Tiger Nation Monthly

Tiger Nation

Monthly

Issue 1 / May / 2013

The 2012-13 Season Review RELIVE THE INCRED IBLE PROMOTION WINN ING SEASON

Ashbee

Egyptians

MUFC LINK

031 ‘Ulltras

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Issue 1 May 2013

INTERVIEWS 10

One-on-One: Ian Ashbee

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View From The Terrace

CONTENTS

Captain Fantastic speaks about his time at the club in an exclusive interview.

56 Hull City Official Supporters Club

Tiger Nation Monthly got in touch with Peter Johnson to get the

low down on all things Hull City.

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Learn From The Best: Lorenzo Contucci

Everything you need to know about the AS Roma Ultras. We hope our ultras are reading and taking note.

44 Tigers Around The World

How did fans from across the world came to support Hull City?

FEATURES 16

From Carrington To The KC Stadium

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Blast From The Past - Jozy Altidore

Having endured a less then successful stint in East Yorkshire find out who is attracting interest from the European big guns.

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Top 10 Best And Worst Signings

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The Treatment Room

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Turn The KC Stadium Into A Fortress!

We take a look at the link between Hull City and Manchester United.

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Who has impressed and who have depressed after making the switch to the Tigers?

This week we take a look at the Achilles.

We look at what is being done to improve the atmosphere at the stadium including an interiew with the ‘Ulltras.

The Signing Of The Season From Aluko to Rhodes but who is the best signing as voted for by you the Tiger Nation?

10 Years 4 Divisions 1 Andy Dawson A tribute to the one of the club’s longest serving players.

92 Seating or standing it’s YOUR choice!

We take a look at the FSF safe standing campaign recently backed by

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the club.

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10 FREE! Promotion Pullout

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Scan this code for exclusive content

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ISSUE

Following on from the success of the website Tiger Nation Online and with a place on the market for a Hull City magazine. I am pleased to bring you the debut issue of Tiger Nation Monthly.

Our team of journalists have put a lot of effort into this debut edition. We hope you enjoy it just as much as we did producing it.

This debut issue will look back at the unbelievable promotion season, take a look at what former player Jozy Altidore is doing, feature an interview with Ian Ashbee and much more.

Up The Tigers!

Jamie Barwick Editor A special thank you must be said to the people and organisations who gave up their time to be interviewed.

Contacts : Editor - Jamie_Barwick@yahoo.co.uk Advertising - advertising.tigernationmonthly@yahoo.co.uk General Enquires - tigernationmonthly@yahoo.co.uk

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TOP 10

Steve Bruce said what?!

THE

STORIES FROM THE 2012-13 SEASON A number of stories have unfolded throughout the season from Steve Bruce’s rant about Cameron Stewart to DJ Campbell gate. We take a look at the top 10...

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DJ Campbell’s “lunch” break

Steve Bruce had been in talks with DJ Campbell for two weeks and the striker was set to have a medical on transfer deadline day ahead of a move to the club. However DJ had other ideas and amid reports Blackburn had tabled an offer. The striker said to Bruce he was going to have some lunch before turning up at Blackburn’s training ground to sign there.

Blackburn failed to get the paperwork sent to the FA in time so couldn’t sign him anyhow.

Shame.

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Managerial shake up

Following the Nick Barmby saga the owners had to put out a statement of intent to the fans. Someone with Premier League pedigree. Enter the fray former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.

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Bruce blasts Stewart

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Score like an Egyptian

Following a loan spell at Burnley, Cameron Stewart returned to the Tigers in an unfit state prompting Bruce to slate the youngster. "I don't know what he's been doing at Burnley but a lad at that age should not be in that condition."

Above DJ Campbell enjoying life in the QPR reserves.

Below Steve Bruce joined the club on a three-and-a half-year deal.

Arriving in the January transfer window, Gedo boasts an impressive international record for Egypt. 47 seconds into his home debut and Gedo put the Tigers into the lead against Derby County. Expect to see a Hull City style Fez in your local store soon.

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Above Stephen Quinn and Paul McShane - The ginger duo.

Left Gedo superstar - The Egyptian scores 47 seconds into his home debut.

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Elmohamady becomes the club PR man During the transfer window we had been linked with the two Al-Ahly players Gedo and Ahmed Fathi. Speculation had arisen that the two had been granted loan deals by their parent clubs however the City faithful were awaiting official confirmation. Then out of nowhere Ahmed Elmohamady tweeted about their arrivals.

Well done Sir.

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Proschwitz frustrates

When you sign a striker for ÂŁ2.59 million you expect a pretty much instant impact.

However Proschwitz has struggled with the physicality of the Championship and only scored three times in 27 games.

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Is he coming or staying?

Ahmed Elmohamady has been a lynchpin this season adopting the right wing-back role in the new 3-5-2 formation. However when Martin O’Neil recalled the midfielder unexpectedly many City fans feared the worst. It was clear Elmo wanted to come back because he was getting game time but Sunderland had their own injury worries too.

Then on deadline day Elmo penned another loan stay at the KC. This time to the end of the season.

Everyone needs a ginger in the middle With Paul McShane and Stephen Quinn both being playing regularly and performing well a chant was adopted in honour. After all everyone does need a ginger in the middle

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Goals, Goals, Goals

Becoming an ever familiar qualm. We just can't score enough goals to kill games off. Since Matty Fryatt got injured we haven't got a poacher who can find the net that one chance he gets.

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The Ulltras

Towards the beginning of the season more and more people started giving the City Ulltras support. Stand, Sing, Support is their motto and we for one fully back it.

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ONE-ON-ONE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY...

IAN ASHBEE Did you ever think when Jan Molby signed you back in 2002 that you’d go onto achieve what you have achieved?

You always sign for a club thinking that that’s going to be the case. But no I’m a realist and realistically I would probably say no that I wouldn’t gone on to achieve that, but we did.

How much of an honour is it to be named Captain by so many managers?

Yeah that’s the thing for me, that’s what makes you know you’ve done a good job. I was captain for quite a few managers and managers before I came to Hull so it must be one of them qualities that I had inside me to be a captain and they all saw it within me, so it was an honour for me to do that. If I was captain and somebody else comes in and puts somebody else captain it might not have meant so much but I was captain for a lot of managers under Hull so yeah it was a privilege for me.

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Who is the best player you’ve played with and against?

With I’d probably say Michael Turner was up there I mean there is a lot of great players but for me with what success we had Michael Turner was a solid rock.

Against, probably Steven Gerrard yeah he was a little bit different from the norm, we played against Deco when he was at Chelsea he was a great player but Steven Gerrard I just couldn’t get near him.

FACT FILE Date of birth 6/9/1976 Height 6ft 1in Position Midfield Place of birth Birmingham Clubs played for: 1994-1996 - Derby 1 game (0 goals) 1996 - Íþróttafélag Reykjavíkur (loan) 8 (3) 1996-2002 - Cambridge United 204 (11) 2002-2011 - Hull 243 (10) 2011-2012 - Preston 26 (0)

Who is your idol playerwise?

Paul McGrath who played for Ireland, centre half at Aston Villa he was one of my idols.

He was Irish and I’m from an Irish background, so I used to watch a lot of him. I’m from Birmingham and even though I supported Birmingham City I used to admire Paul McGrath and then I got the chance to play with him when he came to Derby County so that was good for me.

What is your favourite moment as a Hull City player?

Well it’s got to be lifting the trophy at Wembley in front of the whole nation to be honest. It was special and to do it the way we did through the playoffs is the perfect way to do it, that was the highlight for sure.

www.tigernationonline.com www.tigernationonline.com If you could change anything about your time at Hull City, other than your injuries what would it be?

Probably my discipline record really but I did taper that down a little bit as I was getting a bit older and a bit more mature. Sometimes I was a bit hot headed every now and again. I did accumulate quite a few bookings throughout the season and I did miss a couple of important games but I mean we did well in those games but to miss games as a captain I don’t suppose it sets the right example. I suppose it’s part of me but yeah probably just to curb the bookings and sendings off really.

Which manager did you most enjoy working under and what were the different approaches to management like?

Peter Taylor was good and good for me. Phil Brown he never had a go at you if you made a mistake. Peter, he let people be free and play he was more disciplined and he was great on the training ground from the minute you got in to the minute you went out. He was well organised and got us some promotions under him to be fair, so probably a combination of the two were good like for me and for what I believed in.

You handed in a transfer request under Nigel Pearson what were the reasons behind this?

Above Ashbee celebrates a goal against Barnsley.

Below Our very own Captain fantastic.

Well not reasons I want to go into really, I didn’t want to hand the transfer request in I was forced to hand the transfer request in. Somebody can be forced in many ways, we all can be forced but I didn’t want to leave Hull City but I was kind of pushed and made to leave Hull City but that’s the way it is. That’s how it ends, there are people I’d love to expose but I won’t and that’s the reason why I left.

What did you make of the club’s treatment towards Nick Barmby during his sacking?

You just never know what goes on behind closed doors, it’s

Ashbee recieves his trademark yellow card

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Above Jubilation as Ashbee puts the Tigers ahead against Blackburn Rovers at the KC. Below We are Premier League!

done and dusted that sort of stuff happens in football. I never really got involved in anyone else’s business really you know hiring managers, firing managers that wasn’t my job in the club. There isn’t a lot you can do once your sacked so you just have to get on with it it’s part and parcel of football, as it was when I left I accepted it and got on with it. I can’t keep crying over spilt milk I’m sure Nick [Barmby] just got on with it and didn’t worry about it.

Now you’ve retired from football have you got any work football related coming up, perhaps a coaching role?

No I haven’t yet no I’ve kind of just stayed out of it for a year so far I’m not sure what I want to do. I mean I’m still in the area of Hull I’d love to do something

Ashbee lifts the Play Off Final trophy.

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but what capacity who knows but. Hull will always be close to my heart cause of the years and the successes we had but at present I’ve got nothing in the pipeline.

What do you make of the current Hull City team and where do you think they will finish this season?

Yeah good I’ve been and watched a couple of games and written a few programme notes and they’ve got a good solid chance. Losing at home to Peterborough though those are the kind of games you need to be winning to get promoted.

But we’ll be there or there abouts, everyone beats everyone in the league so it’s just one of them things we’ll have to just wait and see. I mean there is going to be 10 or 12 teams in the mix right up to April.

We’ll be one of them for sure whether or not we’ll go up first or second spot I don’t think we will but for sure we’ll be around the play-offs.

Ian Ashbee will be at the next Hull City Official Supporters Club meeting which takes place in Beverley on 11 February 2013. Doors open at 7:30 pm an event not to be missed.

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THE EGYPTIAN INFLUX

During the January transfer window our Egyptian contingent grew to three players. We take a look at the players we have brought in...

The move had been touted for a number of weeks during the January transfer window but it took until deadline day for Hull City to announce the six month loan deals for Al-Ahly duo Ahmed Fathi and Mohamed "Gedo" Nagy. Whilst also securing the services of Sunderland's Ahmed Elmohamady for the remainder of the 2012-13 season, the signings took our crop of Egyptian players to three. Who have we just signed you may ask? Well Tiger Nation Monthly takes a look at their careers which may surprise a few of you and we have a chat with the players' agent.

Ahmed Fathi is a 28-year-old defender who can play right across the back four or be utilised as a defensive midfielder. Being able to play in a variety of positions gives manager Steve Bruce options which no doubt swayed the deal somewhat. Mamdouh Eid, Fathi's agent spoke about his position: "Fathi is very good in the middle and on the right side as well. He's very versatile and got a good shot too."

Fathi began his career at Ismaily SC where he spent seven years making 86 appearances scoring 5 goals. The utility man almost joined Arsenal at 19 after a successful trial but due to missing an international cap it scuppered the move. However, the defender would get his chance in England and it came in the form of Sheffield United after they bid £700,000 for his signature. On 24 January 2007 Fathi signed a three-yeardeal with the Blades and made his debut as a substitute in the 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur. Failing to hold down a regular first team spot after eight months at the club and only playing three games in the red and white he was on the move again this time back to Egypt with Al-Ahly after a fee of £675,000 was agreed.

Fathi had a loan spell early on in his Al-Ahly career with Kazma the Kuwaiti champions where he played 21 times scoring once. He has gone onto play 107 times for the Egyptian club scoring 18 times, not bad for being primarily used as a defender. In terms of his international career it is one most would envy.

He became the youngest ever Egypt international when he was capped at a mere 17 in 2001 for a game against South Africa. Speaking about his achievements Eid said: “He has got over 90 international caps, won the African Cup of Nations three times, the African Champions League twice, one Super Cup and numerous domestic titles as well as being regularly selected for Africa’s best 11.”

Hopefully Fathi can bring the success he has enjoyed throughout his career to East Yorkshire and ensure we win promotion to the Premier League.

Gedo, also 28-years-old, is primarily used as a striker and known for having an impressive international goal scoring record. The striker began his career at Ala’ab Damanhour where he spent three years in the Egyptian second tier before joining Al littihad Al Sakandary. Scoring 22 goals in 72 games meant Al-Ahly were casting an eye over the hitman and he joined the club for the 2010-11 season.

We asked Eid also the agent of Gedo about the player: “Gedo’s best attributes to me would be his direct play and composure on goal. His mentality is to win every ball and every single match. He will never settle for less.” Currently Gedo has played 72 games for Al-Ahly and scored 29 goals, his international record is also

worth noting playing 31 times finding the net on 17 occasions.

Following the arrival of the two Egyptians an increase of over 4000 “likes” has been noticed on the Hull City Facebook page and likewise for the Twitter account.

“Egyptians are very patriotic and support each other all around the world. Since their arrival everybody is following the club and hope they do well.” said Eid about the Egyptian influx. Since arriving at the club Gedo has been a revelation and scored 47 seconds into his home debut. This goal was following by the winner against Charlton and the opening goal in the 2-0 win over Blackburn.

Having proved to be an instant success was it something his agent expected? “With the class that Gedo already has. We already had very high hopes for him, we really hope he continues improving and helping the team win promotion.” Whilst Fathi’s appearances have been limited to the subs bench I’m sure time will tell and he will prove to be a fine asset too.

OTHER EGYPTIANS TO PLAY IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL

Who else has played in English football from an Egyptian background?

Adam El-Abd

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Defender Brighton Having amassed over 280 games for the Seagulls the defender have been talismanic in their rise through the leagues.

Mido

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Striker Tottenham/ Wigan/ West Ham/ Barnsley The journeyman striker has spent over five years in England scoring 22 goals and is currently a free agent.

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Amr Zaki

Striker Wigan/ Hull City Zaki exploded onto the Premier League scene and was an instant hit at Wigan scoring 5 goals in his first 6 games.

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Corry Eva

From Carrington To The KC Stadium Tiger Nation Monthly looks into the link between Manchester United and the Tigers.

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rom the hallowed turf of Old Trafford to the KC Stadium, quite the contrast but one that has proved fruitful for both teams. Tiger Nation Monthly looks into the link between the two clubs.

It’s no secret that when we need a player to come into the squad to add that bit of class we can always rely on Sir Alex Ferguson.

We have had no end of talent from the famous Carrington training

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Steve Bruce

ground from James Chester to Manucho. We’ve had the good, the bad and some have even made their stay in East Yorkshire permanent.

The loan market is vital to clubs in the Championship right through to League Two and also vice versa to the teams in the Premier League. Loan moves give young promising players the opportunity of first team action which they might not get in the first team.

They also provide a chance for players coming back from long term injuries to regain match fitness as seen with David Meyler joining from Sunderland who had two career threatening injuries. Loan moves are also a chance for a club to try out a player with the option of buying the player if the move goes well.

Ahmed Elmohamady has a clause in his loan deal with stipulates if Hull City get promoted to the Premier League the Egyptian could make the stay permanent with a fixed fee.

Fraizer Campbell Margaret Shannon of the Official Manchester United supporters club spoke of the positives and negatives of the link: "The advantages are the opportunity for younger players to develop and play regular football when first team opportunities are limited at Old Trafford. Steve Bruce knows the work ethic at Old Trafford so knows he will be getting quality. It also saves you [Hull] money, not having to fork out for untried players. Bruce can feed back the players future potential and I guess the only disadvantage would be losing the players when they have been successful for Hull. I think it is very fortunate that Bruce and Fergie have such a good relationship.”

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Robbie Brady

James Chester The link stems back to early 1995 when Warren Joyce joined Hull City on loan and 18 months down the line had penned a permanent stay at the club. 170 games and 19 goals later Joyce had become somewhat of a fan favourite which culminated in his appointment as club captain. Following the departure of Mark Hateley as manager of the club, Joyce was asked to stand in on a caretaker manager basis in November 1998.

