pitch it will be. If the majority want me to go, I will. Remember this. Trust me on this."

Fans: He's being offensive

The City Till We Die campaign group, who have set up a membership scheme aimed at forming a supporters' trust, is asking Dr Allam to launch a consultation on the issue of the name with all supporters, using the database of 20,000 season-ticket holders.

In a statement they said: "The intemperate suggestion that singing 'City Till I Die' or holding a banner with Hull City's name on it constitutes disorder is ill-informed, unhelpful and will be considered by many to be offensive; nor is it credible to believe that such measured actions will have any effect upon the team. We reiterate our advice to all City fans to continue their fine support for our fantastic team while positively expressing a preference for our current name. We remain committed to working with the club on this and other issues. We are particularly mindful of Dr Allam's comments when he took over the club in 2010 about broadening supporters' representation at Hull City AFC. We are keen to assist the club with establishing this."

 

[ruisliptiger]

We will be facing Liverpool at Home on Sky today. I would urge all those who feel it best to vote with our feet to watch it and see if you change your mind. Of course Sky will probably take their usual stance and completely ignore what going on off the field at Hull City A.F.C.

Sent from my GT-I9295 using Tapatalk

[Guest Bilo]

We will be facing Liverpool at Home on Sky today. I would urge all those who feel it best to vote with our feet to watch it and see if you change your mind. Of course Sky will probably take their usual stance and completely ignore what going on off the field at Hull City A.F.C.

Sent from my GT-I9295 using Tapatalk

 

What do you make of Allam wishing CTWD dead?

[maynefox]

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/dr-assem-allam-i-dont-mind-them-singing-city-till-we-die-they-can-die-as-soon-as-they-want-8975199.html

 

The outspoken owner of Hull City has had enough of militant fans opposing his plans to change the club's name to Hull Tigers. And here's why... Richard Rae meets Dr Assem Allam

However, it seems unlikely given what else the 74-year-old businessman has to say about those supporters who object to his determination to change the club's name to Hull Tigers, and who express their feelings by peaceably unfurling a banner reading "City till I die" at a given point during each home game.

"How can they call themselves fans, these hooligans, this militant minority, when they disturb and distract the players while taking away the rights of others to watch the football, and of companies who have paid good money for their advertising?

"If they want to express their feelings they are free to do so, either outside the stadium or pay to take space. Seriously, they are welcome to talk to the stadium management about buying a space for a permanent banner, 10 times as big if they want. I am a supporter of democracy. I would have no issue with that."

So, as happened against Crystal Palace last week, will stewards attempt to prevent a second banner reading "We are Hull City" being displayed during today's televised game against Liverpool? When they did so against Palace the situation threatened to become confrontational, before wiser counsels prevailed and the banner was allowed a moment – and it wasn't much more than that – in the spotlight.

According to Allam it will not be his decision, as he insists it was not during the Palace game.

"I have professional management capable of handling the situation. The main thing is that freedom of expression does not prevent the freedom of others to watch the game, or the rights of those who have paid to advertise.

"But can I remind you, we lost that match. And we still talk about these people as 'fans'? Again, how can you be supporting a club when you distract attention during a game?"

And the chanting? "I don't mind 'City till we die'. They can die as soon as they want, as long as they leave the club for the majority who just want to watch good football.

"These people, they want influence and authority without responsibility. The fans went against me when I sacked the previous manager, Nick Barmby, a nice man and a local hero who I liked a lot. But it was my responsibility to act and thank God I did not listen to them. I will never have other people taking decisions while I take responsibility."

His message, he says, is very straightforward: look at my record and trust me. The alternative?

"I'm a simple man. Do they want me to stay? If it's 'No thank you', fine, in 24 hours the club is for sale, I do not put in one more pound and hopefully things happen quickly."

This appears to be the first time Allam has posited the nuclear option. Because that, effectively is what it is. Without his financial support, the club would almost certainly go to the wall, as they were within hours of doing when he paid £27 million to avert an HM Customs and Revenue winding-up order in December 2010.

