Paul McShane hamstring injury blow for Hull City

November 23, 2013, 9:50 am

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Steve Bruce says Hull City defender Paul McShane is likely to be out "for a couple of weeks" with a hamstring injury suffered during the defeat to Crystal Palace. McShane was replaced by Liam Rosenior in the 59th minute, to the disappointment of Bruce, who felt the terrace favourite was the best player on the pitch. "It's a worry because I thought Paul was easily our best player by a million miles. I would have thought it will rule him out for the next couple of weeks." Robbie Brady also remains a concern after he was taken off at half-time. "He still doesn't look right," said Bruce. "We've now been messing around with (his injury) for four weeks. He's trained well, but something wasn't right with him."

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Pictures: Hull City fans and stewards argue over 'We are Hull City' banner during Crystal Palace match at KC Stadium

November 23, 2013, 10:12 am

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Fans and stewards became involved in a tug-of-war over a 'We Are Hull City' banner during the match against Crystal Palace at the KC Stadium. The large banner had initially been paraded along the East Stand unopposed. However, when a second pass began, stewards attempted to curtail it. As boos rang out around the ground, the stewards backed off and allowed the large, amber standard to be unfurled again, to loud cheers. Before the match, fans opposing Assem Allam's 'Hull Tigers' rebrand proposals had queued in West Park to sign a giant City Till We Die flag.

Steve Bruce: Hull City 'a big disappointment' in Crystal Palace defeat

November 23, 2013, 10:45 am

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Steve Bruce labelled Hull City's performance against Crystal Palace "a big disappointment". The Tigers were beaten 1-0 by the Premier League's bottom side at the KC Stadium on Saturday. "The performance is the big disappointment for us," Bruce. "We didn't do enough as the home team to win the match. "No matter what we tried to do, we didn't have enough composure in the final third and we unfortunately ran out of ideas pretty quickly. We didn't deserve to lose but we certainly didn't do enough to win the match. "We haven't done enough up their end of the pitch. They've packed their defence and we haven't had enough quality and know-how to break through." "You have to accept it and move on and get over it quickly because we all know the Premier League is unforgiving. If we'd have take a point we'd be sitting level tenth." Bruce revealed after the match that Paul McShane had suffered a hamstring injury and there were still concerns over Robbie Brady's fitness after he was substituted at half-time. As for new Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis, whose appointment was confirmed today, Bruce feels the experienced campaigner is a fine catch. "For me, it's a great appointment," he said. "He's been there, done it, worn the T-shirt. I think he'll be a very good appointment for them."

Hull's Luke Campbell signs off 2013 with victory over Chuck Jones at Manchester Arena

November 24, 2013, 2:21 am

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HULL'S Luke Campbell signed off 2013 with the fourth win of his professional boxing career at Manchester Arena. He was taken the full distance by Chuck Jones, but was rarely tested by the Welshman, who had stepped in as a late replacement. Jones dug deep in the face of several flurries from the Olympic gold medallist, who has enjoyed an impressive start in the paid ranks. The 26-year-old was awarded every round by the referee and will look to fight for his first title in the new year.

Hull City v Crystal Palace talking points: Bruce got his tactics wrong - but will find a way forward

