Two long weeks have passed since the
18 | 37 | -5 | 41 | |
19 | 39 | -17 | 41 | |
20 | 39 | -24 | 41 | |
21 | 38 | -14 | 40 | |
22 | 39 | -19 | 39 | |
23 | 39 | -20 | 36 | |
24 | 39 | -25 | 36 |
It looks like 3 out of 7 with
Friday, 30 March 2007
Saturday, 31 March 2007
Tuesday, 03 April 2007
QPR have a real shot with two home games and both West Brom and
Ex-Derby manager Phil Brown has used all his experience in the loan market to pick up some decent players who are starting to mould into a decent team until they had the obligatory defeat at
Position: 19th Record: P39; W11; D8; L2; F41; A58; Pts 41 Form: LWLLWWL
Still to play: Southend (h); Norwich (h); Wolves (a), Colchester (h); Stoke (a); Cardiff (a); Plymouth (h).
Manager Phil Brown has steadied the ship after a poor start. Back-to-back wins will have done their confidence the world of good, especially picking up three points at Luton as away form has been their Achilles heel this season. Matches at this stage of the season are readily called 'must-win' games, but they are nothing of the sort for the likes of Ray Parlour. For him, a European final or an FA Cup final is a 'must-win' game - he has been there, seen it and done it and his experience, along with the likes of Dean Windass and Nick Barmby, will be vital in keeping their run of form going.
Did you know? This is the highest Hull have been in the table all season. All the other six clubs in the mire have at least enjoyed a more exalted status in the division at sometime or other during the campaign.
This is a tough one. We did not play well at Ipswich or against Burnley but picked up six points. By all accounts things were better against Leeds but fell to the Blake free kick sucker punch. There will be a passionate 17,000 odd crowd screaming for Blue blood, we will have to raise our game to match any sustained pressure while you don't need to work for Paddy Power to get odds that Darryl will be called upon. This Hull team will not go walkabout as Ipswich did, ask Preston, however if we can see any early barrage the nerves will get to them as it does any team in this position at this stage of the season, so no gifts and if we get a sniff of a chance, take it. The continued loss of MacCormack is a huge blow, Mac v Parlour would have been fun, but the Gower experiment seems to be working and Foran has added to the overall team work ethic, though away from Roots Hall Mark cannot afford to drift wide too often, Hull have a hard working midfield who will take advantage of any gaps, Bradbury must drop back leaving Freddie to keep a loan vigil upfront at times. (How much mad Colin Murphy, the Hull assistant manager and former Southend coaching disaster has on team matters we can only speculate, the more the better from our point of view I would guess!)
The Hull team that played in that Sunderland defeat and the manager's comments after.
"I'm still very confident we'll survive. We showed plenty of endeavour, spirit and passion. We just lacked quality in front of goal but if we keep playing like that then we'll be fine. Being a Sunderland fan it was a very strange day but Hull City pay my wages and all my family were in the away end with Hull scarves on. But I do think Sunderland have a great chance of going up automatically."
Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Delaney, Dawson, Livermore (Barmby 54), Ashbee, Parlour, Forster (Marney 74), Windass, Elliott (Vaz Te 53).
Subs Not Used: Duke, Coles.
Read our own editor's views on Southend's survival hopes at www.hullcity-mad.co.uk where he is joined in two other excellent articles by supporters of Luton and Leeds.
We've played Hull on 35 occasions, mainly in the third tier of English football, winning 10, losing 12 with 13 draws. The first time we played was on January 10 1959 at the old Boothferry Park where we left with a 2-3 defeat, McCrory and Stubbs grabing the Blues goals in front of 12,908. The last time was that dark night on Halloween 2006 when Eastwood joined Harrold to give us a 2-1 lead against a team struggling as much as we were but 10,234 saw us somehow lose 2-3 against ten men. A defeat many felt we would never recover from, well done the management team, the players and, yes, the supporters for allowing us all to go into the rematch with even a hope of playing Championship football next season.
A serious dark day was the last Saturday of the 1979/80 season when I was in the small crowd of 3,823 to see us lose 0-1 and get relegated from Division 3, though we came straight back up under the next season as Champions. The crowd size was due to Hull KR playing Hull in the Rugby League Challange Cup Final on the day, so only the true soccer men of Hull attended which they sang to remind us throughout the game!