The Tigers soon made the appointment permanent whilst also retaining his services on the pitch. What followed will live long in City folk law as the club looked to be heading out of the Football League and into bankruptcy. Joyce, however, guided the side to

safety and produced a remarkable turnaround with the season being known as "the Great Escape" by fans alike. However despite the continual league status maintained by Joyce he was replaced

by Brian Little much to the fans dismay.

Fast forward to 26 May 2008, after a spell managing Royal Antwerp Joyce became joint manager of the Manchester United reserves. Working alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjær for a period of time before taking sole charge in December 2010, when Solskjær took over at Molde FK. This is where the loan affiliation first began, whilst managing Antwerp Fraizer Campbell went on loan to the club scoring 21 goal in 33 games. Under the advice of Joyce, Campbell joined a Phil Brown managed Hull City in October 2007. Following a string of impressive performances the deal was extended until the end of the campaign. Campbell arguably propelled City forward which ended with a play-off final visit at Wembley stadium against Bristol City. Although you probably won’t need reminding but here goes. Campbell set up the winner for Dean Windass to volley home, propelling the club into the top flight. The on loan striker finished the season as the top scorer finding the net on 15 occasions in 32 games. Hull City fan Alex Uney said: “You always want the pure talent that arguably the biggest club in football can produce. To have one of the first picks of some of their [Man Utd] youngers players is very valuable.”

Despite the successful loan and promotion to the Premier League Campbell couldn’t be persuaded to join the club and he joined Tottenham Hotspur instead. For one reason or another

we didn’t capitalise on the crop of talent at Manchester United and only signed striker Manucho on loan in the middle of January 2009. He wasn't the best of strikers and struggled with the physicality of the Premier League.

Nevertheless his match winning last minute goal away at Fulham was arguably the most important of the season as it pushed the side to safety and away from the relegation zone.

Our second fateful season in the top flight saw the side sadly get relegated. We didn’t sign anyone from Sir Alex Ferguson’s side in the second stint in the Prem but with Nigel Pearson’s appointment as boss ahead of the 2010-11 season the Red Devils flooded in.

Cameron Stewart, James Chester, Corry Evans and Joe Dudgeon all joined the club.

Stewart joined first on 25 November 2010 on a loan basis at first but after playing 11 times, in late January 2011 the move was made permanent for a fee of around £300,000. His direct style of play and with pace in abundance he won over the fans. However his progress was hampered by a serious injury which saw him out of action for nine months.

Fellow United player James Chester joined in January. The central defender penned a three-and-ahalf-year deal for a fee believed to be in the region of £300,000. Not being blessed with height the defender made up for that with his ability to read the game. Forming a formidable partnership with on loan Anthony Gerrard the central pairing was the basis for a successful team. He is without a doubt one of the brightest defenders in the Championship and the best since we had Michael Turner.

Close to agreeing a new deal at the club, Chester has become a

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www.tigernationonline.com firm fans favourite in the stands.

The third Man Utd player to join was central midfielder, Corry Evans. The younger brother of Jonny Evans, signed a loan deal on 14 January 2011. Evans is a no nonsense midfielder with a battling attitude to match. This caught the eye of not only boss Nigel Pearson but the Northern Ireland international side. Following a loan spell consisting of 18 games Pearson had seen enough to make his stay permanent and towards the end of the season a £500,000 fee was agreed.

Completing the quartet is left back Joe Dudgeon who signed a three-year-deal on May 11th 2011 for an undisclosed fee. With Andy Dawson’s career winding to an end a replacement was needed and Dudgeon fits the bill. Quick and pacey, with an eye for an overlapping run the ex-United player is the opposite of Dawson.

Ahead of the 2011-2012 season Robbie Brady was signed on loan until the new year. The young winger was a stand in for the injured Stewart but proved his worth with a superb winner against Reading at the KC Stadium.

Turbulent times followed with the departure of manager Nigel Pearson back to Leicester City in November 2011. Warren Joyce was approached to be the new manager of the club but rejected the option in favour of staying manager of the Manchester United reserves. Days after this rejection club legend Nick Barmby was given the reins as boss and officially confirmed on the 10 January 2012. Six days later yet another Manchester United player joined the club in the shape of Norwegian international, Josh King. Whilst he didn’t set the KC Stadium alight he proved to

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be a good impact player and his pace was incredible.

Nick Barmby as we well know was then sacked over supposed comments made in the media about funds in the January transfer window. Exactly a month after his sacking former Manchester United defender Steve Bruce signed a three-year-deal with the club. The defender played 309 games for Fergie's side scoring 36 times in a nine year spell. Our connection with United is further strengthened by his appointment and this was again reflected with the loan signing of goalkeeper Ben Amos.

It's no secret we need a permanent number one but with a string of less than convincing displays from Amos the fans are led to believe he isn't for us. Early results were going our way due to us winning by more than one goal which meant Amos's mistakes went largely unnoticed. However when the goals didn't flow in his mistakes were magnified.

This prompted us to sign Fulham goalkeeper, David Stockdale but he has since been recalled to the club. With the recall it could see Amos once again force his way back into the starting team.

More recently Robbie Brady has re-joined the Tigers on a loan basis till January and has looked a far more composed and threatening player then in his first spell in East Yorkshire. Lining up in the new style 3-5-2 formation Bruce has employed the wing back has excelled in recent weeks a scored a marvellous free-kick in the 2-0 away win at Watford. Ahead of the transfer window fresh speculation is linking Campbell with a return to the club, if it comes to fruition only time will tell.

Joe Dudgeon

Corry Evans

www.tigernationonline.com Josh King

Cameron Stewart

Warren Joyce Ben Amos

Manucho

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BLAST FR THE PA JOZY ALTID

We track the progress loanee Jozy Altidore in exclusive interview with

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ROM A PAST: DORE

s of former ncluding an h the player himself.

rriving at the club from the once Spanish giants Villarreal and having already become an established member of the USA nation side. Altidore came with a promising reputation but sadly failed to live up to expectations. The striker failed to replicate the form he had shown for the New York Red Bulls, which had seen him bag 17 goals in 35 games for the MLS club.

Signed by the then manager Phil Brown, Altidore officially became a Hull City player on 10 August 2009 after successfully obtaining a work permit. Signing a season-long loan at the KC Stadium and with a future fee agreed around £6.5 million you can be forgiven for expecting big things from the youngster. Physically he was well ahead of his time and was a force to be reckoned with but that couldn’t translate into goals.

The American made his first start for the club coming on as a second half substitute on 22 August 2009 against Bolton at home. Crucially he provided the assist for Kamel Ghilas in a 1-0 victory. 5 days later he was scoring his first goal in a 3-1 win over Southend United in the League Cup. Such an immediate impact won over the fans on the stands and he became a firm fans favourite and even prompted the odd USA flag to make an appearance at the ground.

His first Premier League goal came in the 2-1 home win over Manchester City on 6 February 2010. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink held the ball up well, laying the ball off to the striker on the edge of the box who curled the ball into the bottom right.

His last real impact, albeit of the bad nature, came on 24 April 2010 in a home match with Sunderland. A must win game if the Tigers were to

remain at the pinnacle of English football but suffered a 1-0 defeat. Altidore was sent off in first half stoppage time after an altercation with Alan Hutton in which Jozy had head butted the defender. The referee brandished red cards for both players and City was down to ten men. The defeat meant we more or less would suffer relegation. Granted Altidore didn’t deliver for the Tigers whilst in the Premier League but the experience gained by the striker would stand him in good stead for the future. Following our relegation to the Championship we wisely didn’t take the option up to sign the striker permanently and back to Villarreal he returned. Speaking about his time at Hull City Altidore said: “I loved my time at Hull. Enjoyed every second of playing in the Prem. I thought I was just too inexperienced to take on a roll of being the first striker looking back at it at that moment and time. I learned a ton and played with some great pros who I still remain close with now. All in all a great experience and wonderful supporters.”

Altidore was on the move again, this time to the Turkish league with Bursaspor. On 31 January 2011, a six month loan deal was agreed with the principle of him gaining game time.

For the youngster it was a bold move.

An unknown country, league and culture. Signed half way through the season Altidore was hoping to provide the goals which would fire Bursapor to their second consecutive league title. Jozy went onto play 12 times for the Turkish outfit, the only goal of his spell coming in a 3-2 home defeat to Antalyaspor.

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www.tigernationonline.com Once the loan stint ended it was quite clear his future lay away from Villarreal especially with the clubs relegation from the top tier of Spanish football. His escape from Spain came in the form of an undisclosed offer from Gertjan Verbeek’s AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch league. Signing a four-year deal with Alkmaar, a side who are on the rise in Dutch football. The club have a number of promising youngsters coming through the likes of Adam Maher and fellow American Aron Johannsson. Alkmaar are a solid club in the Eredivisie behind only Ajax and PSV Eindhoven. This rise to prominence has seen them play in the UEFA Europa League and reach the Quarter-finals only to be knocked out by Valencia 5-2 on aggregate.

Big things were expected of the hitman ahead of the 2011-2012 season and on the opening day of the season he came off the bench to find the back of the net in a 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven. His appearances for the laughably nicknamed Cheese Farmers were limited to the coming off the bench in the early part of the season. He was granted his first league start on 21 August 2011 in the home fixture against NEC Nijmegen. He soon repaid his managers’ faith in giving him the starting berth by scoring two goals in a 4-0 win.

On 25 August 2011, Altidore played his first match in the UEFA Europa League against Aalesunds FK of Norway. Starting from the off in the final qualifying match, Altidore bagged two goals in a 6-0 win which saw Alkmaar progress into the group stages of the competition. Alkmaar were drawn with Swedish side Malmö FF, FK Austria Wien and Metalist Kharkiv. A tough group for

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the Dutch side who faced tricky away ties. However Alkmaar continued into the knockout stages with some impressive results. Their first game was a home fixture against Malmö FF on 15 September which saw AZ run out 4-1 winners. An impressive Altidore opened the scoring before goals from Elm, Maher and Holman completed the win.

Altidore scored his second in the Europa League in the away game with Metalist Kharkiv. AZ then drew the next four games which saw them finish second to Metalist. AZ were given a tie against Anderlecht in the last 32 which they again progressed from with a 2-0 aggregate victory. The round of 16 saw the Dutch side drawn with Italian side Udinese a tough fixture but things looked good after the first leg 2-0 win. Both goals were set up by Altidore for Maarten Martens and Erik Falkenburg to find the net. Alkmaar suffered a 2-1 defeat in the return leg but went through on aggregate.

It was seen as some achievement for AZ to reach the quarter finals but were drawn against Valencia.

The first leg gave AZ a 2-1 advantage but in the second leg Valencia proved too good and ran out 4-0 winners and thus progressing 5-2 on aggregate.

Altidore produced a strong debut season in Holland, the highlight being a brace against ADO Den Haag on 8 February 2012, which saw AZ draw level on points at the top with PSV. The American finished the season with figures of 19 goals in all competitions in 52 appearances. Not bad for his first season playing consistent football. Having played in five leagues all over the world Jozy is well travelled for a man of such

young age. Jozy spoke about the difference in playing styles he has experienced: “In each place how the game is played represents the culture in which their respective countries are somewhat known for. In England it was fast, end to end. Each team wanting to impose his style on the opponent, physical and unforgiving. You were punished heavily for each mistake.

In Spain it was relaxed, played at a slower tempo, technique and entertainment are the priority.

Fans want to see creative and artistic play and less tackling and physicality. In Turkey it was a bit unpredictable, some games were fast and others slow. A lot of technical players but they enjoyed to see players get stuck in depending on the rival. Great supporters.

“I loved my time a second of playing in

www.tigernationonline.com Lastly the Netherlands is simply like a school for young players. Here you learn the game all over again and your weaknesses are dissected and worked on until perfected if you’re lucky. A great place to develop.”

This season Altidore has been a revelation at Alkmaar and his goals have attracted reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. AZ director of football, Earnie Stewart confirmed clubs have been to scout the talismanic striker and also admitted the club turned down a bid from an Eastern European team. Jozy got off to the best of starts in the 2012-13 season, scoring a brace as AZ drew 2-2 with champions Ajax on 12 August 2012. Altidore’s game improved rapidly and he scored a brace against SC Heracles. On 16 September the

at Hull. Enjoyed every n the Premier League.”

Jozy had a frustrating time in the Premier League

“JOZY HAD SOME PROBLEMS ADAPTING TO DUTCH FOOTBALL AND WE WERE WONDERING WHY WE BOUGHT THIS GUY!” The AZ Alkmaar official supporters club gives their take on the progress of the USA international.

“This season he is showing he knows how to play the game. I think that training the Dutch way and his willingness to learn has made him better every week. This season we regard him as the second most valuable player in the squad, behind Adam Maher. He scored

9 times in 12 games, I think that says enough about the kind of progress he’s making.

In our player of the year ranking he’s in second place right now. One of the things I like about Jozy is the way he presents himself. He’s a great professional and he is very good in the teambuilding process.”

first hat-trick of his club career came about against Roda JC. Another goal followed when he found the target in a thrilling 3-3 draw with RKC Waalwijk. But the following week in the table topping clash with FC Twente, Altidore was sent off for protesting against a referee’s decision.

AZ went onto lose the match 3-0 away.

Whilst AZ began to stutter in the league Altidore continued to find the back of the net and a further brace came in the 2-1 win against PEC Zwolle on 15 December. 2013 couldn’t have started better for the American when he bagged yet another hat-trick against Vitesse. Currently Altidore has 30 goals in 38 games in all competitions, has received 3 yellow cards and one red. With the season drawing to an end Altidore has enjoyed a fruitful season in terms of goals. Asking the striker about what his aims for the season were he said: “I would like to do better than last year. It’s also highly dependent on how we

perform as a team. That comes first and then the individual goals.”

Now Jozy seems to have found his feet at club level here’s hoping that he can push on and have a few more seasons like his second stint. I just hope a club with a bigger pedigree doesn’t come in for him and it halts his progress.

Altidore needs regular game time and I’m not sure a move to Chelsea for example would be beneficial at such a young age. One thing that has to be said is that he had an average first season at nearly every club but his second improved.

Perhaps a second spell at Hull City might have proved different, one can only wonder.

Despite not setting the world on fire at Hull City it’s nice to see a former player doing so well and in the future I’m sure we’ll see Jozy lighting up the Premier League and we can say he was on loan at our club once.

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THE COMPLETE 2012-13 SEASON REVIEW

We might have lacked goals but we have the best football to grace the KC Stadiu played some of We review the whole promotion winningm in recent years. season the highs and lows.

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www.tigernationonline.com A wind of change was swiftly blowing through Hull City's KC Stadium ahead of the 2012-13 Championship season. With the unamicable departure of manager Nick Barmby and former owner Adam Pearson, the fans saw real cause for concern. The decision to remove Barmby from his position caused particularly strong fan outrage with some vowing never to go again under the new owners.

The Allams had to act and to their credit acted decisively appointing former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce on a three-year-deal.

Goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic arrived on a free deal following his release from Greek side Aris.

German striker Nick Proschwitz joined the Yorkshire outfit for ÂŁ2.6 million after impressing at SC Paderborn 07. Defensive stalwart Abdoulaye Faye, Sone Aluko and Alex Bruce all joined on free transfers from West Ham United, Rangers and Leeds United respectively.

Whilst Ben Amos joined the club on a loan deal from Manchester United towards the end of July.

Fixture wise the season would get off to a bit of a dampener with the opening game of the campaign being a Capital One Cup tie at home to Rotherham United. The npower Championship season would start a week later with a home game against Brighton followed by away games at Blackburn and Charlton.

Saturday 11 August Tigers 1-1 Rotherham (7-6 pens) Steve Bruce managed to escape an opening reign defeat as the Tigers managed to see off League Two Rotherham on penalties.

The home side had gone behind thanks to a stunning volley from the edge of the box by summer Millers signing, Lionel Ainsworth.

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Steve Bruce

Steve Bruce managed to escape an opening reign defeat as the Tigers saw off Rotherham Aaron Mclean was the saviour for the Championship outfit bagging from close range in the 70th minute.

In truth the game was a drab affair except from a moment of magic from Ainsworth and the game petered out to penalties with little threat from either side.

Captain Robert Koren had quashed rumours he was set for a move away from the club by signing an extended two-year-deal before the game and was among the players to score from the spot in the penalty shootout which Hull won 7-6. The game was marred however by an injury to star striker Matty Fryatt.

Saturday 18 August Tigers 1-0 Brighton Jay Simpson ended his 16 month goal drought to see Hull City overcome Brighton at the KC Stadium.