November 24, 2013, 2:48 am

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For almost 80 minutes, Hull City v Crystal Palace was up there with the worst matches I've seen in a long time, writes Brad Rial. The whole occasion threatened to be memorable only for the "We Are Hull City" banner furore in the East Stand. Wherever you stand on the name change debate, there is no getting away from the fact it is threatening to overshadow what should be a season to remember. Fans who have invested so much in their club are exercising their right to have a say in its future - and if yesterday proved anything, it was that there are far more than the "200" supporters Assem Allam thought opposed the change. A few weeks ago, following the meeting between Allam and supporters' representatives, there was a sense of optimism that a way forward might be found. Unfortunately, yesterday felt very different. Eventually the football did become the talking point again, although it wasn't until the 78th minute, when Yannick Bolasie was sent off for the visitors, that the game really sprung into life. I think Palace can feel a bit hard done by with that decision. I was very surprised to see the referee produce a red card as the challenge, although reckless, wasn't malicious. Then, just three minutes later, Barry Bannan slid home the deciding goal. It was the one real moment of quality all game. You could argue City's defenders were beaten a bit too easily, but Cameron Jerome did brilliantly to work a bit of room and find Bannan with his cross.Bruce got his team selection wrong Why were City so lifeless? I was surprised by Steve Bruce's team selection. It's easy to criticise with hindsight and after such a poor performance, but a few of the tactical decisions were more than a little puzzling. It was harsh on Liam Rosenior to be left out. He's hardly put a foot wrong this season. If it's a straight decision between Rosenior and Ahmed Elmohamady for the right-back spot, it's a no-brainer for me. As good as Elmo is going forward, he's simply not a full-back and he was one of City's weakest performers against Palace. City lacked width yesterday and would have been much more effective if Bruce had started with Elmo and Robbie Brady on the right and left respectively. His recent injury may have had something to do with it, but Brady was largely anonymous and it was no real surprise when he was subbed at half time.A poor performance from both sides Collectively and individually, City's players let themselves down yesterday. So much so, that it's a real struggle picking out a standout performer. The Tigers lacked urgency and tempo. Too many players let the game pass them by. For all of their possession (62 per cent to be precise), City could muster only two shots on target. That would be a disappointing total against any side, let alone the bottom team in the Premier League. Crystal Palace are (or, at least, were before yesterday's result) bottom of the league for a reason; they went into this game having lost all of their previous away games. Palace themselves didn't even play particularly well; they just took the one real chance that they had. One thing was very clear: City really miss Sone Aluko. No other Tiger has his ability to unlock a defence - and without him they struggled to create any clear-cut chances. The closest City came to scoring was in the 93rd minute, when Liam Rosenior struck the post with a volley. Other than that, Julian Speroni was rarely troubled in the Palace goal. The stats don't lie. City have scored just four goals at home so far this season (two penalties, one an own goal). Yes, they have also only conceded two at the KC, but their inability to put chances away at the other end needs addressing.A long winter ahead? Next week sees the first of the so-called "big" sides visit the KC, in the shape of Liverpool. It marks the start of what could be a gruelling December, with no fewer than seven games. There were always going to be spells this season when City might struggle, such is the quality of the Premier League. Following the Reds, we face back-to-back away games at Arsenal and Swansea. It would be easy this morning to begin fearing "a long winter ahead", such is the deflating effect of yesterday's performance. Bruce has always warned there would be difficult periods this season where wins might be hard to come by. Last night, he sounded perplexed by his team's performance. But if there is one thing Bruce has shown us over the past year-and-a-half, it is his ability to find answers when he needs them the most. Think how he reorganised his attack after Aluko's season-ending injury during the promotion campaign. He's been around the game long enough to not start pressing the panic button. Right now, we need a bit of a fillip, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if this team, which has shown such determination and resilience up to now, bounces back with an upset against one of the bigger sides. Performances at Man City, Newcastle, Everton and Spurs have demonstrated their ability to compete with the best. I wouldn't bet against a result against Liverpool.• Brad Rial is a lifelong Hull City fan and journalism student who blogs every week for the Mail. Follow him on Twitter @BradRial.

