Happy Feet in Yorkshire (Hull City F.C.)

Member Name: eiley123

Product:	Hull City F.C.
Date:	11/11/08 (68 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Local pride, enthusiasm, new team so not yet jaded, great manager.

Disadvantages: Long way to go.

As a born and bred Hull-ite I can safely say that I have read, heard and seen much, often bad news, about Hull City football team over the years. I am not a footie fan and Hubby has more than a passing fancy for Manchester United. Still on the whole he loves football and despite following Man U will watch any half decent football match on the old goggle box.

When he and I were young Hull City or The Tigers had some successes but in recent years have had more than their fair share of defeats. The standing local joke if The Tigers won used to be -'Who were they playing?. Blind Institute?' Not politically correct these days but you catch my drift.

Not so long ago their home ground was a crumbling, undersized, outdated old football stadium and the club was looking at bankruptcy. For a short time there was insufficient money to pay the debts and even wages, and it looked as if the club would fold.

However a few years ago a brand spanking new football ground was constructed. The club moved there in 2002. Sadly part of the local park's best trees had to go to accommodate the stadium. The old Hull Cricket Circle vanished from its regular venue also. A new walkway was constructed so that, if necessary, visiting fans could be police escorted straight to the stadium and back to the train station afterwards, so avoiding local pubs and, hopefully, running battles.

From when Hull City Football team was founded, in 1904, they had never reached a higher position in the football divisions than second division. Plus they had never even reached any dizzying heights in that division. They had also had many low rankings over the years.

So the City has gone overboard with pride and football mania since The Tigers went into the Premier League this season. Despite many doubters assuming that the team would be slaughtered they have done very well, up to now. Due to the timing of games they were around the top of this league for a few weeks and seemed to have the Midas touch.

Initially they never lost a game. However that changed last week. Suffering three defeats on the trot could be soul destroying but it should not be. Firstly they lost to the mighty Chelsea who have years of experience at the top. Against Man U they fought back. Sure they lost but at 4-3 to the mighty Man U they surprised everyone. They were defeated by Bolton with a score of 1-0 but yet again deserve credit. They fought like tigers and, as they say, were unlucky.

Football will never inspire me but I do occasionally watch a game when Hubby is ranting at the TV. I might watch the tigers you never know. They have been on Match of the Day more than once and Gary Linneker remarked that they were a breath of fresh air.

Of course with their new found successes comes increased revenue. To the victor the spoils eh. There is no doubt that if they stay in the Premier League their present Stadium will ultimately be too small. Already the various concerts held there, such as Elton John's, have proved a tight squeeze for audiences.

However it is too early to say whether they are going to do well and continue in the Premier League. I certainly hope so for the welcome boost it has given the people of Hull. Like it or not a successful football team will give locals something to be proud of and for a City with more than its fair share of problems that has to be good.

The final word is from Gary Linneker again who after the Tiger's three defeats stated 'They'll be alright', and do you know, I think I agree.

Thanks for reading and Good Luck.
(C) Eiley 2008

P.S- I think it might be time to change the traditional Black and Amber strip though. It seems to look a tad amateurish among the big boys teams. Still it is distinctive.

Summary: Early days but here's hoping.