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JAKE Livermore is adamant Hull City should be aiming to climb into the top half of the Premier League rather than looking over their shoulder. With just three games to go until the season reaches its halfway stage, City are looking down from the lofty position of 12th in the table. Livermore has been an integral part of that early-season success, making 14 starts as the Tigers have picked up 19 points from 16 matches. And the midfielder, who has expressed his desire to turn a season-long loan from Tottenham into a permanent stay, insists the upper echelons of the top flight are not beyond Steve Bruce's side. "I personally don't like to look at what's below us. I want to be positive and look what's above us," said the 24-year-old, ahead of Saturday's trip to 16th-placed West Brom. "We're sitting firmly in the middle of the table, which is great for us, and we hope to build on that. "We won't rest on any laurels because everyone in the squad has got a point to prove, which is great. I include myself in that, Allan McGregor, Tom Huddlestone, Curtis Davies, we're all here to prove a point it seems. "We're all striving for the same outcome and we want to finish as high up the table as possible."

• Will AVB's sacking scupper Jake Livermore to Hull City transfer?

Jake Livermore: Hull City should target top-half Premier League finish

HULL East MP Karl Turner has helped cover the costs of a café providing free meals on Christmas Day. Mr Turner has raised £500 from businesses in his constituency for the Rovers Return in Holderness Road, which will be serving people who cannot afford to make their own Christmas dinner. Mr Turner made the gesture after reading, on the Mail's Holderness Road page, how the café needed help to carry out its plan. Café co-owner Barry Kipling said: "It was right out of the blue. This wasn't waiting for the icing on the cake, this was the whole cake in one. Fair play to the man." Mr Turner used the money left over from his school Christmas card competition. He asked the supporting businesses if they were happy for him to give the excess to the Rovers Return and they agreed. Mr Turner said: "This is such a wonderful initiative and a superb example of communities pulling together in hard times. "More and more people in Hull are turning to food banks and payday lenders and Christmas is a time when financial pressures increase significantly for families. "As soon as I saw the article in the Hull Daily Mail, I thought we may be able to help. "I would like to thank Barry for all his hard work and dedication to the local community." With the costs of providing free meals for 50 people coming to about £400, Mr Turner's fundraising contribution covers the bill in full. The MP also persuaded the Mount Pleasant Asda in east Hull to donate 50 portions of Christmas pudding and custard to the café. The politician is not the only one who has been digging deep. Mr Kipling has been taken aback by the response he has received from the public. He said: "It's absolutely amazing the response we are getting. We are getting people come in off the street with £1 and £2. A garage donated its £50 tip jar. Everything is going to plan." The support they have received means that Mr Kipling, along with his partner, Jacqueline Newson, who does the cooking on Christmas Day, can drop the £8 price they had to charge in previous years to cover costs. The Christmas Day clientele tend to be the elderly, who do not have any family to go to at Christmas, and the homeless. However, they are hoping to widen the scope this year and attract a variety of people from the area, including families who are struggling to afford to make a Christmas dinner themselves. The meal consists of two courses and diners will be able to choose between five main courses and five desserts.