The Beatles Tribute Band perform at Hull's St Stephen's shopping centre

November 24, 2013, 5:56 am

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BEATLEMANIA returned to Hull as shoppers visiting St Stephen's were treated to hits from the Fab Four. The Beatles Tribute Band performed at the shopping centre on Saturday and Sunday as part of a series of events held to mark the 50th anniversary of the band playing at the ABC Regal Cinema, in Ferensway, in 1963. Year 6 pupils from Stepney Primary School also took to the stage to perform a series of hits including All My Loving and I Saw Her Standing There. Crowds flocked to the first-floor terrace in the shopping centre as hits rang out from the Liverpool-based tribute band. Pam Hoyle, from east Hull, said: "It's just fantastic. "It's been a great week for Hull, what with the city being named City of Culture, and then this." Graham Watson, from Anlaby, was also in the crowd with his wife Janice. He said: " I was lucky enough to see The Beatles when they performed here. I was 12 at the time. "I queued up with my friend for ages to get tickets and my brother kept coming back to check on us, to see if we were ok. "No-one will ever be as good as The Beatles but these are a great tribute band." It's 50 years since The Beatles came to Hull to play on November 24, 1963, at the height of Beatlemania. The November visit was part of a nationwide tour and came after the group had topped the charts twice – From Me To You made it to number one and stayed there for seven weeks and She Loves You was in top spot for six weeks. For one Beatles fan, this weekend marked one of the most memorable moments of her life. Lynda Hill, from east Hull, was lucky enough to meet Paul, Ringo, George and John on their visit to Hull, when her employer arranged a surprise meet and greet for her, after she had failed to get tickets for their concert. Disguised as a cleaning lady, to avoid attention from the national press, Lynda was ushered across to the ABC and told to sit and wait in an upstairs foyer for the band. Half a century on, Lynda was part of the celebrations at St Stephen's. She said: "I feel at the minute that I have reverted back to that time. "On November 24, I was on the exact spot, at the exact time, on the exact day, that I met them. It is a story has followed me for 50 years." The highlight of Linda's meet and greet was when her favourite band member Paul, put his arm around the 17-year-old for a photograph - a memory that will stay with her forever. She said: "They had no airs and graces, they were ordinary guys. They were happy to sit and chat with me and they made me feel special, which is the best way of putting it."

Hull City Council pays £34,000 after schoolgirl hurt in game of 'tag'

November 24, 2013, 6:11 am

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A MOTHER has won an out of court settlement for her six-year-old daughter after claiming the game of 'tag' should be banned in school playgrounds. Her daughter cut her head in a Hull primary school playground after older children playing tag knocked into her. Hull City Council took the view there was only a 50 per cent chance of successfully fighting the claim and settled out of court. The girl had banged her head on a wooden planter in the schoolyard at a Hull primary school. Her mother claimed the school should not have allowed the children to play tag in the playground and that the planter, which had passed health and safety checks, was a hazard. The council decided to settle out of court and agreed damages of £1,100 to the child and paid the mother's £12,900 legal costs. Their own costs exceeded £20,000. A spokeswoman for Hull City Council said: "We only settle when we are liable. We will only go to court if we are confident that we will win the case. "It is up to the individual schools if they ban tag."

Paper Talk: Gedo, Mclean and Townsend make headlines for very different reasons

November 24, 2013, 6:35 am

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Our daily blog with the latest news, transfer rumours and gossip about Hull City in the Premier League. HULL City may not have picked up the result they wanted at home to Crystal Palace yesterday, but one player did have something to smile about despite the 1-0 defeat. Egyptian striker Gedo has been making headlines in his football-mad home country today after making his Premier League debut for the Tigers. Having come on as a sub in the 77th minute as City looked for what would have been a winner an 81st-minute winner from Palace's Barry Bannan meant his first bow in the English top flight did not exactly go to plan. And it got even more frustrating for the 28-year-old striker, who was denied a dream debut goals after having his shot cleared off the line in injury time. After scoring Egypt's winner in a 2-1 victory over Ghana last Tuesday, Gedo is looking to get on the goal trail again after bagging six goals in 12 matches last season. His recovery from a foot injury has been well documented back in his homeland, with supporters from parent club Al Ahly desperate to see him fly the flag for Egypt in the world's most-watched league.Mclean draws blank on Blues debut Talking of striker who struggle score, Aaron Mclean failed to get off the mark on his debut for Birmingham yesterday after coming on for the last 27 minutes to try to find a match-winner. The Blues eventually drew 1-1 at home to Blackpool and it's been revealed that they were not the only club in for Mclean's services. Apparently, strugglers Yeovil Town were also keen to land the 30-year-old, with boss Gary Johnson a keen admirer of the hard-working forward. However, with the former Peterborough man now on an improved deal in the Premier League, the Glovers could not afford his salary. Johnson said: "It didn't come close with what Birmingham were offering anyway. So obviously he went to Birmingham. They pay the money. But I'm not going to cry over that sort of stuff. "If we go and pay eight grand a week for somebody and he gets injured - like most of our loans seem to get injured in their first games - then that's a lot of our budget, and we aren't going to do a lot else. So we've got to make sure that it's right." Pulis steals limelight, Townsend see red Nationally, the Tigers have not really made much noise in the national press today, having seen the arrival of Tony Pulis in a helicopter for the KC clash take up most of the headlines. Whilst the former Stoke boss may have tried to make a low-key entrance to the main West Stand reception, the big Sky TV camera which was in his face put a stop to all that. As did talk about the helicopter. And when it comes to making headlines, Tigers loan man Connor Townsend certainly did that at Carlisle yesterday. Sent off at the end of the first half, the defender was first booked for clumsily clattering into Richard Brindley on 43 minutes and then in stoppage-time he upended Matt Tubbs. The on-loan Hull City man didn't even protest his innocence as the referee showed him a second yellow card, then red, with United going on to fight out a goalless draw against Rotherham.

