Hull City Owner Pushes on with Name Change Plans by Applying to The FA

Hull City owner Assem Allam has continued his plan to change the club’s name to the Hull Tigers by submitting an application to the FA.

Allam caused controversy amongst Hull fans when he said the name City was “lousy” and “common” and he would aim to make the club the Hull Tigers for the 2014-15 Premier League season.

The Egyptian, who invested heavily into the club to stop it from collapsing, caused further outrage when he said the supporters group ‘City Till We Die’ could “die as soon as they want.”

The decision to apply to the FA has angered the fans group, who have said that Allem has gone back on his promise to consult with fans ahead of any formal decision to change the name.

In a statement released to Press Association Sport, the group said: “The City Till We Die campaign group is disappointed to learn that Hull City AFC has formally written to the Football Association requesting to change the name of our club to Hull Tigers, as of the 2014-2015 season.

“When City Till We Die met with Hull City AFC owner Dr Assem Allam on 1 November, he assured us that any name change would not occur for two to three years, and that it would not go ahead without supporter consultation, or without the benefits being proven by research. No such research or consultation has taken place.

“Commentators on the sport and experts in marketing alike have reacted to Dr Allam’s name-change plans with widespread derision, while his intemperate remarks about Hull City supporters have been roundly condemned.

“Single-mindedness is not the only way to win respect; listening to the counsel of others and being prepared to concede that you may have made a mistake can also be a sign of strength. Sadly, the events of recent weeks suggest that our owner may not appreciate this.

“This matter is now in the hands of the only people who have the right to make such a decision: the football authorities.”