A sort of reasonable omen is that we have only lost by the odd goal in ten of the twelve defeats while, in 1965 and 1979, we lost twice by two. (Er, I accept an eleventh one nil win will not have them crying in their Tetley's but these are pretty boring statistics!) We on the other hand have three 3-0 wins of our ten. The joyous days were all at Roots Hall on October 23 1978, January 25 1980, February 1, 2003 and the line-up of scorers were; Moody (pen.), Parker and Dudley; Gray, Parker and Spence; Smith (2, 1 pen.) and
Rawle. Hurrah!
THE GROUND:
The Kingston Communications Stadium (commonly referred to as the KC Stadium) was opened in December 2002. It cost almost £44m to build, by Birse Construction and is home to both Hull Football & Rugby League Clubs. I'm not a fan of most of the bland new grounds, but the KC Stadium is an exception to this rule. Built in a parkland setting, the stadium can be seen for some distance around and will undoubtedly win awards for its impressive design.
The stadium is totally enclosed, with the West Stand being around twice the size of the other three sides. The roof rises up and curves around the West Stand, giving the stadium an interesting look. Inside the curves continue as each of the stands slightly bow around the playing area, drawing the eye to sweep panoramically around them. Each stand is single tiered, apart from the two tiered West Stand. This stand also has a row of executive boxes running across its middle. There is an electric scoreboard at the North End of the stadium, where the Police Control Box is also situated. The pitch looked in excellent condition on my visit in January, plus it has had under soil heating installed. The p.a. system within the stadium is also excellent. All told this a stadium that would not look out of place in the Premiership.
Away fans are located in the North Stand End of the ground, where up to 4,000 supporters can be housed, although the normal allocation is half that number. As you would expect a visit to the KC Stadium is far pleasanter than it was to the old Boothferry Park. The facilities available are good, plus there is not a bad view of the playing action to be found anywhere (although you are a little set back from the pitch). On the concourse alcohol is available, plus burgers, pies etc.
The atmosphere tends to be good within the stadium, but unfortunately there is an element of Hull support that feel the need to berate away supporters throughout the game. This coupled with the fact that there are no pubs nearby that welcomes away fans, means that although it is a truly magnificent stadium it is still not the greatest of days out. Please note that the stadium has been designated a no smoking and a no standing area. The latter decree does seem a little ridiculous. This has led to some unpleasant confrontations between away fans and stewards, so you have been warned. You can though smoke on the concourses but not at your seat.
THE DRINK:
There are a number of pubs within a few minutes walk of the stadium, but these are all designated as being for home supporters only. Most local fans still seem to be heading for pubs situated around Boothferry Park. These are best avoided by away fans particularly the Silver Cod and 'Admiral of the Humber' pubs. Otherwise you can head for the nearby City Centre, where there are plenty of pubs to be found. One is the Sandringham pub, near to Hull main station.
If you are walking to the stadium from the City Centre there are several pubs on Spring Bank, including the Editorial and the Tap and Spile. Behind Hull Paragon station is another pub called the Yorkshireman, which is OK.
Otherwise alcohol, Carling & Tetleys are served within the stadium at £2.50 per pint. However for some high profile matches, the club do not provide alcohol to away supporters.
THE CAR:
The stadium is fairly close to the old Boothferry Park ground, but slightly nearer to the town centre, which is 3/4's of a mile away. If you used to approach the old ground down Anlaby Road, pass the ground on your right, go under the railway bridge, and at the second set of traffic lights, turn left into Walton Street and you're there.
Leave the M62 at Junction 38 and join the A63, towards Hull. Stay on the A63 and the stadium is clearly signposted (KC Stadium) as you approach Hull. About one mile from the centre of Hull leave the A63 (also signposted for the Hull Royal Infirmary) and take the 2nd exit at the roundabout. Turn left at the lights and then over the flyover, right at the next lights and the ground is down on the right.