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Hull KR unveil new home kit for 2014 and ClearSky Business are new main sponsors

November 24, 2013, 10:14 am

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HULL KR have officially unveiled their new home kit for the 2014 season, with ClearSky Business signed up as the club's new main sponsor. The venture is the first time the company, which specialises in small business advice, have got involved with sports sponsorship of any kind. As well as being on KR's home and away shirts next season, the logo will also appear in and around Craven Park. Plans are also in place to hold a series of ClearSky workshops for start-up and small businesses in the Enterprise Training Hub area of the new North Stand Derek Kelly, Managing Director of ClearSky Business, said: "We're pleased to be teaming up with Hull KR and anticipate a successful season both on and off the pitch." East Yorkshire Shutters will be the club's back collar sponsors for the third year running, with their logo also appearing on the home and away socks. The new Hull KR 2014 shirt is now available to buy at www.hullkr.co.uk, priced £35 for juniors and £45 for adults.

Hull City 0 Crystal Palace 1: Player ratings for the Tigers

November 24, 2013, 10:16 am

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Allan McGregor: Barely had a save to make all afternoon as Palace struggled to test the returning Scot, but he was left exposed and helpless to prevent Bannan's late winner. 6 Ahmed Elmohamady: A wonderful last-ditch challenge prevented Gayle from having a clear chance on the break but his manager lamented the right-back's role for the goal. Little sign of his attacking game, either. 5 Paul McShane: Went through the wars in the City defence. First cut open his head when clashing with Chamakh and then forced off with a hamstring injury. Scan results will decide if he misses Liverpool. 6 Curtis Davies (starman) Little to fault in the centre-back's performance and for long periods it looked as though he would grind out a fourth straight clean-sheet at home. Almost grabbed a goal at the other end too. 6 Maynor Figueroa: Started at left-back and switched inside to centre-half for the final half hour. A solid, if unspectacular, performance from the Honduran and won the supporters man of the match prize. 6 Robert Koren: The captain returned to the starting line-up but couldn't deliver the creative spark his side sought. Like many of his attacking colleagues, failed to do enough to trouble Palace. 5 Tom Huddlestone Lacked the influence supporters have come to expect from their main man and shaded by Jedinak in the midfield tussle. City's record buy is capable of much more than this tepid showing. 5 Jake Livermore: A dip in form is being felt by the on-loan Spurs man at present. He was denied an equaliser at the death but it couldn't mask a frustrating display. City need his urgency to return. 5 Robbie Brady: Appeared undercooked on his return from injury. Poor use of the ball often saw him responsible for the breakdown of City's play and struggled to make an impact before being replaced at the break. 5 George Boyd: Did some wonderful things, like the assist for Sagbo's chance, but also typified City's sloppiness. A bad error in his own half gave Gayle a sight of goal and he was relieved to see a shot wide. 6 Yannick Sagbo: Spurned City's best chance when sent clear on goal by Boyd and denied by Speroni. Drifted in and out of the game, but service sent in his direction was aimless at best. Needs support. 5 Subs Danny Graham (for Brady 46): Given a full half to make his presence felt but the telling contributions were lacking. 5 Liam Rosenior (for McShane 59:) Came closer than any of his attacking team-mates to a goal when thumping the post from distance. 6 Gedo (for Koren 77): A Premier League debut finally arrived but there were no heroics from the Egyptian. 6 Not used: Steve Harper, Alex Bruce, David Meyler, Abdoulaye Faye

Child stuck in mud under Stoneferry Bridge

November 24, 2013, 11:05 am

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A CHILD was rescued from the River Hull this afternoon after getting stuck in some mud. Emergency services were called to reports someone had got into difficulties in the mud under the Stoneferry Bridge. Police, ambulance and the fire service were called to the scene just after 3pm. The child was pulled to safety and no injuries were reported.