If that was not an act of pure phil-anthropy, the most cynical would have to acknowledge it was not far off. Having arrived from Egypt in 1968 as a penniless refugee from the Nasser regime – he says he was beaten for his opposition to the dictator – Allam has become one of the area's richest men, owner of a company he describes as the country's biggest independent generator manufacturer.

Political and civil unrest in the Middle East – Allam Marine's primary export zone – means business is not as good as it was three years ago, when turnover was £185m and he paid himself a dividend of £16m. Even so, this year's Sunday Times Rich List esti-mated his family's wealth at £317m.

However, Allam has put plenty back. Hull University, local hospitals and Hull Truck Theatre have variously received substantial six- and in some cases seven-figure donations. Two years ago the rugby league club Hull Kingston Rovers were handed £1m. A great squash lover, he has sponsored the British Open – on condition it is played in Hull.

But it is the football club on which Allam has spent by far the largest sum: by last July, he calculates, some £66m. It was not, he says, what he originally intended: "After the initial £27m, I had in mind to spend another £30m increasing the stadium capacity by 10,000 [to 35,500], which would have cost about £12m, and the rest improving the infrastructure, build cafeterias, a small supermarket, a hotel, offices, to allow the club to generate income so it would never have to depend on someone like me again."

To do so, however, he required the club to acquire the KC Stadium freehold – "Would you build an extension on a house if you were just the tenant?" – and the city council, which built the stadium at a cost of £43.5m (realised by selling a substantial share in the unique publicly owned local telecommunications provider), wanted a co-operative approach.

Whether a compromise was ever possible is unlikely, but now seems almost impossible given Allam has severed relations, accusing some councillors of publicly misrepresenting what was said at a meeting between the two parties.

He has still pumped in a further £38m, though, money used to buy the players who got Hull promoted last season, pay the necessary uplift in contracts, then bring in and pay the likes of Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore to provide a decent chance of staying up.

Hence the need to generate more income, and so the name-change. Or, as he insists, the name-shortening, because he claims the word "Tigers" has been part of the club's official name "for ages". This is news to most supporters, many of whom find the marketing case – that "Hull Tigers" will be a far more effective global brand than Hull City, or even Hull City Tigers – unconvincing at best and spurious at worst.

Many feel it is some sort of reaction to the fall-out with the city council. The "No to Hull Tigers" campaign group, an amalgam of the various supporters' groups, has been trying desperately to make Allam understand that while every fan fully appreciates what he has done for the club, and is as ambitious for the future as him, tradition also matters.

When he met representatives of the group recently, Allam admits he was impressed. "They were good listeners and I was a good listener, and someone said, 'OK, what if we come back to you with alternative ways of generating commercial income?' I said, 'I would love that', we agreed to make a joint statement and that's how we left it.

"Unfortunately they issued their own statement and I am still waiting for them to come up with commercial alternatives. So far they have only come up with banners and actions that affect the players."

Even the announcement that Hull will be the UK's City of Culture in 2017 has not given him pause for thought. "I am very pleased about this, but it is not relevant to football. Every-body uses 'City', which is why I said it was a common name. What is relevant is colour, logo and name of area. The university is not Hull City University.

"Where were these militant fans when Hull City AFC was dead in December 2010? I made it clear to everybody that I will run the club the only way I know, on sound business policies. That is what I have done, and it is what I will continue to do.

"If the majority of fans are saying now, no, it doesn't work, OK, tell me that and I am off. Not a minority who shout loud, they will not force me out, that would be a Scargill scenario. You remember [Arthur] Scargill? Where is the mining industry now? No."

If the club stay up this season, Allam believes that next season mid-table will be achievable, followed by possible European qualification. And if not, and the income falls off a cliff?

"I don't want to answer hypothetical questions, but the militant fans will have to deal with the issue. Will it be their fault? If they affect what happens on the pitch it will be. If the majority want me to go, I will. Remember this. Trust me on this."

Fans: He's being offensive

The City Till We Die campaign group, who have set up a membership scheme aimed at forming a supporters' trust, is asking Dr Allam to launch a consultation on the issue of the name with all supporters, using the database of 20,000 season-ticket holders.