To park the car the stadium has its own massive car park right next to the stadium, with access from Walton Street. It is floodlit, with a covered surface (that is, not a mud bath) and open to home and away supporters alike. If you get there early and want to go into the City centre, there is a park and ride bus to and from the car park. The cost of parking for the game is £3. It's easier to park at Hull than at any ground I know of - but there is one drawback, namely, getting away again at the end of the game. It can take up to half an hour if you park a long way from the exits. Also, visitors need to be aware that there are two exits onto Walton Street after a game, the one to the right as you face Walton Street allows right turns only, and the one to the left allows left turns only. Visitors will want the left one to get straight back onto Anlaby Road.
Alternatively there is a Park & Ride facility signposted off the A63 (shared with home supporters). Many fans opt to park in one of the many town centre car parks and then walk out to the stadium. It is perhaps easiest is to park at the Infirmary (clearly signposted from the A63) where parking is only £2 for 4 hours (£3 for 8). It's a 10-15 minute walk to the ground from there.
The most convenient car park in the city centre is the Pryme Street multi-storey car park, which is open to 7.30pm. Leave the A63 at the Myton Street exit and head North towards the city centre. You will pass Paragon station on your left. At the next traffic lights turn right into Spencer Street and then immediately left into Prospect Street and follow road round to the right into Pryme Street. Car park entrance is on right. There is also an NCP car park at the end of Pryme Street and Council surface car parks off Freetown Way. To walk to Stadium cross over Ferensway and walk along Spring Bank. Turn left onto Derringham Street by Polar Bear pub and then right onto walkway to the stadium.
Please note that some residential areas near to the stadium have been made residents only parking zones, so don't park there as you may well end up with a parking fine. There is some street parking less than five minutes walk away. Leave the A63 at the Humber Bridge Roundabout and take the first exit into Boothferry Road. Pass Boothferry Park and forward onto Anlaby Road towards the Hull Royal Infirmary, You will pass the KC stadium on your left. Go over the flyover, and turn right at "The Eagle" pub into Coltman St then take the 2nd right into Cholmley St then 4th right into the Boulevard. There are many side streets without parking restrictions. To get to the ground simply walk to the top of the Boulevard and go up the pedestrian walkway to the stadium. To Get home simply go the other way down the Boulevard, then left into Hessle Rd, after 1/4 mile you'll come to a roundabout which takes you onto the A63 (Clive Sullivan Way) and M62.
THE TRAIN:
The Stadium is 15 minutes walk from Hull Paragon station. Visiting fans should leave the train station on the South side and turn right onto Anlaby Road. The stadium is about 15 minutes walk away straight along Anlaby Road. To any last minute train travellers there are still 14.70 tickets available on the, er, 6.55 from Kings Cross that gets in at 10.10, available on the GNER site only at that price. More seriously for trips from Southend Central is the little known Hull Trains direct service from London Kings Cross, ran by First, that has a 23pound single ticket available on the 9am that arrives at Noon and a 15pounder getting back on the 18.17 that returns to London at 21.07. To buy tickets call 08450 710 222.
THE HISTORY:
Hull City A.F.C. were founded on 28 June 1904. For some years prior to this attempts were made to found a football (soccer) club, but in a city dominated initially by rugby league with the likes of Hull FC and Hull KR this proved difficult.
The first season for Hull City consisted of friendly matches; because of the time of founding, City were unable to apply for membership to The Football League for the 1904-05 season. The early matches were played at The Boulevard, home of rugby league side Hull FC. On 1 September 1904, City's debut match took place against Notts County; with 6000 in attendance at the Boulevard, City notched up an impressive start holding the more experienced County to a 2-2 draw.
Hull's first taste of competitive football came in the FA Cup, but they were eliminated, after a replay, in the preliminary round against Stockton, the score was 7-4 on aggregate. After uneasy relationships with landlords, Hull City moved to Anlaby Road Cricket Ground.
Finally, after playing 44 friendly fixtures the previous season, Hull City were entered into the Football League Second Division for the 1905-06 season. Other teams competing in the league that season included the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, as well as Yorkshire rivals Leeds City, Bradford City and Barnsley. Indeed it was Barnsley who they faced in their first game, beating them 4-1. Eventually, Hull would finish fifth.
The following season a new ground was built for Hull City across the road from the cricket ground. Still under the managership of Ambrose Langley, City continued to finish consistently in the top half of the table. They came agonisingly close to promotion in the 1909-10 season, recording what would be their highest ever finish in their history (a record still held today); Hull finishing third, level on points with second placed Oldham Athletic, they missed promotion on goal average by the slim margin of 0.29 of a goal.