Peter Swan: Hull City players must get back to basics against Liverpool

November 28, 2013, 3:00 am

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AFTER losing 1-0 at home to 10-man Crystal Palace, the time has come for Hull City to get back to doing the basics right.

It won't take too much to fix, because City had been playing well up to the last couple of games against Palace and Southampton.

Steve Bruce just needs to remind his players of the things they did in the first 10 matches.

They were playing well as a team, and they need to get back to that against Liverpool.

That won't be easy considering, the start Liverpool have made to the season.

City cannot afford to be as poor as they were against Crystal Palace last weekend.

The big-name players like Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore didn't perform as well as we know they can.

They are the two players in midfield who make things tick for the Tigers.

Maybe teams are sussing us out now. Southampton did well to shut them down and won 4-1.

Palace bullied them in midfield and won 1-0, even after they had their man sent off.

City need Huddlestone and Livermore to link play up, or it will be another long afternoon.

Those two need to find their feet quickly, because Liverpool will be in the mood to make them pay if they don't.

Maybe some of the players were getting carried away by the start they had made.

The reassuring thing for City fans is the fact we tend to play better against the so-called better teams.

We always seem to struggle against the sides languishing at the bottom – like Palace.

There was talk recently about Huddlestone being called up to the England side for their friendlies against Chile and Germany.

Roy Hodgson has said after those back-to-back defeats that there won't be any new faces in his World Cup squad, which is bad news for Huddlestone.

The door may not be shut for good, though. Injuries could create an opening for him, but only if he plays well for the Tigers.

We know he can, and personally I'd like to see him take on more shots. All too often he is keen to move the ball on for others to either shoot or cross.

We know he has a great shot on him, and I want to see him pull the trigger more often and not shift responsibility onto team-mates.

I have every faith in him scoring his first goal very soon.

Fans have talked about switching to a 5-3-2 formation, but I can't see Bruce doing that because he likes to be positive.

He doesn't want to have five defenders, even against one of the deadliest Premier League strike partnerships in recent seasons.

Southampton found our weakness in that formation, and made us pay.

Liverpool will too, so Bruce will have to think long and hard about what way to line up.

Last week against Palace, we went into a home game as favourites and we couldn't deal with the different sort of pressure.

We could do with Robbie Brady being at his best, but it seems like he has work to do to get over his hernia injury.

I was surprised to hear the manager say it was a mental thing for Brady to overcome.

When I was injured, I was fine when I got back playing.

Bruce has to assure Brady he's fine to play. He wouldn't be considered if the medical team didn't think he was good to go.

James Chester was 50/50 for the Southampton game and missed the Palace match, so hopefully he could return against Liverpool.

If he does, he needs to be 100 per cent fit to face Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

NPower announces 1,460 job losses, but management say Hull jobs are safe

November 28, 2013, 3:00 am

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ENERGY giant Npower has reassured its Hull employees they will not be directly affected by 1,460 job losses as it confirms plans to outsource "back office roles" to India. The firm currently employs 9,600 people in the UK, with around 560 based in a call centre in Clough Road, Hull. However, Npower said this morning the only expected impact in Yorkshire will be the loss of 80 jobs at its Limsewood offices in Leeds. In a statement, chief executive Paul Massara, said: "Today we have set out our proposed vision of how we would improve customer service, calling on the support of leading retail outsourcing partners. "I understand that these changes would be incredibly hard for some of our employees and we'll be doing everything we can to support them over the next few months. "This restructure is necessary if we are to deliver the levels of service our customers deserve. All calls would still be answered in the UK. "We would have the flexibility to keep call waiting times down during busy periods, and continue to keep costs down so we can keep bills down." Subject to consultation, the company says its restructure - expected to take eight months to complete - would involve more work being performed by retail outsourcers Capita and Tata Consultancy Services. The company says "enhanced" redundancy terms are being offered. Colin Smith, the GMB union's northern region senior organiser, said: "GMB will vigorously campaign against the offshoring of jobs to India because it has absolutely nothing to do with customer service and everything to do with cost." Npower announced a major overhaul of its UK operations in August aimed at "reducing management layers across the business". Back then, Mr Massara said npower would "avoid compulsory redundancies, wherever possible" but said the company needed to make "major changes".