The game

was a tight affair of close margins but it was Simpson’s goal in the 85th minute which gave Steve Bruce his first points of the Championship season.

Seagulls striker Craig MackailSmith very nearly gave the away side the advantage but his header cracked against the crossbar. Kazenga LuaLua and Craig Noone also had efforts but were dealt with by Ben Amos in the City goal.

With the game looking like it was going to be a draw Bruce brought off Aaron Mclean for Simpson who scored his first goal since April 2011.

Wednesday 22 August Blackburn 1-0 Tigers

www.tigernationonline.com City couldn’t make it two wins out of two and suffered their first defeat of the season after a Colin Kazim-Richards goal saw all three points stay at Ewood Park. With turmoil surrounding the home side it was the perfect time to play them but City just never got started.

The goal was even more frustrating from a City point of view as the ball should have been cleared but the defensive clearance hit the back of Alex Bruce and fell to Kazim-Richards who tapped in.

The home side rarely threatened and a draw would have been a fair reflection of the game.

Saturday 25 August Charlton 0-0 Tigers City couldn’t bounce back from the Blackburn defeat but managed to scrape a point at The Valley.

With games coming thick and fast at the start of the campaign it was just what City didn’t need a trip to Charlton in treacherous conditions which stifled our attacking threat.

Former Tigers player Leon Cort should have put Charlton into the lead just before half-time but his header went just wide. Hull City had penalty shouts waved away when Corry Evans was brought down by Cort in the box.

Sone Aluko squandered a great chance when he was through on goal but his effort was straight at keeper Ben Hamer.

Late drama was to ensue which should have seen the Tigers take all three points back to Yorkshire when Simpson was denied at point plank range by Hamer before picking himself up to deny Aluko again.

Syers completes the comeback Monday 27 August Doncaster 3-2 Tigers Hull City threw away a two goal lead as Doncaster knocked them out of the Capital One Cup. The Tigers raced into a two goal advantage thanks to strikes from Aaron Mclean and Jay Simpson and looked to be heading into the next round. However Doncaster had other ideas and a superb dipping volley from David Syers halved the deficit.

Donny should have been down to ten men after James Husband caught Tom Cairney with a challenge high around the knee which went unpunished by the referee.

Bruce afterwards described the challenge as “an absolute horror tackle” leaving Cairney out of action for potentially months.

Rob Jones got Donny back on level terms with a header just before the hour mark to set up a dramatic finish. Things went from bad to worse when Paul McKenna was shown a straight red card after an altercation with Jones.

The momentum was fully in favour of the home side and it was no surprise when they got a third goal deep into stoppage time through Syers.

Ahead of the closure of the transfer window Steve Bruce managed to poach Ahmed Elmohamady away from former employees Sunderland on a loan deal. The arrival of Elmohamady saw the departure of Cameron Stewart on loan to Burnley. Stephen Quinn arrived from Sheffield United on deadline day for an undisclosed fee signing a three-year-deal.

Bruce described the challenge on Cairney as “an absolute horror tackle”

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www.tigernationonline.com Saturday 1 September Tigers 3-1 Bolton Hull City bounced back from their Capital One Cup exit with a resounding win over promotion chasing Bolton Wanderers.

Chris Eagles had given the Trotters the lead in the 17th minute when his free-kick took a deflection which left Amos helpless in the City goal.

Sone Aluko’s first goal of the season cancelled out the Bolton goal after neat work from Elmohamady and Robert Koren. A thundering Faye header sent the home crowd into raptures before deadline day signing Stephen Quinn got his Tigers career off to the best of starts with his first and City’s third of the game.

A thoroughly battling win for the Tigers against arguably one of the strongest teams in the division which was littered with ex-Premier League players.

Saturday 15 September Tigers 4-1 Millwall A stunning first-half display saw

Aluko and Bruce embrace following a comfortable win

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the Tigers overcome Millwall at the KC Stadium. The away side just couldn’t handle the 3-5-2 system and in the 14th minute a trademark Koren screamer got City off to a good start.

A period of sheer class saw Steve Bruce’s men score three goals in the space of eight minutes. Simpson grabbed his and City’s second of the game whilst Faye scored for the second game running before Aluko found the net for a fourth.

The damage was already done in the first half but it was a shame Hull City couldn’t continue the second-half with the same level of pressure. It was Hull City’s best start to a campaign for eight years some achievement for the new boss and a result which lifted the club up to fourth in the table.

Tuesday 18 September Leeds United 2-3 Tigers The last time Hull City had beaten Leeds United at Elland Road was back in 1987 prior to this game.

That unwanted record can now be scrapped after the Tigers produced

a third consecutive win.

City fans feared another defeat was on the cards when Leeds were awarded a very dubious penalty early on after Joe Dudgeon was deemed to have fouled El-Hadji Diouf inside the box. Leeds striker Luciano Becchio slammed home the resulting spot kick to give the home side the lead.

Elmohamady then equalised when he capitalised on a shocking clearance to fire into the far corner.

Six minutes later and Hull were ahead through centre half Faye who is making quite the name for himself in the goal department.

A swift counter attack by City resulted in Koren curling the ball beyond the reach of Paddy Kenny in the Leeds goal making it 3-1 to the Tigers.

A late consolation goal by Andy Gray set up a nervy ending but it finished 3-2 and it was Hull City who claimed the bragging rights over their Yorkshire rivals.

Sunday 23 September Leicester 3-1 Tigers Former manager Nigel Pearson got one over on his former employees as a David Nugent hat-trick ended a three game winning run for the Tigers.

It was a frustrating day for Hull City who struggled to play the free flowing football that had

www.tigernationonline.com David Nugent a result this was, Peterborough had the worst record in the entire football league.

seen them climb to fourth in the table. Nugent gave the home side the lead as early as the 7th minute but City pegged them back in the 26th minute when an Elmohamady cross was turned in by Jay Simpson.

Nugent again put Leicester back into the lead just before half-time.

Chances were at a premium during the second half but after Steve Bruce introduced Nick Proschwitz the German almost levelled into stoppage time. A corner was played in and a Proschwitz header was goal bound only to be cleared off the line where Leicester broke and scored a breakaway goal. A killer blow for City.

Saturday 29 September Tigers 1-3 Peterborough Arguably the most disappointing performance of the season as relegation threatened Peterborough United pulled off a shock win.

Emile Sinclair is well known with the Yorkshire club after he dumped them out of the Carling Cup with a brace for Macclesfield Town last season.

It was Sinclair again who would return to haunt the side bagging a hat-trick which saw Peterborough end a seven match losing run.

Jay Simpson pulled a goal back at 2-0 but it was a mere consolation when Sinclair scored his third in the 73rd minute.

To put into perspective how bad

Tuesday 2 October Tigers 2-3 Blackpool The losing run continued after Hull City had a defensive horror show when Blackpool visited the KC Stadium on a cold Tuesday night in Yorkshire.

In-form Matt Phillips turned in a Nathan Delfouneso cross to give the Seasiders the lead in the 11th minute.

Jay Simpson could and probably should have got the equaliser shortly after but his effort was blazed high over the bar. Two penalty claims were then waved away by the referee, the second appearing to be a blatant handball from

from Blackpool’s Tiago Gomes.

City’s efforts were rewarded minutes later when Sone Aluko produced a goal of the season contender. Collecting the ball just past the half-way line he turned his man marker and advanced towards the goal and unleashed a thunderous shot from 25 yards which fizzed into the bottom left corner.

Aluko then turned provider when his cross found Stephen Quinn on the by-line who fired into the net.

Hull pressed for a third and more importantly that killer goal but both Faye and Quinn missed chances. The Tigers were made to pay for their inability to see the game out when Tangerines substitute Kevin Phillips bundled the ball in.

Ian Holloway then introduced Nouha Dicko and he completed the turnaround on the 83rd minute when he produced a brilliant overhead kick to give Blackpool all three points.

Arguably the most disappointing performance of the season as Peterborough pull off a shock win.

Bruce shows his frustration

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www.tigernationonline.com Proschwitz celebrates his first and second goals for Hull

News broke at the start of October that striker Matty Fryatt could be out for the season having suffered a setback in his recovery following an Achilles injury. Bruce described the injury: “It’s devastating news but we just have to deal with it.” It is a massive blow to our promotion aspirations to lose our star striker who had been the top scorer the previous two seasons.

Saturday 6 October Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Tigers Aaron Mclean’s only goal ended Hull City’s poor run of form and conceded Sheffield Wednesday to yet another defeat.

Due to injuries to Joe Dudgeon, Alex Bruce and Robert Koren, Bruce changed to a more orthodox 4-4-2 with Andy Dawson, Liam Rosenior and Paul McKenna all coming into the side.

The Owls thought they had taken the lead in the 19th minute but a Miguel Llera header was saved off the line by Elmohamady.

The lively Michail

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Antonio was causing the City back line no end of problems and had numerous shots and a penalty appeal turned down.

Jay Simpson was replaced by Mclean in the second half and his impact was almost instant after latching onto an Aluko flick on he fired a shot into the bottom left corner.

Saturday 20 October Tigers 2-1 Ipswich Nick Proschwitz managed to rescue the spoils as the Tigers came from a goal down to win 2-1.

Ipswich are notorious for giving us a good game and usually winning and it looked like today would be no different.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas beat both Liam Rosenior and Paul McShane on the left flank before firing the ball into the net from a tight angle. A fine goal.

Faye and Dawson both had efforts saved and DJ Campbell raced through but he was stopped by Amos. Bruce brought on the big German striker in the 71st minute and three minutes later we were level after great work from Elmohamady. He beat his man on the right wing and advanced towards the touchline before zipping a low cross into the box which was met by Proschwitz to tap in.

Aluko had a penalty appeal turned down which looked in truth the wrong decision but it didn’t matter as City were pushing forward and got their rewards deep into injury time. The 93rd minute to be exact. Amos threw the ball out to Elmo on the right and swung in a brilliant cross which was flicked into the net by the German for his second in English football.

www.tigernationonline.com Tuesday 20 October Middlesbrough 2-0 Tigers Bruce got his team selection wrong for this game simple as. Having dropped Aluko and Simpson to the bench our attacking threat would be coming from Proschwitz and Mclean. We lacked creativity and it was no surprise Boro prevailed with all three points.

Boro mounted attack after attack with shots from Adam Reach, Marvin Emnes and Grant Leadbitter all testing Amos.

Amos had been subject to criticism from the stands and we saw the best and worst in the space of 20 seconds. A long range shot from Leadbitter was fired in and parried straight into the path of Faris Haroun. It looked for all the world to be 1-0 Boro but Amos managed to stick out a leg to deny the midfielder.

Seb Hines had a header that hit the crossbar but Boro were ahead with their next attack. A counter

Miller puts Boro 2-0 ahead

attack saw Boro break and Haroun rounded Amos and slotted into an empty net. Things went from bad to worst and Boro doubled their lead when former Hull City target Ishmael Miller prodded home after Amos spilled the ball.

A disappointing night at the Riverside which saw the side slip out of the play-off places to 8th.

Sunday 28 October Bristol City 1-2 Tigers Hull City climbed back into the play-off positions with a 2-1 victory away at Ashton Gate against Bristol City in front of the

Sky cameras.

Five changes were made to the side that slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Boro the previous game and the 3-5-2 formation was once again implemented.

The impact of this change was immediate and 8 minutes in the Tigers were ahead. Quinn turned his man near the halfway line before playing a pass to Simpson who playing a one-two with Aluko with the latter advancing into the box splitting the centre halves. Aluko then calmly smashed the ball past Tom Heaton in the Bristol net a truly sublime goal and a goal of the season contender.

Bristol had levelled on the 26th minute when Steven Davies fired in a leveller but it was City who took all three points back to Yorkshire.

The second goal albeit fortuitous came after Aluko had a stunning curling shot saved. Rosenior collected the ball near the byline before drilling a cross into the box that was turned into the net by Bristol player Cole Skuse.

Prior to the game we received news that defender Joe Dudgeon would be out for the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury which required surgery.

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www.tigernationonline.com a goal-kick. Simpson, however managed to fire a shot in from the narrowest of angles and found the back of the net.

Wolves brought on Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and halved the deficit when a low cross which was missed by McShane deflecting in off James Chester into the net.

On the 8 November Hull City announced the loan signing of Sunderland player David Meyler until 1 January 2013.

Aluko finding the net against Barnsley

Bruce, “The way Aluko is playing, is there a better player in the Championship?

Saturday 3 November Tigers 1-0 Barnsley It was that man again Sone Aluko who would be our saviour and not for the first time this season as he bagged the only goal of the game over local rivals Barnsley.

The Nigerian had been in scintillating form ahead of the fixture and it was no surprise when he opened the scoring in the 16th minute.

Further attempts by Koren and Simpson were kept out by the impressive Jason Steele. The second half was a different affair and Barnsley came at Hull but City held on for the victory.

The win now means we have won four out of the five Yorkshire derbies and moved the Tigers into 5th in the table.

A day before the Wolves game Robbie Brady made his return to the KC Stadium on an emergency loan deal from Manchester United.

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Tuesday 6 November Tigers 2-1 Wolves Jay Simpson’s second half goal was the difference as the Tigers made it three wins on the trot against Wolves.

Following his arrival one day prior to the game Robbie Brady had to settle for a place on the bench.

The home side took a deserved lead with a wonderfully struck free kick from 25 yards from Sone Aluko in the 29th minute.

City doubled their advantage shortly after restarting the secondhalf with a bordering on ridiculous shot. Koren had played a pass into Simpson but it was heading for

Saturday 10 November Cardiff 2-1 Tigers An eagerly anticipated game with two clubs both vying for promotion, the Cardiff match was a big game in the context of the season.

The Tigers got off to the worst possibly start after a Craig Noone cross was met by the head of Heidar Helguson to give the home side the lead inside 3 minutes.

Cardiff had several chances to extend the lead but City gradually came back into the game and a controversial twist took place just before half-time. The referee had allowed six minutes added time due to an injury. Elmohamady pulled the ball back on the right wing for Quinn whose shot was blocked but the rebound fell to Simpson who found the net. 1-1 it seemed but the assistant had other ideas and flagged for a handball in the process. It was a marginal call which went against the away side but one that could well have changed the complexion

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Aluko returned to St Andrews for the first time since leaving of it.

Recent loan signings, Robbie Brady and David Meyler were introduced in the second period but neither could make a lasting impact.

The Blue Birds wrapped up all three points with eight minutes left in the game when Cardiff skipper Mark Hudson scored a diving header.

Robert Koren scored a consolation goal with a brilliant curling effort but it was too little too late.

Saturday 17 November Birmingham 2-3 Tigers Sone Aluko returned to haunt his former club with a dazzling display which saw him bag a brace. The Tigers aimed to bounce back from the defeat against Cardiff and

most certainly did that in the firsthalf racing into a 3-0 lead.

Our first attack set the tone of the first-half when Aluko beat the offside trap inside six minutes but his shot was saved by Jack Butland.

Aluko soon escaped it again and made no mistake second time around. The in-form playmaker doubled his and City’s tally for the day in the 26th minute when he fired in a low shot past Butland.

The game was all about Aluko and he turned provider when his inswinging cross was met by James Chester making it 3-0.

Ravel Morrison then popped up with a beauty of a strike before the interval to give Birmingham hope but the damage was already done.

Former striker Marlon King got on the scoresheet a mere 21 seconds after the second half had started to set up a nervy remainder of the game but City held on for all three points.

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www.tigernationonline.com Steve Bruce brought in Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale on a loan deal until 2 January 2013, after some poor performances from on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Amos who returned to Old Trafford.

Saturday 24 November Tigers 0-1 Burnley Hull City slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Burnley which saw them lose ground on the automatic promotion places. Former player Dean Marney grabbed the only goal on the came just before half-time and had the audacity to celebrate right in front of the fans.

Marney finds the back of the net against his former club

The goal came just before the break but in truth the match was one of pure frustration. The second half consisted of attack after attack from the Tigers but they couldn’t find the net much to the disappointment of the home crowd.

The result meant City slipped out of the play-offs and remained well adrift of the automatic positions.

Tuesday 27 November Tigers 0-0 Crystal Palace A game of missed chances at the KC Stadium between high flying

Robert Koren misses a golden chance Crystal Palace and Hull City which saw both sides settle for a point each.

City had a staggering amount of chances but just failed to put the ball in the back of the net. The best chances falling to the usually reliable Robert Koren who blazed a shot over the bar from close range.

Palace never really had a meaningful shot until injury time at the death when Wilfried Zaha ghosted past Paul McShane on the right wing before firing a shot straight at David Stockdale.