In a statement they said: "The intemperate suggestion that singing 'City Till I Die' or holding a banner with Hull City's name on it constitutes disorder is ill-informed, unhelpful and will be considered by many to be offensive; nor is it credible to believe that such measured actions will have any effect upon the team. We reiterate our advice to all City fans to continue their fine support for our fantastic team while positively expressing a preference for our current name. We remain committed to working with the club on this and other issues. We are particularly mindful of Dr Allam's comments when he took over the club in 2010 about broadening supporters' representation at Hull City AFC. We are keen to assist the club with establishing this."

 

 

He does not give two shits about the fans, as we all know. If I was a Hull fan I would boycott games for as long as he dictating things.

[Kitchandro]

Ugh. What a disgusting, horrible man.

 

He can die as soon as he wants.

[GingerrrFox]

They said on Super Sunday he's said if the fans keep disagreeing with him on this and try and stop him from changing the name that he will put the club up for sale and not put 1 penny more in until he sells it. Watch it Hull fans, fighting with the wrong owner here. He'll ruin your club.

[Kitchandro]

They said on Super Sunday he's said if the fans keep disagreeing with him on this and try and stop him from changing the name that he will put the club up for sale and not put 1 penny more in until he sells it. Watch it Hull fans, fighting with the wrong owner here. He'll ruin your club.

 

You know what though, sitting there and taking it is worse. The amount of disrespect he is showing is not nearly acceptable.

 

If they aren't going to boycott now they really are weak and pathetic.

[AKCJ]

Anybody see the fully grown man in a tiger onesie lol

[Danizen]

The guy's a grade-A cvnt! I've signed the petition but from his comments, I can't see what good it will do. He's got the club by the balls and he knows it. I hope The FA reject the name change and that they along with The Premier League do their best to protect Hull's interests. I can't see it happening, though. Money talks.

It makes our 8% interest guys seem like saints, by comparison.

[Jordan]

The chaps are right, Ruislip.

Paying £30 to chant is playing into their hands, the only thing that will make the difference is swathes of empty seats and reduced income.

If you don't want to be Hull Tigers, you need to bite the bullet and boycott.

But it must be embarrassing and irritating for Allam to have a full crowd singing their support for the Hull City name on internationally-televised games.

[AKCJ]

But it must be embarrassing and irritating for Allam to have a full crowd singing their support for the Hull City name on internationally-televised games.

 

 

I think it'd be more embarrassing to have a half empty ground on internationally-televised games.

[Jordan]

I think it'd be more embarrassing to have a half empty ground on internationally-televised games.

Allam has already made it clear that he doesn't need these fans, so I wonder if he would even care.

[Kitchandro]

Allam has already made it clear that he doesn't need these fans, so I wonder if he would even care.

 

In that case why would he care about a few chants?

 

It's hardly a ground shattering protest is it, 10 seconds into it they scored and people stopped giving a shit. It's had no close up shots from the Sky cameras yet Allam has had several. I can barely make out the chants from my living room and the rest of the world of got no chance of understanding it if they speak a different language.

 

Nor will most people even understand it's relevance. Those kind of chants are sung every match anyway.

 

At least if they boycott they're keeping their hard earned money and not giving it to this utter bastard.

[Donut]

People wont boycott. Theyd just go back and watch the team through boredom.

[purpleronnie]

People wont boycott. Theyd just go back and watch the team through boredom.

Even in the city of culture?

[Donut]

Even in the city of culture?

 

Yep.

 

Theyll just get bored, realise theres nothing else to fill their time, and go back to supporting them anyway.

[Jordan]

In that case why would he care about a few chants?

It's hardly a ground shattering protest is it, 10 seconds into it they scored and people stopped giving a shit. It's had no close up shots from the Sky cameras yet Allam has had several. I can barely make out the chants from my living room and the rest of the world of got no chance of understanding it if they speak a different language.

Nor will most people even understand it's relevance. Those kind of chants are sung every match anyway.