Planned railway footbridge 'would ruin Cottingham residents privacy'

November 28, 2013, 3:15 am

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THIS IS the view across families' back gardens that will be exposed to passers-by if a railway footbridge is built in Cottingham.

Village councillors borrowed a cherry picker from volunteers putting up the Christmas lights to highlight their fears the bridge would ruin neighbours' privacy.

Network Rail wants to build it to replace a gated crossing on the track itself.

But families fear the bridge, which will tower 30ft above their gardens, may become a trouble hotspot.

Ros Jump, who was joined on the cherry picker by fellow East Riding councillors Geraldine Mathieson and Lena Slater, said: "I just couldn't believe it when we went up.

"Network Rail is using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut without any thought of the impact on people's lives.

"These residents do have a right to use their property as a home."

The most exposed gardens belong to houses in Exeter Street, where families say they already have a problem with unruly youths.

Because the road is much lower that the track and the bridge needs clearance for electrified trains, it will be 30ft higher than the homes, the councillors say.

They are due to meet East Riding planners to suggest alternatives to the bridge, including replacing the existing footbridge, which is yards down the line at Cottingham station.

They will also suggest installing an automated on- track crossing with higher fences.

Cllr Jump said: "That line will never be electrified, not in my lifetime.

"They're using a standard design that is just completely over the top. It's crackers."

The suggested bridge would be accessed by ramps on both sides, which are intended to make life easier for disabled people.

But the councillors fear most wheelchair users will be put off by the effort involved.

Cllr Jump said: "It will be bad enough for mums with a buggy, but for people in a wheelchair, it will be a nightmare.

"They will be absolutely jim-jammed by the time they reach the ground."

The bridge is being built as part of upgrade work to go with a supermarket planned for Station Road beside the tracks.

Its developer, Innovating Space, agreed to give Network Rail £250,000 towards the project but the councillors believe the total cost is likely to be about £1m.

Hull Karro Food Group workers in shock as crash tragedy claims lives of three colleagues

November 28, 2013, 3:15 am

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THEY had started the day like any other, rushing to begin their shifts at a bacon factory in the Yorkshire countryside.

But workers at the Karro Food Group factory, on the outskirts of Malton, were sent home yesterday after learning three of their colleagues had lost their lives as they made the journey to work.

A woman and her son were believed to be among the three killed when a Ford Focus crashed with a van on the B1248.

Pavel Tiser, who knew the woman, remembered her as "very small and very nice".

He said: "I had an accident rushing to work myself on these same roads, I skidded on some black ice and ended up in a field."

Crashes are, unfortunately, not uncommon in the country roads around the factory. According to workers, another of their colleagues lost their lives in a similar accident almost a year to the day. And, in 2004, nine workers were injured and a coach driver was killed when two coaches crashed in icy conditions.

Many Poles are among the 1,300-strong workforce employed by the company on the site.

By early evening, machines still whirred inside the factory. In the aftermath of the accident, those who had worked alongside the victims had been sent home.

Charles Pascall, the company's HR director, said: "We have sent a number of people home.

"Counsellors are on hand for them and we don't expect them back at work until they are ready to come back."

The woman who lost her life in the crash is believed to have lived in Hull with her son and husband, who used to work at the factory but has since left.

As workers filed out of the fenced alleyway at the end of their shifts, one woman, who asked to be identified only as Emily, said she had worked alongside the woman in the packing department of the bacon factory.

Emily said: "She was just a really nice, really friendly person. This is so sad."

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Hull FC legend Johnny Whiteley has house named after him at Boulevard Academy

November 28, 2013, 3:45 am

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HE IS one of Hessle Road's most famous faces.

Now, one of five houses at the new Boulevard Academy have been named after Hull FC legend Johnny Whiteley.

The school, which has been built on the site of the historic former Hull FC ground, has taken inspiration from famous East Yorkshire figures to name their five houses after.

Whiteley House is the house linked to sport.

Pupils had the chance to help decide the other four houses which are linked to English, art, science and maths.