Hull City had 17 shots during the game with only 6 on target compared to Palaces’ 4 with 3 on target. Not one Palace fan could have argued if Steve Bruce had nicked all three points.

Saturday 1 December Nottingham Forrest 1-2 Tigers Kicking off the festive period was a potential tricky away match against Nottingham Forrest. However City, who incidentally had the best away record in the division, took all three points back to East Yorkshire.

A Robert Koren penalty put the away side ahead after David Meyler was fouled inside the box.

Nottingham Forrest were level moments after via a penalty of their own and Billy Sharp smashed the

Dean Marney had the audacity to celebrate in front of the home support

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ball into the top right-hand corner.

Adlene Guedioura had a shot from long range but it failed to trouble the City keeper. Forrest were controlling possession but lacked that killer pass so when Paul McShane bundled the ball into the net it came against the run of play. Replays suggested that the Irish international used his hand to put the ball in the net but the travelling Tigers support didn’t care.

The win means Hull moved upto 5th in the table on 35 points and were now only three points adrift of Cardiff in second place.

Saturday 8 December Watford 1-2 Tigers Free scoring Watford were up next in a packed schedule and a win would really push the side up the table.

The Tigers settled well in the game and Koren tested Manuel Almunia from all of 30 yards.

Chances were at a premium in the first half with both sides cancelling each other out.

City broke the deadlock four minutes from the break when Corry Evans struck a vicious shot from outside the box only for the rebound to cannon off the bar.

Luckily David Meyler was on hand and headed in his first goal in the black and amber.

The hornets improved second half but were denied by first David Stockdale when he superbly saved a Mark Yeates free-kick, then the post denied substitute Almen Abdi.

Robbie Brady then curled a 25yard free-kick over the Watford wall and into the back of the net after Fitz Hall had brought down Meyler.

Troy Deeney grabbed a consolation goal late on but the points belonged to the Tigers.

Saturday 15 December Tigers 2-0 Huddersfield Goals from Robert Koren and David Meyler secured the local bragging rights over Huddersfield Town and moved the club to within a point of automatic promotion.

From minute one Huddersfield were on the back foot with City passing the ball around with conviction and ease.

It came as no surprise when Hull took the lead when Koren finished off a beautiful passing move. Jack Hobbs should have scored just before half-time but his header from a Robbie Brady cross was just wide.

The Tigers were in complete control of the match but spurned a number of chances and Huddersfield were yet to test Stockdale.

Simon Grayson’s side were in danger of slipping into a relegation dog fight and the writing was on the wall with regards to the result when Meyler scored for the second game running. There was still late drama to have when Alan Lee was chasing the ball he ran past Alex Bruce and slung an elbow in his face. A furious Bruce confronted Lee who collapsed to the floor suggesting he had been

head butted and Bruce was shown a straight red card.

Friday 21 December Derby 1-2 Tigers Hull City’s superb start to December continued with a 2-1 victory away at Derby putting the side level on points with Cardiff at the top of the table.

Captain Koren opened the scoring after neat work from Stephen Quinn who beat a man then crossed for the Slovenian to volley home from 15 yards.

Nigel Clough’s side, who had only lost once at home prior to the game, were playing some good football and they got on level terms in first half injury time.

A Derby set-piece was headed out

by Faye only to find Michael Jacobs on the edge of the box who hammered home a thunderous drive into the net.

A definite goal of the season contender for Derby County no doubt.

Faye then made amends when he nodded in a corner by Robbie Brady to earn his side their seventh win from twelve Championship away games.

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Sone Aluko was awarded the November Player of the Month award after being in superb form which had seen him score four goals. Speaking about winning the award Aluko said: “I feel very happy and blessed to receive the November npower Championship Player of the Month award in a league with so many top players and internationals.�

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www.tigernationonline.com Wednesday 26 December Tigers 0-0 Leicester A game that failed to live up to the billing. It was the return of Nigel Pearson to the KC Stadium after his acrimonious departure for Leicester City.

However a 0-0 draw helped neither side in their quest for automatic promotion and left City five points behind league leaders Cardiff City.

It was a game of wasted chances the best coming from City when Jay Simpson had his shot cleared off the line by Richie de Laet.

Tuesday 1 January Blackpool 0-0 Tigers A dull 0-0 in every sense of the phrase, a typically high scoring fixture reversed the trend this season.

The game was played on a pitch more akin to building sandcastles rather than playing football and was the cause for the lack of free flowing football.

Meyler and Aluko both had long range efforts saved by the Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks but in truth a draw was a fair reflection of the match.

Saturday 29 December Tigers 2-0 Leeds United A dominant performance from start to finish by the Tigers over rivals Leeds United to ensure Steve Bruce got the double over the Whites for the first time since the 1987-88 season.

In truth 2-0 flattered the away side in what was to be near enough the complete performance by City closing the gap on Cardiff at the top, whilst also extending the unbeaten run to seven.

Robert Koren was guilty of wasting a chance inside five minutes when he pounced on a mistake from Alan Tate but his shot was wide.

Elmohamady was a constant thorn in Leeds’ side and fired a brilliant cross in from the right which Brady should have done better with.

Despite not being rewarded for their first half dominance it was a very pleasing display. However in the second half the pressure took its toll and Corry Evans slotted past Paddy Kenny in the Leeds goal.

Three minutes later and the game was over when David Meyler headed in a corner from Brady. A superb month for the Tigers which had seen them win five and draw one of their six games.

With the January transfer window

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opening Steve Bruce acted fast and made the loan deals of Robbie Brady and David Meyler permanent for a combined fee of ÂŁ3.5 million with both players penning three and a halfyear deals.

Saturday 5 January Tigers 1-1 Leyton Orient The less said about this game the better. A thoroughly disjointed performance and a far cry from the

www.tigernationonline.com league displays we have been showing. Spared only very late on by a Proschwitz goal the Tigers will have to visit Leyton Orient if they want to progress to the next round of the FA Cup and put in a much better performance to boot.

Saturday 12 January Tigers 1-3 Sheffield Wednesday Another game to forget for Hull City as Sheffield Wednesday pulled off a David Meyler celebrates his goal against Leeds

shock 3-1 win at the KC Stadium.

The away side took the lead in the 24th minute through a Reda Johnson header which was his first goal since September 19.

The Tigers should have been level when Aluko played a smart ball which cut open the defence to find Koren one-on-one with Chris Kirkland who saved well.

The Owls thought they had extended their lead when Giles Coke poked the ball past Jakupovic in the City goal but it was ruled out. Koren then got City back into it with a header from an Elmohamady cross.

Minutes later disaster struck when a Miguel Llera corner was pushed into the Hull net by Jakupovic a shocking error who also received a knee to the face from Johnson.

Jakupovic had to be subbed and taken to hospital but it was 3-1 in injury time when a Wednesday counter attack was finished by Michail Antonio.

Tuesday 15 January Leyton Orient 1-2 Tigers (AET) We had to do it the hard way but City in the hat for the fourth round of the FA Cup after a 2-1 extra time win over Leyton Orient.

A stunning Proschwitz goal put the away side ahead when he chested and volleyed the ball from the edge of the box into the top right corner.

Chances were limited on a cold Tuesday night and Orient could count themselves unlucky after they had two goals disallowed.

The home side did eventually get level in the 87th minute when a Dean Cox cross flew over the head of Jakupovic in the City goal.

The match

looked to be heading to penalties but in the 117th minute Tom Cairney struck a low shot from the edge of the box which trickled into the net.

Following on from the news about Matty Fryatt Hull City received a similar blow, this time to star playmaker Sone Aluko. The 23-year-old has also suffered an Achilles injury and would likely to be out for two months.

Saturday 19 January Peterborough 1-1 Tigers The Friday night win for Leicester over Boro saw them climb above Hull and into second in the table meaning a win against Peterborough was paramount to get back into the automatic places.

Unfortunately City were undone by a late Grant McCann penalty. City had taken the lead albeit in fortunate circumstances when Joe Newell put the ball into the back of his own net.

The result means City were 10 points off Cardiff City and level on points with Leicester in second.

Saturday 26 January Tigers 0-1 Barnsley It was another disappointing day at the office for Hull City as they exited the FA Cup in the fourth round against Barnsley.

For all their endeavours just getting to the fourth round to exit at the next stage was very disappointing, especially to a goal late on in the match.

Both Seyi Olofinjana and Robbie Brady were denied in the first half by the Tykes keeper Luke Steele. City shaded the game up until the interval but the away side gained in confidence as the game progressed.

Former City target Marlon Harewood had a shot from 20 yards saved by Jakupovic before Steele once again denied Brady from a free-kick.

Jakupovic pulled off a smart double save from first Chris Dagnall then Harewood but Dagnell made no mistake with the rebound.

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Steve Bruce was named the npower Championship Manager of the Month for December. A superb month which was on paper a very tough set of fixtures. The Tigers managed five wins from a possible six drawing the other game. With games coming thick and fast around the Christmas break it was a superb effort from the boys to come away from the month with 16 points from a possible 18.

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www.tigernationonline.com On transfer deadline day Steve Bruce pulled off another coup in the loan signings of Ahmed Fathy and Mohamed “Gedo” Nagy from Al-Ahly.

Bruce also extended the loan deal for Ahmed Elmohamdy to the end of the season completing the Egyptian trio.

Saturday 2 February Millwall 0-1 Tigers Hull City got back to winning ways with a hard fought 1-0 win over Millwall making it six Championship matches on the road unbeaten.

People had barely taken to their seats when Meyler had put the Tigers ahead. A Mark Beevers back pass was under hit and Meyler pounced to open the scoring 45 seconds into the game.

The game wasn’t the most pleasing on the eye and City had further Gedo

chances to extend the lead through Elmohamady, Quinn and Simpson.

Saturday 9 February Brighton 1-0 Tigers A bad day all-round for the Tigers in front of the Sky cameras as a late Brighton goal condemned the side to a rare away defeat.

The Tigers were second best for the majority of the game in truth.

Stockdale kept City in the game with a string of saves from David Lopez and Andrea Orlandi.

Brady and the lively Elmohamady had chances to put City ahead but both were thwarted by Tomasz Kuszczak.

Recent loan signing Gedo was brought on in the second half but he couldn’t really impact on the game.

With the amount of space City were given we should have won the game by two or three goals but we just couldn’t find the target.

Seven minutes from time and Brighton were ahead and had won all three points. A free-kick was awarded on the edge of the City box and up stepped Vicente who fired it under the wall.

Tuesday 12 February Tigers 2-1 Derby A late Elmohamady goal sent Hull City back into second spot after a 2-1 home victory over Derby.

The first half was poor by our usual high standards and not many chances were created but the game was set alight in the second half.

New loan signing Gedo was brought on and his impact was instant

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Gedo bags his first in goal in English football

Bruce: “The boy Gedo showed hi baller and I think he’s got 19 goa got qu when he found the net 47 seconds after coming on, heading in a Brady cross.

Gedo almost had his second in English football and City’s second but his volley was fired over.

Connor Sammon threatened to level the game when he struck the crossbar.

Derby were however level in the 84th minute when Jamie Ward punished Stockdale for a keeping error.

David Meyler celebrates another goal

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Egyptian star Gedo rewarded the faith put in him by manager Steve Bruce for giving him a home debut with the only goal of the game.

Meyler was unlucky not to add another goal to his tally when his header was cleared off the line by Dale Stephens after he had beaten keeper Ben Hamer.

Hamer played a part in the opener after his punch failed to connect with the ball from a Brady cross and Gedo was on hand to tap in. The goal was his second in three games and looked to be a real threat in the box.

Meyler thought he had grabbed the second of the game but his effort was block by former Tiger Leon Cort.

Stockdale denied Danny Haynes is class. He’s an international foot- after he combined with Bradley als in 30 games so we know he has Wright-Phillips late on to ensure all uality.� three points stayed in Yorkshire.

The goal only gave the home side the impetus to go and get another and four minutes later Elmohamady headed in a Brady delivery.

Gareth Roberts was then sent for an early bath after the Rams player dived in on Proschwitz.

The win move City back into the top two.

Saturday 16 February Tigers 1-0 Charlton

Score like an Egyptian

Tuesday 19 February Tigers 2-0 Blackburn Three home games on the trot yielded three impressive wins. It was the Egyptians again who were the difference as Gedo grabbed his third in four games and Elmo rounded off the win.

Gedo broke the deadlock when he side-footed in a Quinn cross for yet another goal in English football.

A Meyler header was superbly saved by debutant Jake Kean in the Blackburn goal. Further efforts were saved by Kean from Elmohamady and Quinn.

The game was one of constant City pressure and it was 2-0 when Elmohamady volleyed in from a tight angle.

It was a really pleasing home display against a side littered with former Premier League players and the score line flattered the away side.

The win move City to within seven points of Cardiff City at the top.

Prior to the Bolton away fixture Bruce pulled another major signing in the form of George Boyd on an emergency loan. With Boyd being out of contract at Peterborough United he agreed a twoyear deal at City on the expiration of his current deal. He had been set to sign for Nottingham Forrest in the January transfer window but failed his medial on eye sight grounds. The loss to Forrest is the gain of Hull City and he will no doubt be a success.

Boyd is a Tiger Saturday 23 February Bolton 4-1 Tigers A calamitous opening ten minutes from Hull City set the tone for a dismal evening at the Reebok Stadium.

Having come into the game not conceding a goal in the previous fixtures you can be forgiven for being shocked at the start to the match.

Bolton were ahead in the second minute when Darren Pratley headed in the first of the game. Mark Davies then struck in an 18-yard shot past Stockdale to give Bolton a 2-0 advantage.

Craig Dawson got his first of the tie

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www.tigernationonline.com when his glancing header was adjudged to have crossed the line giving Bolton a 3-0 lead inside seven minutes.

Marvin Sordell nearly made it 4 but his effort struck the post, Hull were shellshocked and didn’t know what had hit them.

Brady scored from a free-kick in the second half but Bolton got a fourth when Dawson got his second of the game.

Saturday 2 March Tigers 5-2 Birmingham Hull City bounced back from the Bolton horror show with a resounding 5-2 win over Birmingham City at the KC Stadium.

Home debutant George Boyd wasted no time when he rounded Jack Butland after 45 seconds when a neat ball from Brady put him through to put the Tigers ahead.

Gedo then got in on the act after he outpaced Steven Caldwell to poke past Butland to double the advantage in the 11th minute.

Boyd then got a second goal after a lucky deflection off the Birmingham defence fell to him and he stroked the ball into the bottom left corner.

It was a thoroughly dominant first half display from the Tigers and it kept on getting better in the secondhalf when Koren was allowed far too much room and he smashed a shot from the edge of the box in.

Elmohamady then crossed the ball from the right hand side of the box to find

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Gedo who headed in giving him his second and Hull’s fifth of the match.

Peter Lovenkrands then got a consolation for the Blues in the 83rd minute when his shot got deflected off Jack Hobbs and looped over Stockdale.

Chris Burke pulled another goal back for Birmingham in injury time but the game was well and truly over by then. This result had been coming all season a game when all our chances seemed to go in and a result that lifted the Tigers into 2nd position.

Tuesday 5 March Crystal Palace 4-2 Tigers Former transfer target Kevin Phillips stole the show with a hat-trick as Crystal Palace beat promotion chasing Hull City 4-2.

The home side were awarded a penalty after David Meyler bundled over Jonathan Williams but Stockdale saved Glen Murray’s penalty attempt.

Stockdale very nearly gifted the Eagles a goal when he dropped a Jacob Butterfield cross at the feet Boyd bags a brace against Birmingam

Quinn celebrates his decisive goal of Peter Ramage but Elmohamady was on hand to clear on the line.

The big talking point of the half unfolded in first half injury time when Jack Hobbs was adjudged to have handled the ball when he slid to block a shot. It was a shocking decision and changed the game.

Referee Mark Heywood pointed to the spot and this time Kevin Phillips took the spot kick and fired home.

Things got better for Palace after the interval when Zaha’s pass found Phillips in the box who shot into the ground and beat Stockdale.

A minute later and it was 3-0, Zaha collected the ball in his own

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half and fed Phillips who from the edge of the box fired in a shot which got deflected over Stockdale.

Simpson then headed in a cross from the right in the 73rd minute but any celebrations of a comeback were short lived when Zaha tucked the ball past Stockdale from a tight angle.

David Meyler heading in a Brady free-kick in injury time but the points belonged to Palace in a disappointing display.

Monday 11 March Burnley 0-1 Tigers Burnley away and in front of the Sky cameras was a recipe for

Boyd proves nothing is wrong with his eyesight

disaster but lo and behold Stephen Quinn to the rescue in a 1-0 win.