Before World War I, Hull reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 1915, beating out West Bromwich Albion, Northampton Town and Southampton, before eventually going out to Bolton Wanderers in a 4-2 away defeat.
In cup competitions, the club's greatest achievement was in 1930, when they reached the FA Cup semi-final. The cup run saw Hull knocking out Leeds United and eventual Champions of the Second and Third Division; Blackpool and Plymouth Argyle respectively. They then knocked out Manchester City, to meet Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter finals. The first leg at St James' Park finished as a 1-1 draw, but in the replay Hull beat Newcastle 1-0.
The semi-final match against Arsenal took place in Leeds, the same ended 2-2, and was taken to a replay. Arsenal knocked Hull City out at Aston Villa's home ground, the score ended a narrow 1-0.
Hull reached the Second Division in 1985 after finishing Third Division runners-up under player-manager Brian Horton. They defied the odds to stay there for the next five years before finally going down in 1991, by which time the club's manager was Terry Dolan.
Hull finished 14th in the Third Division in 1991-92, meaning that they would be competing in the new Football League Division Two. In their first season in the rebranded division, Hull narrowly avoided another relegation but the board kept faith in Dolan and over the next two seasons they achieved secure mid table finishes. But terrible form in 1995-96 condemned Hull to relegation to Division Three.
Dolan was fired and replaced by Mark Hateley after Hull failed to get anywhere near the top of Division Three in 1996-97. By this stage, financial problems were taking their toll on the Tigers and it was starting to look as though the club would go out of business before long. And Hull's league form was steadily deteriorating to the point that relegation to the Conference was looking a real possibility - which surely would have meant the death of the club. Hateley departed in November 1998 to be replaced by 34-year-old veteran player Warren Joyce, who steered the club to safety after being anchored to the foot of the table - Hull City fans refer to this season as "The Great Escape". After this feat, Joyce was perhaps unlucky to be replaced in April 2000 by the experienced Brian Little.
Little breathed new life into Hull and managed to get good results out of the players, despite briefly being locked out of Boothferry Park by the bailiffs and with liquidation looking a real possibility. Hull qualified for the Division Three playoffs in 2000-01, and lost in the semi finals. But things could have been much worse - at least the Hull City fans still had a football club to support. A boardroom takeover had eased the club's precarious financial situation and all fears of closure were banished - had the club been relegated to the Conference the previous season, it is extremely unlikely that this takeover would have taken place.
New Chairman Adam Pearson ploughed funds into the club, allowing Little to rebuild the team with the aim of immediate promotion. Hull occupied the Division Three promotion and playoff places for much of the 2001-02 season, but Little was sacked two months before the end of the season and Hull slipped to 11th under his successor Jan Mølby.
Hull began the 2002-03 season as most people's favourites for promotion from Division Three, but a terrible start to the season saw relegation look more likely than promotion and Molby was sacked in October as the Tigers languished fifth from bottom in the league.
Peter Taylor was named as Hull's new manager and in December 2002, just weeks after his appointment, Hull relocated to the impressive new 25,400-seat Kingston Communications Stadium after 56 years at Boothferry Park. After this move, Hull's attendances were some of the best in the division but their results were rarely this impressive and they were unable to finish above 13th place in the final table.
2005-06 was hardly the most exciting season in the history of
The successful stint at
Defender Leon Cort became Hull's first ever million-pound player when he followed Peter Taylor to Crystal Palace for a fee of £1,250,000. Parkinson wasted no time in spending the majority of this money on strengthening the City squad in readiness for the 2006-07 season.
Chairman Adam Pearson has stated his ambition to take Hull into the top flight for the first time in their history and he believed Phil Parkinson was the manager to do it. However, their dismal start to the 2006-07 season was hardly the form of a team attempting to gain promotion, and on 4 December 2006 Parkinson was sacked as manager with Hull in the relegation zone, despite having spent over £2 million on players.
By 4 January 2007, Hull had moved out of the relegation zone and Phil Brown was rewarded with a contract as their new manager until at least the end of the season.
(Thanks to all the usual suspects with the help given for the above.)