With the school taking the name of the former rugby ground, it was inevitable arguably the club's most famous player would be honoured somehow by the school.

Visiting the Boulevard to hand out the first house badges, Mr Whiteley said: "It's a big compliment.

"I have followed this building right through. I have come round on my own and seen it grow. It is absolutely fantastic.

"When the Boulevard was being knocked down we were all so sad.

"It has meant so much to so many people.

"Every family on the estate has some association with Hull FC and the Boulevard, and I don't think we could have had anything any better than this school for the site."

Other notable East Yorkshire people the youngsters chose include Philip Larkin for English, Thomas Ferens for science, John Venn for maths and Frederick Elwell for art.

Mr Whiteley says he is honoured to be among other East Yorkshire greats to be chosen as one of the house names.

He said: "When I see the other four houses I see the names of people in history and I feel very, very humbled.

"I'm just a local boy from the back streets and it is an honour to be linked with people like Larkin and Ferens.

"To be classed in this category makes me so especially proud."

Pupils researched people from East Yorkshire who they might want to name their houses after before a vote was held.

Andy Grace, principal at the academy, off Airlie Street, west Hull, said: "Everyone had a say in it and there was quite a lot of discussion and debate, but not with Whiteley House. It was unanimous."

Hull FC new signing Jordan Rankin: "I want to make a name for myself"

November 28, 2013, 4:01 am

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JORDAN Rankin says his move to Hull FC offers a chance to kick-start his career in the best way possible. The 21-year-old stand-off is waiting in Australia for his visa to be processed before joining Hull FC on a two-year contract. Having become the youngest player in NRL history when he made his debut for Gold Coast Titans, the Aussie has found opportunities difficult to come by in recent years. Eager to play regularly, Rankin has told the club's website he's looking forward to re-launching his career at Hull. "I thought this was a good opportunity to come over there and test myself in the Super League against players I don't know too much about," said Rankin. "It's going to be fresh water and an opportunity to kick-start my career in the best way possible. I want to make a name for myself and I'm really looking forward to it." A former Australian Schoolboys team-mate of his new half-back partner Jacob Miller, Rankin says his old friend has already been filling him in about what to expect at the KC Stadium. "Jacob's told me a fair bit about the city and the supporters," adds Rankin. "He's said the fans are pretty full-on with one side Black and White and one side Red and White, so it's going to be a little bit scary come derby time. "He's said they're all for it and that the fans are massive on their footy. It's pretty similar to the Gold Coast as people are pretty passionate down here too, so hopefully the Hull fans will welcome me with open arms. "There's always that fitting in process when you move clubs and it takes a bit of time, but I'm just looking forward to getting over there."

Hull KR: New signing Kris Keating says he has a "new lease of life" with Robins

November 28, 2013, 4:45 am

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Hull KR scrum-half Kris Keating says his move to Super League has given him a new lease of life.

Keating arrived in Hull last week but will not start training with the Robins until Monday, after being given time to settle into life in East Yorkshire.

Eager to begin his new career at Craven Park, the 25-year-old former Canterbury Bulldogs player says he already feels at home in his new surroundings and has a real zest for the sport again after experiencing the passion for the game in Hull.

"I was at the kit launch on Sunday and that showed me just how important this team is to the fans," Keating told the Mail.

"I could see their passion and it makes me want to repay them for their loyalty.

"They pay their hard-earned cash on membership and kit, and experiencing that and being around the place has given me a new lease of life.

"So far, everything has been good and everyone has helped me and my fianceé Jenna settle in. The directors have been showing me around and I haven't experienced that in my career before."

Keating, who boasts 88 NRL appearances after spells at Canterbury and Parramatta Eels, has been signed to replace former captain Michael Dobson, who swapped Super League for Newcastle Knights at the end of last season.

Stepping into the shoes of a former Dream Team member and a player regarded as one of the best scrum-halves in Super League is a challenge Keating admits will be tough.

Dobson's partnership with stand-off Travis Burns blossomed last season as the club reached the play-offs and building that relationship is one of the new half-back's priorities.

The pair are yet to train together at Craven Park, with Keating not in full training and Burns in rehab following a post-season shoulder operation.