Typically Burnley have been our bogey team in recent seasons and we are typically camera shy so this was a big result for the club.

The game was even more important as Watford had picked up points over the weekend and overtaken us to 2nd position.

The bobbly pitch stifled our usual slick passing moves and had 1-0 written all over it at half-time with not many chances to speak of.

Boyd and Gedo both had chances stopped but a masterstroke by Steve Bruce won the game. Bruce brought on Simpson and Koren and within minutes it paid off when Koren crossed for Simpson who laid the ball off to Quinn who sliced a shot into the corner of the net.

The goal proved to be decisive in what was a win that ended a three game losing streak away from home.

Saturday 16 March Tigers 1-2 Nottingham Forrest The build-up to this game revolved around George Boyd who had been set for a move to Forrest in January but failed a medical on deadline day due to his eye sight.

The first real chance opened the scoring and who else but George Boyd managed to find the net with a swivelling volley over the Forrest keeper. Cue a superb glasses celebration straight in front of the travelling

support.

The visitors responded when a Simon Cox volley struck the crossbar and fell to Darius Henderson who nut-megged Stockdale with the rebound.

With both sides chasing all three points it was Forrest who took the spoils when a Billy Sharp flick on fell to Lewis McGugan who found the back of the net in the 84th minute.

City should have levelled the game late on when a Brady set piece hit the Forrest post and fell to Simpson but his shot was scrambled clear.

Meyler went close but his headed effort was saved off the line before Gedo missed from point blank range.

Saturday 30 March Huddersfield 0-1 Tigers The West Yorkshire Police stance over this game was the main talking point before kick-off with travel restrictions being placed on the Tigers. Consequently many boycotted the game in favour of a protest march from Huddersfield town centre to the ground. Only 400 City fans were in attendance of the game with many standing up for their freedom of rights to watch a game of football.

However the lack of support didn’t matter as a second half strike from George Boyd ensured all three points were heading back to East Yorkshire.

After a dismal first half showing from both sides on a tricky surface the game sprung into life 30 seconds after the restart.

A brilliantly weighted through ball from Simpson saw Boyd race through who struck a ferocious shot first time into the

e Sheer delight from Bruc

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Bruce is gutted after the

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Watford defeat

top corner of the net.

Going behind spurred the home side on and had chances through James Vaughan and Neil Danns but City held firm.

Stockdale almost gifted Huddersfield a draw in the dying embers of the game when he spilled a free-kick but Corry Evans pulled of a stunning sliding tackle to deny any shot on goal.

The win now means Hull are four points clear of Watford in third place and only four behind league leaders Cardiff City.

Tuesday 2 April Tigers 0-1 Watford If ever there was a promotion sixpointer it was the Tuesday night game against Watford. Gianfranco Zola’s team arrived at the KC Stadium knowing a defeat would see the Tigers stretch their advantage to seven points.

After a promising looking opening ten minutes in which City forged a number of chances from set piece situations. However once Watford settled into their rhythm they were far the better team.

Cristian Battocchio and Matej Vydra both had chances but failed to find the back of the net. Almen Abdi and Vydra combined in a neat build up before feeding the ball to Troy Deeney who curled a beautiful shot beyond Stockdale in the 41st minute.

City should have got back on level

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terms in first half stoppage time when a Brady corner found Boyd unmarked but his shot hit Jonathan Bond’s feet from close range.

In the second half it was one way traffic with the Tigers pushing for that equaliser with Bond saving numerous efforts on goal.

Jay Simpson fluffed a glorious chance and Robbie Brady and Robert Koren both had tame shots saved. But Watford held on for the win and blew the race for automatic promotion wide open.

Saturday 6 April Tigers 1-0 Middlesbrough Celebration time

Hull City established a three point cushion over third placed Watford with a 1-0 win over Tony Mowbray’s Middlesbrough.

Watford had played the day before and drew 0-0 with current leaders Cardiff City meaning a win would open up a gap in the race to the Premier League.

But it was the visitors who had got off to the better of starts with Newcastle loanee Sammy Ameobi with the first chance of the game after he ghosted past Corry Evans but his shot was saved by Stockdale.

Only half chances were created in the first half and captain Koren had a trade mark long shot saved well by Jason Steele.

Boro were creating the better of the chances but the game turned in the home sides favour in the 62nd minute. Robbie Brady had a free-kick on the edge of the box who curled it around the wall and bounced in front of Steele who could only help it into the net.

City held on for the win in what was to be a massive three points.

Brady celebrates his goal

Saturday 13 April Ipswich 1-2 Tigers Hull City took a massive step towards the Premier League after they beat Ipswich 2-1 and elsewhere Watford were beaten by Peterborough 3-2.

City started by far the better of the team and Ipswich looked every inch a team struggling with the threat of relegation hanging over them.

The pressure told as the Tigers were awarded a penalty in the 28th minute when David Meyler was bundled over by Guirane N’Daw’s challenge. Robbie Brady stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way.

The half ended with no other real chances for either sides but as news was filtering through about the Watford score the Tiger Nation was joyous on the away terrace.

Abdoulaye Faye wasted a chance as his header was straight at keeper Scott Loach before denying Brady a second of the match.

The home side were level 10 minutes after the restart when Anthony Wordsworth headed in after a mix up between James Chester and David Stockdale.

Both sides pushed on for respective winners but it was the away side who prevailed in the 83rd minute after great wing play from Brady allowed him to lift a cross into the box for Koren to head home.

The win now means City are six points clear of Watford with four games remaining.

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Promotion to the Premier League is now in the hands of the Tigers.

Tuesday 16 April Wolves 1-0 Tigers Relegation candidates Wolves pulled off a shock 1-0 win over high flying Hull City with the only goal of the game coming in the second half courtesy of Kevin Doyle.

A drab first half

was nearly ignited when Stephen Quinns’ shot fired just wide of Dorus De Vries’ top corner. City were content in possession but threatened little and the only chance of the half Wolves had was a long range effort from Tongo Doumbia which didn’t threaten Stockdale in the Tigers goal.

The game was flipped on its head 10 minutes into the second half when Ahmed Fathi was dispossessed by Doumbia who fed the ball to Bjorn Siguardarson. The Icelandic international then advanced to the Tigers box and fed Doyle who slotted in for his eighth of the campaign.

The Tigers pushed on in vein and had chances through Jay Simpson and Robbie Brady but it was Wolves who looked the likelier to score.

The result was a bitter pill to swallow but elsewhere Millwall scored a late goal to win against Watford which put City in a better position despite the loss. Six points clear with three games remaining.

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George Boyd was crowned Player of the Month for March after an impressive spell which saw him score four goals in five game following his arrival on loan from Peterborough. Fellow Hull City player David Meyler said this on his award: “He’s fully deserved the Player of the Month. For a player that’s only got one eye he’s terrific! He’s scored some crucial goals for us and no doubt he’ll keep doing that.”

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Fryatt makes his comeback Friday 19 April Tigers 0-0 Bristol City Hull City edged a step closer to the Premier League with a 0-0 draw at home to recently relegated Bristol City.

A win for the Tigers would mean Watford would have had to beat Blackburn the following day in order to delay the promotion party but in truth the game was a dire affair.

City lacked the flowing passing game which had seen them climb up the league table and had to wait until the 93rd minute to register the first shot on target through David Meyler, who should have scored.

Matty Fryatt made a welcome return to the side following his Achilles surgery and had a decent chance to get a shot on goal in the first minute but he took too long on the ball and was tackled.

Albert Adomah was a constant

Bruce is furious

threat to the City team but his shots did little to test Stockdale.

Bruce reacted to the danger and brought off the front pairing of Fryatt and Gedo for Proschwitz and Simpson but neither had any clear cut chances to win the game.

Saturday 27 April Barnsley 2-0 Tigers Watford well and truly put the pressure on Hull City having beaten Blackburn and Leicester on Friday to come within a point of the Tigers before they travelled to Barnsley on Saturday.

A win for City would have got them promoted in front of 5900 travelling Tigers fans but they failed to deliver in one of the most disappointing performances of the season.

The away support was quietened as early as the fourth minute when Jacob Melis was allowed to run towards the right hand side of Faye and Mcshane look shellshocked

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the box to where he unleashed a thunderous shot which hit the bar and went in.

The goal sparked City into life and if George Boyd low cross had been better Matty Fryatt would have been on hand to tap in. A quick free-kick from Quinn played in Boyd on the left and with the Jason Steele advancing he chipped him but it was headed off the line.

The second period started much like the first and again Barnsley scored through Chris O’Grady when fired in a low shot into the corner of the net. Hull now had a mountain to climb if they were to get promoted today.

Manager Bruce brought on Proschwitz who had a chance when the ball was played over but instead of volleying he opted to head and it sailed over.

McShane then had a header from a corner go narrowly wide but the damage was already done and the race for automatic promotion would go down to the final day of the Championship season.

Hull City entertain champions Cardiff City at home knowing only a win would do if Watford beat Leeds United at home.

Bradycelebrates his goal

Saturday 4 May Tigers 2-2 Cardiff Hull City were promoted to the Premier League in the most dramatic of fashions after a 2-2 draw with Cardiff at the KC Stadium.

Manager Steve Bruce made a bold move by changing the formation to 4-4-2 and opting to play our left wing-back Robbie Brady up front.

A wall of noise greeted the players as the KC was turned into a sea of black and amber stripes in what was to be the most important game of the season.

45 games had been played and either Hull City or Watford were 90 minutes away from the Premier League.

City started very brightly and with Elmohamady now playing the right wing role he had licence to go forward knowing Liam Rosenior would be behind him covering.

Boyd knocked Quinn’s pass into the path of the make shift striker Brady but his shot was well over the bar early on.

Jordan Mutch had a shot fizz just wide of Stockdale’s left corner and at the other end Brady stung the palms of David Marshall in the Cardiff goal with a long range effort.

Elsewhere at Watford a long delay had taken place due to an injury to their keeper meaning their game was likely to finish well after the game at the KC Stadium.

News began to filter through just before half-time that Leeds had taken an unexpected lead which was celebrated wildly by the Tiger Nation.

However the celebrations were short lived and during the halftime interval at the KC Watford

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managed to find an equaliser meaning the whole Tigers support would be on tender hooks for the second period.

Cardiff boss Malky Mackay brought on former Hull loanee Fraizer Campbell for the second half and within minutes the Bluebirds were ahead. A superb ball from Kim Bo-Kyung split the central defensive pairing allowing Campbell to stroke

and the referee pointed for the spot.

The City fans thought it was the fulltime whistle and a mini pitch invasion ensured. Once all the spectators were off the pitch Nick Proschwitz stepped up only to have the penalty saved. Then right down the other end Cardiff went and a long throw went into the City box and the ref deemed Faye to have handled the ball. Up stepped the returning Nicky McShane celebrates his goal against Cardiff

the ball into the net.

9 minutes later and City were level after a David Meyler shot was parried to the left hand side of the box only for Quinn to chip a neat ball in to find Proschwitz who bundled the ball in.

The fans began to believe they could win this game and were ahead in the 63rd minute when a Brady cross was met by none other than fan favourite Paul McShane who poked the ball home.

News came through at Watford that influential player Troy Deeney had been shown a red card and were down to ten men only adding to the belief of the Tigers support.

Cardiff were then reduced to ten men after Andrew Taylor was shown a second yellow for an off the ball incident with Elmohamady.

What happened in the 90th minute onwards was unbelievable. First David Meyler was pushed over in the

Maynard who slotted home the pen 2-2. At the full-time whistle thousands of fans streamed onto the pitch thinking the Tigers were up but the Watford game was yet to finish.

Due to the first-half injury their game would finish 10 minutes after the Hull game. As fans anxiously waited on the pitch with the score at 1-1, Watford only needed a goal to send them up.

Watford were pumping everyone into the box before Ross McCormack was sent through on the Hornets goal only to produce an audacious chipped effort which should have been comfortably saved but the young Watford keeper lost grip and it went in. 2-1 Leeds in injury time.

Back at the KC Stadium the Tigers fans heard about the Leeds goal and celebrated wildly they were heading for the Premier League.

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HULLO PREM

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MIER LEAGUE

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View From The Terrace Name: Matthew Dale Age: 20 Q - How long have you been supporting Hull City?

A - 15 years.

Q - What was your first Hull City

match and what can you remember about it?

A - That would have to be our captain

Robert Koren he has a great eye for a pass and scored some vital goals in the past.

Q - Favourite City goal?

A - Excluding Windass’ famous goal at

A - Hull City vs Scarborough, 1996 or

1997, won 3-0 or 3-1.

Wembley, Koren’s last minute winner vs Leicester last season.

Q - Best game you’ve ever been to?

A - Wembley 24th May 2008 vs Bristol

Q - Favourite ground apart from the

Q - Best moment of your Hull City

ground, apart from the lack of home chanting and heavy handed policing.

A - Promotion to the Premier League.

Q - What do you make of the current

Q - Worst moment as a City fan?

A - First season back in the Cham-

A - Playing good football, the odd de-

City.

supporting life?

pionship – players leaving and debts spiralling.

Q - Your player of the season?

A - Aluko Q - First favourite player to wear the Hull City strip?

A - Probably Duane Darby he was a

strong centre forward. About as fast as a reversing lorry but knew how to hit a ball.

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Q - Favourite current Hull City player?

KC Stadium?

A - Hillsborough was an impressive

team?

fensive frailty but progressing well.

Q - Worst game and best of the season?

A - Peterborough at home for worst, all

bark but no bite and defensive suicide.

Best would have to be Millwall at home, champagne football, first half was the most dominant I had ever seen us.

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Hull City Official Supporters Club Tiger Nation Monthly sits down with Peter Johnson the Hull City Official Supporters Club Press Officer to talk all things about the Tigers.

How would you assess Steve Bruce’s reign?

So far so good. One of the least criticised managers of recent times due to his straight no nonsense yet relaxed style with the media, plus a largely enterprising approach to games. He inspires confidence and looks to be a manager ‘on the up’. I think his stock will already have been raised after a short time at the KC.

What are you opinions on the current crop of players?

We have a decent crop of players but I think there may be more signings to come.

Proschwitz has promise but needs time to develop so a new striker may come in.

Simpson and Aluko work well together but there is still room for a ‘big man’ up front.

We still look a bit lightweight up front in the air. Amos has done well but is a loanee.

Plus with so many bad goals leaked already we may bring a new goal keeper in at some stage. But we seem strong in most areas of the field. There are few weak links and the bench contains players who can slot in, or make an impact, rather than being thrown on in desperation. Long term Injuries to Dudgeon and Fryatt may also encourage like for like replacements at some stage.

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Where did you think we’d finish at the start of the season?

I think Play Offs or just outside, 7th.

What positions would you like strengthening?

The recent addition of David Meyler and the great form of Cory Evans gives us more height and steel in the middle. Until then I felt we needed a ‘thug’ in midfield sometimes when games became physical. I hope one further striker is purchased just to vary things and provide more tactical options.

Player wise who would you like to see join the club and have you got any insider scoops?

No insider scoops but it looks like we are looking at goalkeepers including the current Norway goalie Rune Jarstein who I think would be a good buy. Sinclair and others at Peterborough put on the transfer list may be worth a punt at the right price. But I would like someone similar to Jason Roberts who did a lot to guide Reading into the Premiership last season, on and off the field. QPR might be offloading a few soon. But if you want a name, I have admired Charlie Austin and Jay Rodriguez for a long time now, though they may not be available or affordable.

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There have been a number of players who have impressed this season the likes of Ahmed Elmohamady, Sone Aluko and James Chester but who was your player of the season?

I think Sone Aluko has been a breath of fresh air.

Tremendous acquisition. Consistent, great skill, goals, entertaining. Elmo’s crosses have added a new dimension to our attacking play and Jay Simpson is like a new player, but has looked a touch weary recently. Despite his blunders, Amos has been very good on occasions, and James Chester is just pure quality and I hope we can hang on to him. Liam Rosenior has done well playing out of position. Cory Evans was fantastic against Barnsley and Wolves. Koren has been steady, but Aluko has been player of the season by a long way so far, even if you ignore his goal quality. A bargain and a gem. Other clubs will be watching him.

What are you opinions on the ‘Ulltras movement and their more vocal support?

Particularly in today’s climate, football clubs (and indeed HCOSC) need to embrace all social groups and all types of supporter. So I welcome the Ultras and any attempt to make the KC more atmospheric. It can be very quiet and we need to get behind the team far more.

Is anything being done to improve the KC Stadium atmosphere for example an area to display flags?