At least if they boycott they're keeping their hard earned money and not giving it to this utter bastard.

I don't know if we had the same commentators on the US broadcast of the game as the ones in the UK, but there was quite a bit of talk up to and after the 20th minute about the name change, the fan reaction, the "protest," and Allam's quotes--with all of it reflecting awfully negatively on Allam.

Even if the fans' protests are small potatoes, they've succeeded in causing the media to make a big meal out of it.

[purpleronnie]

I don't know if we had the same commentators on the US broadcast of the game as the ones in the UK, but there was quite a bit of talk up to and after the 20th minute about the name change, the fan reaction, the "protest," and Allam's quotes--with all of it reflecting awfully negatively on Allam.

Even if the fans' protests are small potatoes, they've succeeded in causing the media to make a big meal out of it.

Not sure but the commentators in the US always seem to mention the crowds (for whatever particular reason), they rarely do it in the UK especially if its seen as negative.

[Voll Blau]

We will be facing Liverpool at Home on Sky today. I would urge all those who feel it best to vote with our feet to watch it and see if you change your mind. Of course Sky will probably take their usual stance and completely ignore what going on off the field at Hull City A.F.C.

Sent from my GT-I9295 using Tapatalk

 

Yeah, turning up and singing "We're Hull City, we'll die when we want". Bet that'll make him change his mind. 

[Jordan]

Yeah, turning up and singing "We're Hull City, we'll die when we want". Bet that'll make him change his mind.

Nothing will make him change his mind except the FA and the Premier League.

Everybody is piling on Hull fans here for no good reason. Ok, well they're Hull fans, so I'm sure that's one reason . They have decided to be vocal against the name change while supporting their team, and that's fair enough. In a way, their strategy is working, because even if it's just a few Hull fans boycotting, and even if their protests are tame, this is all clearly bothering Allam. He has now embarrassed himself in the press several times, and this is all terrible publicity for him and his pet Tigers project.

It's easy to sound like the militant tendency of football fans on an online forum. There are very few clubs whose fans would take major collective action against an owner changing their team's name for commercial reasons, and we all know Leicester ain't one of them.

[ruisliptiger]

Exactly, the style of protest is clearly working. Those who suffered silently are now showing their vocal support. I've never heard the KC so noisy. Those Foxes who have been to the KC will vouch that aside for a handful of supporters in the East stand the atmosphere is very very tepid.

 

With each interview he gives Allam alienates more and more supporters.

 

Those saying we should be careful what we wish for are missing the point. We are fully aware that Allam could pull the purse string at any point and send us tumbling down the leagues. This is more important that the level of football we reside at.On field success is of secondary importance. I thought the coverage on Sky was as much as we are ever going to get considering their tendency to remain neutral and shy away from controversy. Wilkins comparing Allam to Abramovich made himself sound a right plank.

 

Bilo - To answer your question I think it was ill advised and he seems to be trying to pick a fight and turn things nasty. It would be very difficult in that instance for CTWD to remain a legitimate group if the whole thing became a slanging match. All they can do is remain respectful in disagreement.

 

Follow https://twitter.com/NoToHullTigers on Twitter and  https://www.facebook.com/NoToHullTigers?fref=ts for the official responses to Allams ranting interviews.

[AKCJ]

[ruisliptiger]

Not really. Have you kept abreast of the subject?

 

The Siege of Hull in 1642 was the first major action of the English Civil War.

As both sides moved towards war, Parliament had access to more military materiel, due to its possession of all major cities including the large arsenal in London. In Kingston upon Hull, where the majority of the inhabitants were royalists,^[1] there was a large arsenal which had been established for the Second Bishops' War in 1638. To deny the Royalists access to this, in January 1642 Sir John Hotham was ordered by Parliament to seize Hull. This was at once carried out by his son John, who became the Military Governor of Hull.