With the stand-off unlikely to be back in full training until the new year, Keating will have to wait to strike up a relationship on the field with his new partner, but he says they've already met up in an effort to build an early necessary understanding between themselves.

"Travis and I are both easy going people," added Keating.

"It's so important for us to get on well off the pitch so we can work well on it.

"Already we have had a couple of chats and I believe we can start well.

"There might be times early in the season where things don't go according to plan, but that is only to be expected.

"Travis will continue to operate on the right hand side and I'll take control of the left, just like Michael did.

"We haven't done much on the pitch as he recovers from surgery, but I think when we get on the pitch together, we'll do well for Rovers."

Hull City owner Assem Allam locked in £3.5m loan dispute with Royal Bank of Scotland

November 28, 2013, 5:00 am

≫ Next: New life for 'blot on Hull landscape' Raywood Villas left empty for 15 years

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OFFICIALS at the Stadium Management Company which runs the KC Stadium are locked in a legal battle with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) after refusing to repay a £2.25m debt, the Mail understands.

The wrangle is thought to date back to a £3.5m loan taken out by a private company associated with the SMC prior to Assem Allam's takeover of Hull City.

The validity of the loan, and how it was issued by RBS, is at the centre of the legal dispute, even though £1.25m has already been repaid.

Mr Allam, who now owns the SMC, is unwilling to repay the outstanding balance because he feels the loan was wrongly issued to a company which should never have had any legal rights against the SMC.

However, a writ has now been issued by RBS for the outstanding £2.25m.

Although the dispute is complex, and now in the hands of Mr Allam's lawyers, the City owner is willing to take it to the High Court in order to get the loan declared non-repayable.

Mr Allam claims any mortgage or loan issued against the SMC would have legally required the signature of a Hull City Council official, as they are the owners of the stadium, which is on a long-lease to the SMC to run on a daily basis.

It is thought the City Council had no involvement in the loan application.

Last night RBS had made no comment despite being contacted by the Mail. Mr Allam also declined to comment.

New life for 'blot on Hull landscape' Raywood Villas left empty for 15 years

November 28, 2013, 5:00 am

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IT HAS been an blot on the landscape for 15 long years. But new life is now being breathed back into a small terraced house in Raywood Villas, west Hull. It is one of 42 previously empty properties currently being renovated by Hull social housing company Giroscope.

The work is part of a wider programme involving the city council and a number of housing partners aimed at creating new living accommodation in 650 previously empty properties. It also marks a sentimental return to where it all began for Giroscope. "We did up our first house down Raywood Villas in the 1980s. Now we own half the houses in the street," said Giroscope founder Martin Newman. Originally set up by a group of students and unemployed people as a worker's co-operative, the company's philosophy always centred on buying, renovating and then letting run-down properties at affordable rents. Recently, successful bids to the Government's Empty Homes Community Grant initiative have accelerated the company's workload. "It's allowed us to bring forward a lot more houses, employ some more people and take on a couple of apprentices which is all good news. "We also try to buy all our materials locally so it's also good for the local economy too," said Mr Newman. However, the current renovation in Raywood Villas is probably not your typical Giroscope project. As yet, because of the scale of work required at the property, a finishing date has yet to be pencilled in. "It's been empty since 1998, so it has involved a lot of work," said Mr Newman. "Having said that, it has also provided some great experience for our volunteers and, as we are going to be the City of Culture in 2017, we don't want to have lots of visitors coming here looking at hundreds of empty properties." Other partners working with the council include Probe, Preston Road Women's Centre, drugs and alcohol support charity DISC, Pickering and Newington Development Association and the Goodwin Development Trust. The projects include the possible refurbishment of the derelict New York Hotel in Anlaby Road, west Hull, and the empty Cornmill Hotel in Holderness Road, east Hull. The council is refurbishing 72 bedsits by converting them into one-bedroom flats is also looking to convert two shops, offices and a former care home it owns into new living accommodation. Councillor John Black, portfolio holder for council infrastructure, said: "Working with our partners is vital to bringing 650 properties back into use across the city, it allows us to join forces and bring together all our knowledge and resource to ensure we develop, progress and complete the essential programme. "The council is committed to bringing as many empty properties as possible back in use to increase the housing stock in the city."