Stewards tried to remove a banner from Hull City fans (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The first half of Hull City’s game with Crystal Palace was overshadowed (which didn’t take much) by an incident in which home stewards tried to stop a banner stating ‘We are Hull City’ being paraded, peacefully, across the front of the East Stand at the KC Stadium.

Everyone has surely by now read and heard all about Hull City owner Dr Assem Allam’s plan to change the name of the club to Hull Tigers which has been met with anger and dismay from large portions of the fan base.

Before the game against Crystal Palace, City Till We Die, a protest group set up to unite fans opposed to the name change, carried out more peaceful activity.



A giant flag with the club badge and ‘City Till We Die’ emblazoned across it was unfurled at the entrance to the stadium and was signed by over 500 fans who also collected ‘No To Hull Tigers’ badges and scarves.


It was a heartening display of the collective spirit of the fans and it continued inside the stadium as the flag was passed over the heads of fans in the East Stand and some good natured banter was exchanged with the visiting supporters, who were in great voice as usual. The visitors heartily questioned our status as the City Of Culture. They’ve got a nerve.

Then it turned nasty. Three lads not associated with City Till We Die unfurled their own banner and carried it across the front of the stand to warm applause.

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Hull fans make their point (Picture: Getty Images)

As they approached the corner of the stand were the more vocal home supporters are stationed, stewards attempted to intervene and remove the flag.

This caused more fans to pour out of the stand to confront the stewards and a tug-of-war ensued. Eventually the banner was released and the fans paraded it back to where they started and then sat and watched the game.

Meanwhile the majority inside the stadium loudly booed the stewards and joined in with a very loud City till I die chant.

I’m not condoning fans confronting stewards and nor do I personally support protest, however peaceful, during the game. Once the whistle goes, we should all be supporting the team. But when will people in power realise that you can’t make unpopular decisions and then quell any response with heavy handed oppression?

This situation has come about because one man has made a decision that should have been made by everyone who is a ‘member’ of the club, formally and informally. To make a divisive decision is one thing – to then openly admit that you don’t respect the views of those who disagree and do not value their support is another still.

I pray that this does not detract from the hard work everyone has done to make Hull City a competitive Premier League team but aggressive attempts to silence critics will not help that at all.



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