Flags are well liked by some of the key managers at the KC and I know they are constantly reviewing how best to use the space available in the Stadium. The HCOSC arranged a demonstration back in February and together with the FSF we are giving support to any move to look at Safe Standing at the KC. Similarly the music etc is regularly reviewed, but probably each of us would have a slightly different idea of what would be appropriate so it is a tough decision.

You will never please all of the people all of the time.

Jay Simpson felt like a new signing with the way he’s been performing would you put this down to him getting a fair crack of the whip or Bruce’s management style?

The re-emergence of Jay Simpson is very interesting. Whilst I don’t know what prompted the huge improvement and new lease of life and enthusiasm, huge credit must go to Steve Bruce.

Bruce gave him a chance to start with a clean slate and Jay has grabbed it. Great credit must go to both player and manager.

What do you make of the new 3-5-2 formation something which Hull City hasn’t really seen before?

The new formation is adventurous and attractive to watch. More than anything I think the KC crowd need to appreciate that whilst we may come unstuck occasionally (eg Peterborough) we will be drawing fewer games, conceding more goals, but hopefully winning more. I think 3-5-2 is enterprising bit it should not be set in a tablet of stone. I think we need to be flexible and adapt to other formations when necessary, either for tactical reasons or due to injuries.

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THE TOP 10 BEST AND 58 WORST SIGNINGS

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FIND OUT WHO YOU THE TIGER NATION HAVE VOTED AS BEING OUR BEST AND WORST SIGNINGS EVER

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THE TOP 10 BEST SIGNINGS 10. Michael Turner

Michael Turner arrived at the club back in July 2006 when Phil Parkinson paid a fee of £350,000 to replace Leon Cort who had followed Peter Taylor to Crystal Palace. The former Brentford centre-half arrived with the weight of expectation looking to plug the gap left by the departed Cort but he managed to develop

into a formidable central defender.

Turner for the best part of six months looked well out of his depth but developed into arguably the best central defender to wear the Hull City shirt.

Whilst we rose through the league ladder Turner went from strength to strength and after adding goals to his game from corners it culminated in

him being linked with an England call up. Turner went onto make 129 appearances for the club scoring 12 goals in his three years at the club. However his departure from the KC Stadium is tinged somewhat after he left for Sunderland in a deal worth a reported £4 million when his valuation was easily over £7 million.

a permanent stay away from Old Trafford with the Tigers. The way the 24-year-old is progressing is phenomenal and that is a word I don’t use lightly.

His ability to read a game is second to none and something more akin to a 30-year-old veteran. His height perhaps may be a stumbling block standing at only 5 feet 10 inches but his positioning

makes up for it. In just three years at the club he has become a key defender and played 106 games in his time. My reasoning for putting him ahead of Michael Turner? I firmly believe if we can hold of interest from other clubs he will become the greatest defender Hull City has ever seen.

9. James Chester

Despite only being signed in 2011

by Nigel Pearson for a marginal £300,000 fee from Manchester United, Chester is fast proving to be one of the best pieces of business ever pulled off at Hull City. Having had three loan spells at Peterborough United, Plymouth Argyle and Carlisle United, Chester finally got

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www.tigernationonline.com 8. Geovanni

The one-time Brazilian international is the biggest player to play for Hull City ever having once been signed by Barcelona for €20 million. Phil Brown pulled off quite the coup managing to persuade the playmaker to join the Tigers on a free transfer from Manchester City.

His impact was immediate when he scored the opening goal in the first ever Premier League game for Hull

City against Fulham. What a goal it was as well, firing a dipping shot into the bottom left hand corner from all of 25 yards beating a helpless Mark Schwarzer. The list of memorable goals went on and on for Geo including a simply stunning goal in the 2-1 win away at Arsenal and an incredible freekick against Tottenham Hotspur. Geovanni contributed to some of the most impressive results the Premier League

has seen in recent years. He was able to change a game in the blink of an eye and provided the Tiger Nation with skill that is unlikely to revisit the area for many years. Whilst his stay in East Yorkshire was short his impact and memories will live long in Hull City folk law. The reasoning why he isn’t higher up is due to his duration at the club being surpassed by people higher than him.

times for City this season scoring 8 goals but when he is on his game he is unplayable. His creative talents are something else and he most defiantly is too good to be plying his trade in the Championship. He is a danger all over the pitch, he can take a free-kick, can smash a shot from outside the box and can finish inside it too. His time at

Hull has yielded eight goals and he was awarded the November player of the month award. However his recent Achilles injury has hampered his progress I firmly believe that if he stays at Hull he will prove to be a brilliant signing.

On the other hand if we do decide to sell we’ll get close to £5 million for the player it’s a win-win situation.

7. Sone Aluko

Many might be surprised by this inclusion having only signed the Nigerian ahead of this season but I think his performances this season speak for themselves. The fact Steve Bruce managed to bring him in on a free is even more surprising following contract disputes with Rangers. The 24-year-old has played 23

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www.tigernationonline.com 6. Nick Barmby

Arguably the best footballer to be born in Hull, Nick Barmby has carved himself quite the career playing for the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Leeds United also notching up 23 England international caps too. Following Leeds United relegation from the top flight Barmby sought pastures new which came in the form of the

Tigers in 2004. Joining on a free transfer Barmby was past his Premier League best but still had plenty to offer the club which was languishing in League One at the time. The midfielder had plenty to offer the side and he helped Hull win promotion to the Championship in his first season. Injuries played a part in his time at the club but all in all his signing was successful he added that touch of

class to the side. He was the player who had been there and done it and was a valued player off the field as on it.

Barmby made 180 appearances for the club scoring 26 times in our rise to the Premier League not bad for an aging midfielder. It’s testament to the player he was that for the majority of the eight years he was at the club when he was on the pitch we tended to be the better side.

joined a Phil Brown managed Hull City on a loan basis with the side battling against relegation from the Championship. Enter Windass and eight goals later the striker had clawed the Tigers to safety whilst relegating rivals Leeds United in the process. A masterstroke of a signing but it didn’t end there.

Windass penned a permanent stay with his boyhood club for a fee of £150,000 and the following season earned cult

status. I’m sure you won’t need reminding of what happenned next but why not relive one of the greatest seasons in our history? Partnering Fraizer Campbell, Deano at the age of 39 rolled back the years and scored 15 goals in 42 games.

The fairy-tale didn’t end there a play-off final was in store against Bristol City. It was only fitting that Deano fired in the winner, a volley from the edge of the box to send the club to the Premier League.

5. Dean Windass

Windass has put pen to paper on a deal with Hull City twice in his career and twice has he saved our club. His first spell with the Tigers was between 1991 and 1995 when he scored 57 goals in 176 games as a youngster. With Hull City facing a winding up order from the HRMC his sale to Aberdeen saved the club going into financial hardship. His second spell came in 2007 when he

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www.tigernationonline.com 4. Andy Dawson

Few could have imagined when we signed a young Andy Dawson on a free from Scunthorpe United he could later become a club legend in his own right. Signed back in 2003 he quickly became a regular under Peter Taylor. It’s fully deserving of

the defender that this season he has earned a testimonial after spending 10 years at the club making 293 appearances in the black and amber. How can you sum up Dawson? Mr Consistency would fit perfectly, the ever reliable left back delivers time after time.

Considering we got him on a free transfer and for him to deliver in every division from the bottom to the top of the footballing pyramid is a remarkable achievement. For a more in-depth look at Dawson take a look at our tribute on page 86.

and won promotion into League 1. Another promotion followed as City were propelled into the Championship with Myhill being the backbone of a strong side. Myhill missed only one league game in the 2004-05 season which proves consistency is the key in the goalkeeping department. Again in the 2005-06 season Myhill missed just the solitary game and he was named the club’s player of the year. The 2007-08 season we again tasted promotion with Myhill once again excelling as a keeper.

Many fans regard THAT save against

Watford as the best they have ever seen.

Throughout all four divisions in English football Myhill proved the critics wrong and even in the Premier League didn’t look out of his depth. It was only a matter of time before a bigger club came in for him in the shape of West Brom and he left for £1.5 million not a bad investment. 257 games in the City shirt and three promotions Myhill has set the standard for City keepers. It just shows how much of a good keeper he was considering our recent plight of loanees who can’t cut the mustard in our goal.

3. Boaz Myhill

I don’t think Myhill himself would have believed when he signed on the dotted line for Hull that he would go onto be a part of three promotions with the pinnacle reaching the Premier League. Boaz was brought to the club by Peter Taylor for a marginal fee of £50,000 back in December 2003. Myhill spent some time out on loan at Macclesfield and upon his return was made the number one keeper at the club. He grew from strength to strength during the initial season

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www.tigernationonline.com 2. Stuart Elliott

The signing of Stuart Elliott was simply unbelievable and that’s without going into his goal scoring record. The left winger on his day was unplayable simple as. Having plied his trade in Scotland with Motherwell for a few seasons he had racked up 22 goals in 70 games for the club. Jan Molby signed the Northern Irish international for £230,000 making him the third highest signing in the club’s history at that time.

In truth looking back that was an absolute steal. His first season saw Elliott finish the top scorer with 12 goals. The second season Elliott hit double figures again with 14 and

the Tigers comfortably won promotion from League Two. Despite being under six foot he was excellent in the air and had a great leap. The 2004-05 campaign was the season when everything Elliott touched found the back of the net.

He scored a staggering 30 goals in all competitions and bearing in mind he is a left winger that is some return. Add to that him spending six weeks out with a broken cheekbone it is some feat what he achieved. The majority of his goals were screamers too from outrageous positions. He himself was instrumental in the second promotion and I honestly don’t think we’ll see another player who will do what he did from the left

flank ever again. The 2005-06 Championship season, Elliott would never be able to compete with his tally of 30 but managed to score 7 goals making him again the top scorer as City managed to avoid the drop. In terms on money spent and performances delivered Stuart Elliott was a fantastic signing for the club.

He was also a gentleman off the field and a cracking ambassador for the club as a whole. During his time with Hull he has played 193 times scoring 65 goals and he will forever be remembered as a key figure in the clubs rise up the league ladder.

TURN OVER TO SEE WHO IS THE NUMBER ONE SIGNING 63

www.tigernationonline.com 1. Ian Ashbee

Our best ever signing as voted for by you the Tiger Nation is Ian Ashbee who joined the club in 2002 under the stewardship of Jan Molby.

His debut couldn’t have ended in a worse fashion for Ashbee as he was shown a red card for two bookable offences. His work rate and eye for a good challenge won over the fans and managers alike and Molby made him captain during his short tenure at the club. Molby’s successor Peter Taylor also saw the leadership that Ashbee brought to the team, a no nonsense lead from the front central midfield general. A dream player to have in your team and an absolute nightmare to play against.

Ashbee broke up opposition attack after attack which paved the way for the attacking players to do their business. Ash bagged the winning goal in a match against Yeovil town in the 76th minute to secure promotion from League Two. A stunning strike, the ball was punting into the Yeovil box only for it to be cleared out to Ashbee 25 yards out and he unleashed a vicious shot into the top corner. Many questioned if Ashbee could cut it in League One. How wrong they were,

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he was as good if not better in the higher division and again was the catalyst for another promotion into the Championship. However the 2005-06 Championship season was one Ashbee will never forget. He was diagnosed with an osteochondral defect which is a degenerative bone condition in his femur which not only threatened his football career but his ability to walk full stop. He underwent surgery which involved the drilling of fourteen holes in the bone to encourage re-growth.

Ashbee would be side-lined for months but he had hoped he would return to the pitch. Peter Taylor meanwhile left his managers job and joined Crystal Palace with Phil Parkinson replacing him at the helm and Ashbee again remained captain. After spending the majority of the previous season out in the 2006-07 season Ash returned. He could have easily walked away from the game that he loved so dearly but the character he showed to recover from that injury says a lot about the man. Parkinson didn’t last long as boss and was shown the door with Phil Brown becoming the new manager. We managed to stay in the Championship by the skin of our teeth but Ash came in for heavy criticism amongst fans and became

somewhat of a scapegoat. The 2007-08 season saw Ashbee captain the side to a Wembley play-off final which saw Hull reach the Premier League. Ashbee remains the first player to captain a side from League Two to the Premier League something that may never be matched again. Despite playing in League Two a mere few years ago Ash lived his dream of playing in the Premier League and granted he looked out of his depth but which City player didn’t from time to time. But Ashbee embodied the typical never say die attitude instilled in the City players. Towards the end of the 2008-09 season his career was in the balance once again after he ruptured his posterior cruciate ligaments in his knee.

This didn’t get the better of Ash and he again fought back to fitness. During his 9 years at the club Ashbee has donned the Tigers strip 243 times scoring 10 goals but his impact will last forever. He won the hearts of minds of the fans, he won the respect of the managers and despite having two career threatening injuries he battled on. This is why Ian Ashbee is the greatest signing Hull City has ever made.

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THE TOP 10 WORST SIGNINGS

10. Nick Proschwitz

9. Kamil Zayatte

8. Stelios Giannakopoulos

Big things were expected of Proshwitz ahead of the 2012-13 season having been signed for ÂŁ2.59 million. But the big German has struggled with the physicality of the Championship and only scored 3 goals in 27 league appearances. Whilst Big Nick has time on his side in the form of a three-year contract it remains to be seen as to whether or not he can cut it in England. With the signing of Gedo, Proschwitz is further down the pecking order and looks like a poor signing.

Zayatte joined the club on a season-long loan when the club was in the Premier League after having trials at Newcastle and Everton.

His initial loan deal saw him play 18 times scoring the once but he was far from convincing at the centre of our defence. The loan deal was turned into a permanent for ÂŁ2.5 million which at the time was a club record. Having played 53 times in the 2009-10 season Zayatte was a part of some defensive horror shows and bagged himself 8 own goals.

Arriving at the club having played 137 times for Bolton Wanderers with the majority being in the Premier League Stelios came with a reputation. He was a do the simple things well sort of midfielder and brought a lot of experience into the club. However he hardly got a game and took over a month to get up to match fitness. His debut came two months after he signed coming on in the 82nd minute in the game against Portsmouth. He made one other appearance in the league and played the full 90 in a cup game but he was well past his best and left the club frustrated at the lack of games.

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7. Marlon King

6. Darryl Duffy

5. Dele Adebola

This addition might surprise a few people because on the field King was an asset but off the field he was a ticking time bomb. King joined the club on a loan deal which saw him score 5 goals in 20 games including a brace against Newcastle United.

However his off the field problems plagued the club during his time at the KC Stadium. He is alleged to have headbutted Dean Windass in the casino and he was convicted of sexually assaulting a student whilst at the club. Upon hearing the news he was going to be a substitute in the Arsenal game he reacted in an “unacceptable manner”. We consequently terminated the loan deal and he returned to Wigan.

Darryl Duffy joined the club on the back of a decent two-year spell in Scotland with Falkirk which had seen him score 27 goals in 57 games. A £250,000 fee was agreed in 2006 between the two clubs for the striker. Duffy couldn’t recreate the form he had shown in Scotland and only managed 7 goals in 24 games.

After Peter Taylor left as manager he found chances few and far between so he went out on two loan spells with Hartlepool United and Swansea City. The latter loan deal was made into a permanent for £200,000.

Duffy was often bullied by centre halves and lacked the killer instinct required and we got shot of him quickly.

Why Adebola was brought to the club I’ll never know. The journey man was winding down in his career and had just been released from Nottingham Forrest where had scored 5 goals in 62 games. Hardly setting the world on fire at Forrest we offered him a one-year deal and he signed on the dotted line ahead of the 201112 season. Granted he brought a vast amount of experience to the club but he was well past it by the time he joined the Tigers. Mustering 10 appearances in the black and amber without finding the net once Dele was loaned to Notts County midway through the 2011-2012 season. Upon the expiration of his deal he left the club and joined Rochdale.

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4. Amr Zaki

3. Peter Halmosi

2. Ibrahima Sonko

Amr Zaki took the Premier League by storm when he first arrived at a Steve Bruce managed Wigan Athletic.

Having scored 11 times in a 32 game loan spell from Zamalek something couldn’t have been right with the Egyptian as he returned to parent club.

Nevertheless Wigan’s loss was Hull City’s gain as we agreed a five month loan deal in the 2010 January transfer window. However Zaki arrived at the club with some hefty baggage.

His attitude wasn’t right from day one often training for the sake of training rather than trying to force his way into the team. Adding to this Zaki opted to remain on international duty with Egypt for longer than required. Having played 6 games and failing to find the net Zaki returned to Zamalek.