Charles I hoped that quick victories would negate Parliament's advantage in materiel and as the armouries in London were beyond his reach he hoped to take the large arsenal at Hull to supplement the armouries he did have access to, such as those of the Derbyshire andStaffordshire trained bands.^[2]

In April 1642 Hotham refused to admit Charles I to Hull. Later he promised his prisoner, Lord Digby, that he would surrender the city to the king, but when Charles appeared again, after travelling to Beverley (a walled medieval town some 8 - 10 miles away which was an armoury) to collect more soldiers, Hotham refused a second time and drove away the besiegers.^[3]

Charles took great personal affront to these actions, and declared Hotham a traitor. The Royalists' unsuccessful siege of the city was a major step on the road to full scale war which would start at in earnest with the pitched battle of Edgehill on 23 October 1642.

[ruisliptiger]

Excellent piece in today's Times

Assem Allam’s misguided stance shows action must be taken to protect clubs
Assam is naive to ignore the wishes of Hull fans as he dismantles the club’s heritage

There are no fit and proper owners in football. Even to make the suggestion is to create a lie. To maintain the deception is ludicrous.

There are only owners and, as the song goes, they do what they want. And why not? It’s their club and their money. It’s just business.

Assem Allam is as fit and proper an owner as they come. He is as close to a local as someone who was not born on Humberside can be. He saved Hull City from bankruptcy. He is a legitimate businessman in the most unironic sense of the term. In an industry riddled with chancers and dubious characters, he is almost squeaky clean.

In football terms, he is a thief and a blackmailer. The police will not be turning up at the KC Stadium to arrest Allam. What he is doing is perfectly legal. The theft of a heritage is not a crime. Changing a name from Hull City AFC to Hull Tigers does not break any law. Threatening to pull his money out and sell the club if the fans do not give up their resistance to the new identity is merely emotional blackmail and transgresses only the principles of decency and good taste.

If we accept that football is just business, Allam is within his rights. He mocked the fans who sang “City till we die†by saying they can expire whenever they like “as long as they leave the club for the majority who just want to watch good footballâ€.

That statement shows how badly Allam misunderstands the game and how unsuited he is to own a football club. Anyone who thinks entertainment and success are at the core of fandom is hopelessly naive or plain stupid.

No one supports Hull for the glory. In the club’s 109-year history, they have spent only 2½ seasons in the top flight. Following the team is a labour of love, an assertion of culture. It is not a consumer choice. It is emotional attachment that only withstands the scrutiny of logic if the connection between club and community is considered. 

It is not business. Throughout the years of mediocrity and failure, the fans who came to Boothferry Park did not decide that they could no longer be associated with such a poorly performing company and give their custom to one of Hull’s rivals. 

Allam does not seem to understand this. Vincent Tan, at Cardiff City, has the same problem. The juvenile obsession with animal names is laughable, but it is a symptom of an attempt to erase a century-old culture and replace it with poorly thought-out marketing campaigns.

Football needs protection. Not just from the crooks and the swindlers but from the misguided. Allam ticks all the good-guy boxes in the Premier League test, but scrutiny of a potential owner’s background and character is not enough. Football is part of the national heritage and should be protected as such.

It would be easy to come up with a set of rules akin to that applied to listed buildings to give a level of protection to the heritage of the game. Buildings of historic importance can be sold, but new owners cannot make substantive changes to them without serious scrutiny. The purchaser knows what he is buying in to. Traditional names and colours could be protected. Any potential stadium moves would have to be within a defined radius to maintain geographical integrity.

Protection needs to be put into place. The massive television deals will attract more foreign owners. They will come from a very different sporting standpoint. American owners, for example, come from a background where it is possible to pick up and relocate franchises. After the Wimbledon/Milton Keynes Dons debacle, rules were put in place to stop this happening again, but would anyone trust the football authorities to uphold them when the realpolitik of cash dominates the agenda?

Everything is for sale in football’s modern era: names, colours. The likes of Allam believe the “customers†can take it or leave it. Except they can’t, because they are not customers, they are supporters whose shared history and identity with the team and the club mean they are more than mere consumers. If the Hull owner fails to understand that, he is not fit to own the club. He will find out that alienating proper fans is the path to catastrophe.

[ruisliptiger]