Hull City owner in deadlock with fans over Tigers name change

Hull City’s 3-1 memorable victory over Liverpool has been overshadowed by an increasingly bitter row between the club’s owner and it’s traditionalist fans.

Egyptian-born Assem Allam’s is looking to re-brand the Premier League club as Hull Tigers, but the move has not gone down well with supporters and matters came to a head after he suggested those opposed to his view were “hooligans” and that they “could die as soon as they want”.

Businessman Allam was reacting to a fans’ campaign group named “City Till We Die” which was formed in response to the proposed name change.

Manager Steve Bruce found himself in a tricky position when asked about he dispute on Sunday. Clearly he is reluctant to alienate supporters, but equally, conscious of the fact that Allam pays his wages, he has to treat very carefully when discussing the club’s owner.

“I am happy to speak to the owner and give him my opinion,” a diplomatic Bruce said.

“But if he wants us to play in pink fairy dresses then he is entitled to that view.”

At last week’s game against Crystal Palace stewards tried to remove a banner which read “We are Hull City” while on Sunday against Liverpool their riposte was “We’re Hull City, We’ll Die When We Want” while Bruce said he hoped to sit down with Allam and find a “happy solution”.

Allam, although from Egypt, has lived i1968, went to university there, has been a successful businessman in the area, and has strong ties to the local community.

In 2010 decided to step in to save Hull City from financial ruin after they were relegated from the Premier League saddled with debt.

Aware of his role in thew club’s recent renaissance, Allam has threatened to walk away from the club he has invested £60 million in.

“I’m a simple man. Do they want me to stay? If it’s ‘No thank you’, fine, in 24 hours the club is for sale… I do not put in one more pound,” he recently told the Hull Daily Mail.

Who will blink first in the stand off remains unclear. But one thing we do know for certain is that the club existed for over a century before Allam became involved and it will continue to exist long after he has departed.