Where to begin with Peter Halmosi and the mind blowing sum of money he cost us for next to nothing in return. Halmosi joined from Plymouth Argyle in a club record £2 million pound move on a four-year contract in July 2008. The Hungarian born winger midfielder was on a decent wage whilst at the club and made little impact. The only thing he did was score a goal in the FA Cup victory over Sheffield United in 2009.

His four-year deal hampered the club and no doubt cost us in the long run with other potential targets. He played 27 times scoring once in his three-year spell. Halmosi was loaned back to his native land in 2009 and his contract was terminated by mutual consent in January 2011.

How Sonko made it as a footballer is nothing short of a minor miracle.

The Senegalese born centre half joined the club on a loan deal whilst in the Premier League from Stoke City. Signing a season long loan for the 2009-10 campaign Sonko was expected to be the defensive stability City required but that certainly wasn’t what he delivered. The injury prone defender only managed to play 9 times in the full season and was the instigator for some shocking displays of defending. I’m honestly at a loss as to why we brought him to the KC Stadium we would have been better going for an unproven youngster then this lumbering oaf. A truly shocking signing by Phil Brown.

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1. Jimmy Bullard When Hull City announced the signing of Jimmy Bullard on the 23 January 2009 for a club record transfer fee of £5 million many fans welcomed him with open arms. The signing was something of a coup for the Tigers who had attracted a player who had flirted with the England set-up. Fast forward three years and many would give him what for if they saw him. In hindsight the transfer was fraught with danger from the start. Giving a 30-year-old midfielder a four-and-a-half-year deal at wages a reported £45,000 a week and you’ve got a receipt for disaster. Throw into the mix his ticking time bomb of a knee and it was never going to end well. His debut game against West Ham was in front of the whole nation on the Sky cameras on 28 January 2009. It will be remembered for all the wrong reasons. Having not started the game Bullard was brought on in the second half but crumbled to the floor under a Scott Parker challenge in agony on the floor.

He knew he was in trouble himself and it was the same knee he dislocated

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whilst playing for Fulham. Initial prognoses of the injury was a jarred knee which would see him out of action for a few weeks but he visited surgeon Richard Steadman. Steadman incidentally was the same surgeon he visited to cure his previous knee problems and he revealed the extent of the damage. Bullard had to undergo surgery to repair a torn cartilage and his cruciate ligament also needed a reconstruction. The surgery meant Bullard would be out for the rest of the season having only played 37 minutes for the Tigers. His return to the first team fold took until the 19 October 2009 when he came off the bench in a 2-0 defeat against Fulham. When Bullard did get to full match fitness he was very good and he did in fact win the November Premier League player of the month award. He was influential on the field and scored a brace against ironically West Ham and a penalty in the away game at Manchester City, which saw him famously re-enact Phil Browns’ team talk on the pitch celebration. However disaster was just around the corner for Jimmy and he landed awkwardly on his knee

against Aston Villa on 5 December.

He would again be out of action for months. On June 2010 with the club in financial difficulty Bullard was made available for loan with Celtic interested in the midfielder. However it was Ipswich Town who came in with a suitable offer for the 32-year-old. The move is said to have saved the club £320,000 in wages. Bullard played 16 times for the Tractor Boys and scored 5 goals being voted their player of the season in the process. Upon his return to Hull he was suspended on 22 July 2011 after an alleged incident whilst on a training camp in Slovenia. Less than a month after the incident Hull announced the termination of Jimmy Bullard’s contract.

Looking back on the transfer it is one of frustration because he could have been such a good player for us but it was financial suicide and very nearly cost us the club completely. There is also anger on the terraces that Bullard had the audacity to site unfair dismissal following his contract being ripped up. Bullard no doubt had the talent to succeed but his body and off the field problems got the better of him.

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www.tigernationonline.com M O O R ENT THE TReEa looAkTat M the Achilles...

This week we tak

When news broke that star striker Matty Fryatt was to be ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery on his troublesome Achilles many feared for our play-off hopes let alone our promotion chances. The injury stems back to the August Rotherham Capital One Cup game in which Fryatt suffered a knock and was consequently sent to see a specialist in London. After a number of injections into the problem area came to no avail it left Fryatt with the only option of surgery to finally cure the injury. Surgery meant the 27-year-old would miss the whole season before it had really got started. With City now looking like they could be in real trouble in the goals department someone had to step up to the mark. Off-season signing Sone Aluko was that man. The Nigerian was brought to the club on a free transfer and on evidence so far seems an absolute steal. The 24-year-old has been influential in our climb up the league ladder with eight goals in 24 matches.

The midfielder even won the November Player of the Month award however disaster was around the corner. The injury happened mid January and it seemed the busy

festive period had taken its toll on the player. After spending a month on the sidelines in the hope that some rest would be the cure for the problem failed it was clear the injury was serious. Towards the end of February Aluko was set to return to full training which was a relief to the Tiger Nation. But it was short lived joy after Aluko complained of discomfort upon his return. Manager Steve Bruce instructed the 23-year-old to rest completely for a fortnight but feared surgery may be the only option. On 8 March Aluko underwent a similar operation to Fryatt to cure his Achilles injury meaning he also would miss the rest of the season.

With both key figures in the side missing for the majority of the 2012-13 season Tiger Nation got in touch with leading Achilles specialist Josephine O’Callaghan to learn more about the nature of the injuries: “The Achilles tendon is a cord like structure that originates from the two main calf muscles; gastrocnemius and soleus and inserts into the heel bone. The tendon is long and flexible. It

is important for high impact activities such as running allowing adequate propulsion. The tendon structure and function will vary between individuals as it adapts depending on what loading activities the individual does.” explained O’Callaghan. As the physiotherapist says the best way to ensure the injury does not flare up is rest, “If the players have followed a through rehabilitation program and the surgery has been deemed to be successful then re-rupture rate is low.

Following the advice of the physiotherapist and surgeon is important to avoid loading the tendon too early or over stretching which can have detrimental effects on healing.

I have not had a patient re-rupture or present with any other secondary complications post-surgery. However sometimes the recovery process takes longer than the ‘typical’ protocol as healing times vary between individuals and it may take some people longer to achieve the strength and flexibility necessary to progress to the next level.”

MY FAVOURITE HULL CITY STRIP

In this debut issue, Tiger Nation Monthly editor Jamie Barwick remembers his favourite strip.

My first shirt: It was the 2007-08 home kit it was quite plain, all amber if memory serves me correct but I liked it.

My most recent shirt: It was the 2010-11 away kit, all white with an amber trim I thought it was a really nice kit and a change from the normal blue away strip.

I think the current strip is: Very good. The away one in particular looks very classy.

Simply but effective, take away the sponsor and I think it's one of the nicest kits I've seen.

My favourite shirt: This seasons away kit.

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TURN THE KC STADIU

Tiger Nation Monthly takes a look at how the KC Stadium is b Hull City fan Ian Foster is just one of many who have taken to social networking site Twitter to encourage Tigers fans to get behind the team.

He tweeted: “Over 3,000 coming from [Nottingham] Forrest should be a good atmosphere for a change.”

But what is being done to improve the atmosphere at the KC Stadium?

Football has changed dramatically since the days of Boothferry Park when crowds of 30,000 regularly attended games to watch Hull City play. Spectators alike enjoyed the standing terraces at the ground, the sense of camaraderie between fans.

One thing that sticks in the mind is the atmosphere at Boothferry Park, it was fantastic for the majority of the time. However clubs move on from the past and that is exactly what the Tigers did when they moved to the 25,000 all-seater KC Stadium back in 2002. The multi-purpose facility is home to both Hull City and the rugby league team Hull FC and cost approximately £44 million to construct. Despite the change of ground the atmosphere didn’t follow suit and it considerably dipped.

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The KC Stadium lacks a real touch of belonging it just looks like a bleak stadium where football and rugby league are occasionally played. It has no personality. Whilst I understand with it being a shared stadium you can’t just plaster Hull City badges all over the ground but in that case why not have both? Get both Hull FC and Hull City badges to even it out, I’m sure it would improve the look of the ground. Let’s start with the subject of flags, at City away games all manner of flags are displayed proudly on segregation and draped over seats.

Yet when it comes to home game there are next to none displayed due to advertising constraints. There used to be a huge Hull City flag in the shape of a shirt which would be passed around the stadium where has that gone? Football fans should be the sides’ twelfth man singing and urging the players on not sat down being quiet. Teams in England are allowed to have flags just look at the Anfield Kop full of flags on poles it looks incredible. I’d feel proud to have a stand full of scarves and flags it would improve the atmosphere no

end. Look how hard it is for teams to get a result at Stoke’s ground the fans there are known for being one of the loudest and an intimidating places to go and get a result.

During the 2012-2013 Championship season a group of Hull City fans decided to form the “Ulltras”, typically ultras are the hardcore fans renowned for their fanatical support. There has always been the typical group of supporters who stand in E1 and are the ones making all the noise but now they have decided to put their own money into it. Buying numerous flags, musical instruments these supporters are off their own backs looking to make a difference. By god we need them too, sometimes the atmosphere is terrible at the KC Stadium even when we are winning! A Hull City Ulltras spokesperson said: “We are here to bring colour and atmosphere for Hull City home and away.

We understand it won’t be changed overnight but we are trying and will continue to do anything to improve the atmosphere.”

The motto adopted by the Ulltras

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UM INTO A FORTRESS!

being actively improved by the actions of the Hull City Ulltras. is 100% commitment to the club by singing, standing and supporting our team with passion no matter what football life throws at us - good or bad. We urge all Hull City fans to back their cause and make the KC Stadium more atmospheric. Their manifesto states the: “City Ulltras have formed as a direct antidote to the sanitised matchday experience that frowns on the very type of support that sustained us through our darkest days.” The Ulltras are a serious group and were even recognised at the recent fans liaison and advisory group (FLAG) meeting. The Ulltras are hoping the FLAG meeting will benefit them in the future and a spokesman for the Ulltras said, “We are hoping the new FLAG meeting will be a big help to us, we are always looking for new members. The problem at the moment is a place to stand for us all. We are looking into that and speaking to the club at the FLAG meetings.” Furthermore there is no stipulation to becoming an Ulltra as their manifesto states: “City ‘Ulltras have no leader, no spokesman, no membership scheme and no exclusion or inclusion policy” At home

games there are now around 40 to 50 people who regularly chant but at away games that number increases to around 70 with less seating restrictions.

The Green Brigade the branch of Celtic ultras are one of the most outspoken of groups in the world and after UEFA had handed them a fine due to songs they were singing it prompted outrage. During the match against Udinese a banner was held up which read “F**k UEFA” this consequently ended up with a fan receiving a lifetime ban. A Green Brigade spokesperson said: “We don’t have a good relationship with the club but we do with our own supporters which makes it difficult for the club to take any action. We have a section of around 400 but we couldn’t say all live and breathe ultra and we also benefit from a large and very passionate support so the condition for what we do at Celtic are very much there.”

The Hull City ultras have also actively been seeking advice from their other ultra movements: “We have been in correspondence with ultra groups across Europe gaining ideas.”

One thing that is mutually agreed between all ultra groups is that they aim to improve the atmosphere for at football grounds home and away. The Green Brigade spokesman continued: “We recognised the atmosphere had got increasingly worse in an all-seater stadium and wanted to change that and wanted to follow the ultra style.” Interestingly the Green Brigade mentioned the all-seater stadium has worsened the atmosphere much like Hull City. Our atmosphere is improving however an even Watford player Troy Deeney stayed behind to clap both sets of supporters after they won 1-0 at the KC Stadium in April.

Deeney posted on Twitter: “support from both teams was amazing what an atmosphere that was salute you all.” Hopefully this will be the start of a real push to improve the KC Stadium atmosphere.

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E BEST LEARN FROM THC NTUUlCtraCs Imember Lorenzo ZO witO WITHnLMoOnthRlyEgoN t in touch h AS Roma

Tiger Natio . y started their Ultra movement Contucci to find out who the st to survive, you must be the mo How did it come about you beanonymous you can. ge ing allowed to have such a lar play array of flags and you can dis p Do you have a good relationshi aln’t are We e? gam ry them eve in with the club and is this the ma les lowed to have flags on flag po d factor behind you being allowe due to safety concerns how did of to be so supportive in terms you overcome this hurdle? flags etc? n in Well, this is much harder tha There’s no relationship with the w the past, when we were free. No be club. If you have this, you can there are horrible rules that say law controlled. Beside this, the you can’t bring banners or big prohibit relationships between flags without authorization by bs and ultras. The main factor clu ek we e on en giv be to , the police is simply the passion and the s, before of the match. Despite thi n if Italian way of supporting, eve most of the ultras bring their t bes ir police are trying to do the e rul the g vin ser ob ut ho wit gs fla of to import the American way and to avoid problems for the supporting: Coca Cola in one We public the police let them in. to hand and both eyes to a screen still have a strong ultras base see if the TV zoom on you. We , so here, that can bring problems hate this. y. police prefer to act in this wa ups About the banners, a few gro How large is your Ultras fan ion in Italy ask for the permiss base? of of the police, while most part groups (like Roma) don’t bring ’s Less than in the past. In the 80 y the se cau re mo any rs ne ban ras – 90’s until 2005 we had an ult don’t want any contact or perbase of about 6-7000. Now we mission by the police. are about 3000 Have you got any advice for aspiring Ultras like yourselves?

it’s I am a former ultras and now very different than in the past:

mobs of AS Roma decided to join together to form one of y: the best ultras group in histor Commando Ultra Curva Sud first (CUCS). CUCS has been the group in the world bringing cho ey reographies in the stadium. Th d an used drums, flares, big flags every match was incredible. Yes t they were quite violent too, bu d you know, we are a big city an n. we had to defend our reputatio are re We did it well. Actually the but ultras not only in Curva Sud ain Curva Nord too and the situ tion is anarchic and quite dangerous as you could see in the a last derby against Lazio, where re couple of Molotov cocktails we thrown against police.

Scan the QR code at the bottom for footage of the AS Roma Ultras.

How did your Ultras movement start?

It started in 1977 when all the

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IP H S N O I P M HA C R E W O P ON S THE N A E S E H T F SIGNING O

Find out who you have voted the best signing of the 2012-13 season...

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5. Jordan Rhodes www.tigernationonline.com

Huddersfield to Blackburn - £8million

Blackburn Rovers broke their transfer record when they paid Huddersfield Town £8million to secure the services of striker Jordan Rhodes. Penning a five-year deal at the recently relegated Premier League club, Rhodes arrived with an impressive strike rate. The 22-year-old had scored 87 goals in 148 appearances for the Terriers. With some disappointing and disjointed performances which see Blackburn in the bottom half of the table Rhodes has been the one constant. The only shining light at Rovers has scored 22 goals this season. He has singlehandedly kept them in this division and whilst £8million is a lot of money he has proved vital. Huddersfield Town fan Thomas Evans said: “£8 million is a lot to spend on a Championship signing. But compared to the other wastes of money we have spent money on acquiring for this long and painful season he is worth his weight in gold.”

Guingamp to Leicester - £700,000

4.78Anthony Knockaert

Nigel Pearson appears to have uncovered quite the gem in plucking Anthony Knockaert from French side Guingamp for a minimal £700,000. Signing a three-year-deal you can be forgiven for no knowing anything about the winger who has played over 70 times in France and been capped at international level for the France Under 20 and 21 teams. Having played 31 times at the King Power Stadium and contributing 8 goals with 7 assists to boot, the Frenchman has proved to be quite the hit. His silky footwork and direct style of play have even courted the interest of Premier League teams such as Arsenal and Fulham. Twitter user @LCFC91 said: “He technically is very good, very exciting to watch on his day he is unplayable but when it’s not his day he can become a defensive liability. Can’t fault his effort or commitment though.”

www.tigernationonline.com Unattached – Hull City – Free

3. Sone Aluko

Sone Aluko could well have been the signing of the season if injury hadn’t dampened his campaign. The 23-year-old joined Hull City after his release from Rangers. The free agent was reunited with Steve Bruce who gave him his professional debut back when he was managing Birmingham City. The attacker has been a breath of fresh air at the KC Stadium after some turbulent months. Also providing three assists he has been instrumental in the clubs rise up the league ladder up until December. Aluko then suffered an Achilles injury which required surgery meaning he would miss the rest of the season. Hull City fan Alex Johnson said: “To get a player of that flair and ability at the club was some doing.

Whenever he is on the ball you can feel the crowd expecting something.

It’s a crying shame he has been out, I reckon with him fit we’d be top of the league.”

