Chaired by: Ehab Allam and attended on behalf of HCOSC by Vice Chair John Williams.

Others in attendance: the Senior Tigers, Hull City Supporters Trust and five fans with no attachment to any structured fans group or organisation.

REVIEW

It is unlikely anyone would contest that the relationship between the Club’s owners and the fans has for some time been strained. The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that one recent protest even interrupted a game in mid-flow. For some this was a step too far without doubt but shows the feeling amongst some Hull City fans. However, there is a belief that this is now affecting the players out on the field, uncertain about what is going to happen next.

So maybe understandably Eham Allam has called for an amnesty with all fans, in order to try and address some of the issues. Both Assem and Ehab Allam met with the Supporters Committee last night as promised in their recent press release. We can report it was a very constructive meeting with open dialogue on issues such as concessionary prices, supporter engagement, branding and supporting the players both on and off the pitch.
In a meeting lasting well over three hours Ehab, who chaired the meeting, explained the reasoning of many of the business decisions he has made which have both puzzled and angered fans. A couple of common adages did spring to mind after the meeting had finished; there are two sides to every story, and also, don’t believe everything you read in the press.

Ehab was very open and forthright throughout the meeting and admitted that in hindsight he had made mistakes along the way. He also feels very strongly that the club is in a much healthier financial state than when the Allams first took over the club. He went on to explain that although heavily criticised in some quarters for not been football fans, they feel this has been of considerable benefit to the running of the club. Instead of letting their hearts rule, Ehab says they have implemented a sound business case, running the club as efficiently as possible.

Everyone at the meeting including fans representatives, Senior Tigers, Hull City Supporters Trust and of course Hull City Official Supporters Club all agreed, wholeheartedly, that protesting against the ownership outside the ground is one thing but City supporters should be galvanising as one inside the ground. Electing to support both the Manager and the team, in essence, acting as a twelve man.
In discussions on branding Ehab did not rule out the use of Hull City in the emblem. He did point out during City’s long history there has been numerous seasons when the emblem has not featured the team’s name. He is open to suggestions but provided these are fed through the correct channels.

It is difficult to summarise a three hour meeting but it was a huge step in the right direction.
Dialogue is the best way forward; consultation with fans representatives at board level was very much what Hull City fans had been demanding. Many subjects were discussed but understandably it is for all parties to now take away and digest, with a follow-up meeting already planned.

There is some way to go, but progress was made.

We feel that the immediate priority must be for all fans, regardless of any personal opinions, to get behind the manager and give the players the support they deserve.

The OSC would like to thank Ehab Allam and the club for the opportunity to engage in dialogue at this level and acknowledges the efforts of all present at the meeting to begin the process of moving forward positively. A start has been made.