Bristol City to Crystal Palace - £500,000

2. Yannick Bolaise

Very little was expected of Yannick Bolasie this season having been signed for £500,000 by Crystal Palace after handing in a transfer request at Bristol City. However the 23-year-old has been somewhat of a revelation at Selhurst Park. Signing a threeyear-deal at the Eagles Bolasie has been a constant thorn in the opposition side. With Bolasie on one wing and the Manchester United bound Wilfried Zaha occupying the other flank, Crystal Palace have a formidable attacking force. Contributing 3 goals in 38 games the winger has also provided 7 assists to the side which has largely helped strike Glen Murray reach 29 goals for the season. Crystal Palace fan Hannah Parnell said: “Yannick Bolasie has been a little star for Palace and has the potential to change the game. Palace in general have had a good season despite losing Dougie [Freedman] early on.”

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www.tigernationonline.com Udinese to Watford – Loan When Watford first announced the loan signing of 20-year-old Matej Vydra from Udinese at the beginning of the season many were asking who is this player?

Now as the season is drawing to a close everyone has Vydra’s name purring on their lips after some scintillating performances for the Hornets. The Pozzo family who own Watford also own the Italian club Udinese and it is an arrangement which has benefitted all parties. Fringe players who wouldn’t normally have played for Udinese have been allowed to join Watford outside the loan restrictions of the Championship.

Vydra is one of them players and has been a hit right from the start of the campaign. The youngster has played 33 times for Watford and scored an impressive 20 goals and his goals haven’t gone unnoticed. Vydra was recently named the Championship Player of the Year and deservedly so. He has also been called into the Czech Republic national side and scored a brace in their 2014 World Cup qualifier against Armenia in March. With negotiations underway to make his stay at Vicarage Road permanent he has no doubt proved to be a star in the making.

Watford fan, Sadiq Damani spoke of his progress: “Premier League standard, just getting game time here. Currently off form but buries 90% of chances.”

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CITY SEASON STATS H T I W R E Y A L P THE MOST...

OUR LAST...

WIN

Statistics At The KC Stadium

2-1 v IPSWICH TOWN (A) Championship, 13/04/2013

DRAW 2-2 v CARDIFF CITY (H) Championship, 04/05/2013

LOSS 2-0 v BARNSLEY (A) Championship, 27/04/2013

HAT-TRICK

By MATTY FRYATT v SCUNTHORPE (A) Championship, 09/09/2012

RED CARD ALEX BRUCE

v HUDDERSFIELD TOWN(H) Championship, 15/12/2012

Goals: Robert Koren - 9

Assists: Robbie Brady - 12

Goals - 35 Scored Goal Conceded - 22

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Yellow Cards - 19 Red Cards - 1

James Chesterhas played in 48 games this season

Form Guide WLDLW The Tigers have picked up 45 points at home.

Biggest Victory - 4-1 Biggest Defeat - 3-1 Biggest Attendence v Cardiff City 23812 Lowest Attendence v Millwall 14,756

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Corry Evans has committed 44 fouls

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Tigers around the

World

Tiger Nation Monthly got in touch with Anders Hagberg member of the Arctic Tigers fan base about how he first became a Tigers fan.

How did you become a fan of Hull City in the first place?

It all started with “Premier Manager 98” on Playstation. Hull City was a recommended team to start with if you wanted to start in Division 4. On top of that, “Hull” means hole in Norwegian, which is quite funny when you’re 10 years old. So I started following Hull City in the table, and after 5-6 years, I suddenly found Hull vs Watford on a Norwegian TV channel and from that moment I was really hooked.

Are you able to get to many games, if so which one are you looking to attend in the future?

I try to get to as many as possible.

I think I’ve been at 4-5 games each season for the last 3 years. I was at the opening against Brighton in August, and I’m planning a trip 26th to 30th December to watch the home games against Leeds and Leicester.

What do you make of the current squad?

I think our squad is better now than it has been the last couple of years. Some experienced players, and some young talent. I think we’re in for quite an interesting season this year.

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What do you make of Steve Bruce’s reign so far?

I think he has proven to be a good choice. He has a rather big name in English football, so he’ll be able to get us some of the best championship players around. Just look at Sone Aluko. I really liked Nicky Barmby as manager, but I’m not sure that he could’ve convinced a player like Aluko to come to Hull.

Who is your player of the season?

It has to be Aluko so far. He’s a constant threat in our attack, and he can do so much with his pace and technique. I have to mention Simpson and McShane as well.

They seem to have gotten fresh starts, and have been convincing.

Even though McShane have made some errors, he’s a much better player than he was last year. And Stephen Quinn also deserves a mention. Since we signed him he’s

looking like a bargain. Another good signing from Mr Bruce.

Who would you like the club to sign in the transfer window?

Well, there are many I would like to see at Hull City, how likely it is, I don’t know. Charlie Austin, Tom Ince, Craig Mackail-Smith etc.

How many Arctic Tigers are there?

I think we’re about 40 now. All of them aren’t as dedicated as some of us, but what can you do.

Where did you think we’d finish in the table?

I hope we at least reach the playoffs. I think there are a lot of good teams in the Championship this year, so it could be difficult. But with the squad we have now, there is hope.

www.tigernationonline.com Artur Kliński speaks to Tiger Nation Monthly a member of the Polish Tigers.

Although we managed to overcome the biggest problem with the previous seasons, the offensive game.

What do you make a Steve Bruce’s reign so far?

How did you become a fan of Hull City in the first place?

We became Tigers fans back in May 2008, when Hull City were promoted to the Premier League. I became interested in the club and then I found the Polish side the Tigers, so I began tracking the fate of City.

What do you make of the current squad?

I think we have a squad for the top 6, it is certainly stronger than in the previous two seasons.

Without a doubt good, under the direction of Bruce we have gained a lot more goals and play offensively. Unfortunately, the expense is reflected in a defensive game, which may be surprising because Bruce is a former defender.

Who is your player of the season?

It’s Sone Aluko. I saw him several times in the colours of Rangers and to be honest, I did not think he would be this good. He scores a lot of goals, is versatile and can play as an attacking midfielder, winger or striker.

Who would you like the club to sign ahead of the transfer window?

I wouldn’t mind the Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc he is a very good goalkeeper as he proved in the Celtic, Fiorentina and the Polish national team. I would also be interested in Nick Powell.

How many Polish Tigers are there?

More than a dozen, we aren’t many but we’re absolutely faithful to our club.

Who is your favourite all time Hull City player?

My favourite player was Robert Koren, who certainly was our best player. Generally speaking, I do not have a favourite player.

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H

aving been signed back in 2003 on a free transfer from Scunthorpe United by manager Peter Taylor, few fans would have thought the defender would go onto achieve what he has done in the black and amber strip. Even Andy himself didn’t envisaged travelling right through the divisions with the club: “Obviously, had someone said when I signed for Hull City that I’d still be here 10 years later I wouldn’t have believed them.” Dawson has seen it all in his time at Hull City from playing at Kidderminster Harrier’s Aggborough to Manchester United’s Old Trafford. Ten years of service to the Tigers has brought with it three promotions and over 300 appearances under seven managers. His career in East Yorkshire has now entered its tenth spell and he is fully deserving of his testimonial.

Speaking about his time at the club Dawson said: “Football is a game there are no guarantees week to week, or even day to day, so to still be here and to have

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10 YEARS 4

1 andy d

achieved so much in that time is amazing. I feel honoured and privileged to have been part of a great period in the club’s history.”

Dawson is the elder brother of Kevin Dawson formerly of Chesterfield and Michael Dawson of Tottenham Hotspur. Andy had the bragging rights in the family when Hull City travelled to White Hart Lane on 5 October 2008 and pulled off a 1-0 victory. It was the first time the two brothers had come face to face on the football pitch. Despite playing in the basement of English football right to the summit not once has Dawson

looked out of place, which is testimony to how much of a good player he is. A particular moment that springs to mind is at the Emirates Stadium in the 2-1 win over Arsenal. Theo Walcott, renowned for his pace is played through on goal and out of absolutely nowhere Dawson comes across and executes the most sublime sliding tackle you’ll ever see. I’m sure Dawson would agree he hasn’t been blessed with pace but his ability to read the game more than makes up for that. His free-kicks aren’t bad either!

Loyal players are few and far

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DIVISIONS

dawson between in the modern game but Dawson has proved they still remain. Fans appreciate loyalty to one club, not many players will stay at one club for five years let alone ten. Dawson tends to be unnoticed on the pitch but this isn’t a criticism at all. Fans over the years have become accustomed to his consistent solid displays in the black and amber shirt and expect him to play well. It’s testimony to the player he is having been played regularly through seven managers tenures at the club. Arguably the first name on the team sheet for the past ten years,

Dawson has become a firm fans favourite on the stands and is a true servant of Hull City football club. You’ll struggle to find players who have gone from the bottom of the football ladder right to the top all with one club but Daws is one of them. Dawson also paid tribute to the fans during his time and said: “The fans have always been right behind the club. One thing that sticks out for me was when we played Sunderland at home in our second Premier League season, and we were relegated that day. I can remember how the fans were cheering us throughout the

90 minutes. They were letting us know that they were behind us through thick and thin. It is easy for fans to come and cheer you on when you are winning, but when you go through tough times, that is when you need fans behind you.

Our fans showed that the people of Hull stick together, and that is the great thing about the city and the club.”

The ever present has scored some memorable goals in his time too, mainly from set-pieces but Dawson won’t mind admitting that. Often opting for staying back rather than providing the overlapping run. Daws prides himself on clean sheets as do most defenders, often their version of a goal.

Ahead of his testimonial event Dawson said: “I have already had so many messages of support for my testimonial year. I know they will come out and support my testimonial, and that makes me very proud.” I think we speak for the whole of the Tiger Nation in saying thank you to Andy Dawson a true great of Hull City.

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1

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3 1. Andy Dawson signs on a free transfer from Scunthorpe in May 2003.

2. Dawson shows a fan the 2003-04 promotion winning plate.

3. Celebrating promotion from League 1 into the Championship.

4. A youthful looking Jonny Howson is stopped in the 0-0 draw with Leeds, 26 December 2006.

5. Dawson and co try out the new look kit ahead of the 200708 season.

6. Hull City celebrate winning promotion to the Premier League, 24 May 2008 7. Dawson enjoys the moment more than most having seen the side rise through the leagues.

8. Myhill and Dawson team up to cover Theo Walcott in the famous 2-1 win at the Emirates, 27 September 2008

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www.tigernationonline.com 9. Dawson suffers a nasty cut in the home game with Millwall, 24 Jan 2009.

10. A trademark free-kick from Andy put the Tigers 3-0 up against Everton, 25 November 2009.

11. Carlos Tevez tries to shield the ball from the eager Dawson, 28 November 2009.

12. Dawson can only watch as he put the ball into his own net against Manchester United, 27 December 2009.

13. Dawson celebrates a hard fought win.

14. A focused Dawson on the training pitch.

15. Dawson looks gutted at being relegated in the defeat by Sunderland, 24 April 2010.

16. Dawson eyes a pass in the 2010-11 season.

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Seating or standing it’s YOUR choice!

In late October of last year Hull City publically backed the Football Supporters Federation (FSF) safe standing campaign. Owner Ehab Allam said the KC Stadium should be a place “for every type of fan.” The Hull City Official Supporters’’ Club are now backing a trail run of a standing terrace at one of the home games in the future. Tiger Nation Monthly looks into what the Safe Standing campaign is all about and what it could mean for the future of Hull City Football Club.

Since the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, legislation was brought in which required all top-level clubs to provide seating for football crowds. However recent findings have uncovered the Hillsborough disaster was not down to the standing terracing but poor policing, overcrowding and the stadium layout. Now the FSF are calling for further action to be taken

by Government to allow standing terraces once again. The FSF has conducted thorough research into the English game and found week in week out thousands of fans are

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standing in front of their seats for the majority of the games. The FSF campaign is not simply for those people who prefer standing but it wants to allow football ground to cater for everybody’s needs. UEFA regulation stipulate that European football games must be played in all-seated stadiums however standing areas can be converted into seated areas in no time at all.

At every Hull City home game in the East stand the sections E1 and E2 and some of E3 all have spectators which stand for the duration of the game. Therefore with the club throwing their weight behind the FSF safe standing campaign it furthermore understands that fans want to stand. Currently the 35 clubs surrounding this page have publically backed the FSF initiative and the petition has gained 17,891 signatures from fans across the country. Michael Brunskill at the FSF sat down with Tiger Nation Monthly for more information about the safe standing campaign: “if every club in the football league and Premier League came out and said we back

safe standing the g would obviously h seriously listen and know every club w safe and there is a it both from a safe standing in seating ideal. It’s more like lead to injury so th for it. There is a ca consumer point of too many people a views blocked at g ly away games. If t that’s fine no way i for end of seated a that they’ll still for of accommodation But it’s safe there i case, we actually th business case as w by the Governmen you’re allowed a h standing areas. So people can people safely. Clubs could prices on the back extra revenue.”

The days on the Park hold fond me standing side by si into terraces. How move to the KC St lost that unity som Brunskill thought City have backed t campaign as a real is now nearly half league either have their ground alrea cially backed the F campaign. So it’s q when you get club like Doncaster Rov

government have to very very nd I think they would act. It is genuine case for ety issue because g areas isn’t ely to possibly here is a case ase for it from a f view because are having their games particularthey’d rather sit is the FSF calling areas we think rm the majority n in stadiums. is a consumer hink there is a well for it because nt Green Guide higher density in o therefore more e stand in there d maybe drop k of that and get

e old Boothferry emories people ide crammed wever since the tadium it has mewhat. Michael the fact Hull the safe standing l coup: “There of the football e standing in ady or have offiFSF safe standing quite interesting bs like Hull City overs who have

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What some of the KC could look like in the future

actually moved to all-seater stadiums and then a few years down the line they’ve realised hang on people are still standing here, there is still a want for it and it can be done safely why can’t we have it. This is really significant because that means you’re just not talking about clubs who have older grounds who have always had standing areas and don’t want to lose them. You’re talking about clubs that converted to all-seater stadiums and said well actually we may have made a mistake and maybe there is a case for safe standing areas.”

The FSF are advocating the rail seats as the most viable option when it comes to safe standing.

The pioneer in the use of rail seats is German club Hannover 96 who have 3000 rail seats which hold 3000 seated fans or 5700 standing supporters. Such is the demand for the rail seat area that season tickets sell out in the area before anywhere else. The rail seats are designed in such a way that the seats can be brought down with a simple key mechanism if the

seating arrangements are needed for European games. A safety barrier is placed every row so no crowd surges can take place. There are a number of advantages to the rail seats; as you can fit more people into the standing area the club could increase revenue which also may in turn reduce ticket prices. Furthermore as Michael Brunskill explains: “to incorporate a metal rail seat it’s only about a third of the cost more than the top end plastic seats at the Emirates but the difference is they last for a lot longer. So there is a long term business case for that as well because the clubs want to invest in the infrastructure we estimated that they can make their money back within a two year period.

Then generate more going on from there because every season going on can generate more revenue, cheaper tickets for fans because typically the standing areas are cheaper than seated areas.”

Tiger Nation Monthly are fully behind the campaign and hope in the future we can have some rail seats in the East stand.

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MY TIGERS dREAM TEAM Since it’s the 10 year anniversary of the KC Stadium being built we have compiled our best Hull City team to grace the stadium pitch.

MANAGER: PETER TAYLOR

The former England caretaker boss guided the club to back to back promotions.

BOAZ MYHILL

The Welsh goalkeeper was a given in this dream team having spent 7 years at the club playing over 270 times.

JAMES CHESTER

Blessed with a fantastic ability to read the game Chester will no doubt be a future Hull City great.

MICHAEL TURNER

The big centre half was a superb defender in a black and amber strip and chipped in with many goals.

ANDY DAWSON

SAM RICKETTS

10 years, 4 divisions with only one club was it ever in any doubt who the left back would be?

Playing over 110 times for the club, Ricketts was one of the most consistent fullbacks we’ve ever had.

IAN ASHBEE

Becoming the only player to lead a side through all the divisions, our very own captain fantastic had to feature.

ROBERT KOREN

Some may argue about this pick but Koren has proved vital in recent years with some spectacular goals.

Just ask Leicester fans.

NICK BARMBY

STUART ELLIOTT

Our very own Saint Nick racked up 180 appearances scoring 26 times. The inclusion will not suprise many.

DEAN WINDASS

Well over 250 games in a Tigers strip the hitman’s name will forever be in the history books for that goal at Wembley

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The Irishman scored 65 goals from left midfield in 195 games an incredible record.

SONE ALUKO

How did Steve Bruce manage to get this guy on a free? Aluko has the ability to change a game in a second.

Greatness beckons.

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