Hull MP helps save Rovers Return cafe Christmas dinner for poor

Hull FC head off today for a three-day training camp at the home of the Football Association with their numbers swelled by three rising stars. Teenagers Jack Downs, Jansin Turgut and Brad Fash have been invited by head coach Lee Radford to join the first team players on their second camp of pre-season. Unlike their trip to an army barracks in the first week of pre-season, Hull's players will see the emphasis switch from fitness to skill as Radford continues to reshape his side's philosophies and style. For Hull's three Under-19s players, who are part of the club's ASSE Scholarship scheme at Bishop Burton College, the week represents a chance to further their growing reputations. "I'm looking forward to going and it's nice I've been recognised for doing well by being selected to go. It's going to be a good opportunity," explained Turgut. The second-row has been earning rave reviews and recently celebrated selection to the England Academy squad for 2014. "I won't be doing anything different this week, I don't think you should approach it like that. I'll be getting my head down and working hard," he said. "The more time I spend with the first team the more comfortable it gets. I'll be taking note of the senior guys like Gareth Ellis, Danny Houghton and Richard Horne and picking up as much as I can." Hull are currently blessed with a young back-row to savour. Joining Turgut on this week's camp is loose-forward Brad Fash, a 17-year-old former West Hull player, and 18-year-old second-row Jack Downs, who like Turgut is part of the England Academy squad. The trio all attended Hull's gruelling army camp back in the first week of November, with their fitness levels impressing Radford. Now an opportunity presents itself for them to shine on the rugby field, something ex-Hessle High school pupil Fash insists he's keen to do. "It's going to be a really good week and I'm really excited about going," says Fash. "The army camp was great but tough, this will be different, but it's great being in with the first team again. "When you get these chances it makes you want to progress even more. That's why we are here and that's the aim, to get to being in the first team squad in the future. I'm doing everything possible to get in the right shape and make the progression so I can get a first team deal."

Hull FC promote young Jack Downs, Jansin Turgut and Brad Fash to squad for FA training camp

THE FANS have spoken and by a majority of 2-1 they have given an impassioned plea to Hull City owner Assem Allam to keep the club's historic name. In a poll of 3,450 fans by the Hull Daily Mail, 2,370 (68.7%) said they wanted the club to retain its full name of 'Hull City AFC' – which has stood with the club since 1904 – or simply 'Hull City'. A significantly smaller 604 were in favour of renaming the club 'Hull City Tigers' or 'Hull Tigers', Mr Allam's preferred choice. A sizeable minority of 476 said they didn't care what the club is called. But in its simplest form, the results show a majority of fans polled oppose Mr Allam's plan. In total 59.7 per cent wanted the name Hull City AFC, with another 9 per cent opting for Hull City. Fans who preferred Hull Tigers, Hull City Tigers or who "didn't care" accounted for 31.3 per cent. The results show some weakening in the opposition since Mr Allam's plans were first revealed by the Mail in August. Then, in another Mail poll, 77.7 per cent, voted for Hull City AFC to remain. But the new results continue to undermine Mr Allam's insistence that only a minority of fans oppose his controversial plans. Our poll also gives an indication of how much opposition Mr Allam can expect if he presses ahead with the rebrand. It suggests a significant number of fans could boycott games, cancel season tickets, stop buying club merchandise and hold protests inside and outside the KC stadium on match days. Although 61.5 per cent of fans said they would continue to attend "Hull Tigers" games, 24.7 per cent said they would not. A further 13.8 per cent are undecided. A sizeable 61.5 per cent of all those who voted said they would not buy 'Hull Tigers' branded merchandise. And 22.5 per cent indicated that they may not renew their season ticket for the club. Those statistics will be troubling for City as any commercial loss will be keenly felt by the club. It also appears to call into question the immediate economic benefit of a rebrand which Mr Allam has been keen to suggest, although there is still a suggestion the Tigers branding could itself be linked to a key sponsorship deal. Fans opposed to the name change also indicate that they will continue with protests, despite appeals by manager Steve Bruce not to bring the dispute into the ground during games. In total, 40.7 per cent of those polled said they would protest inside or outside the ground, while 22.8 per cent said they would limit protests to outside. A further 31 per cent said they would not conduct any protests. In the light of Mr Allam's comments that he would consider leaving the club if his renaming plans were opposed, a significant number of fans did appear to have concerns about the longer-term impact on the club. Asked if fans would drop opposition if there was a threat to future investment, 32.6 per cent said they would with a further 10.9 per cent saying they would consider it. Another 7.1 per cent were undecided. A slight minority, 49.4 per cent, said their opposition would continue even if it threatened future investment. Hull City have declined to make further comment on the name change but in an interview with the Hull Daily Mail last month, Mr Allam insisted he was acting in the club's best interests.• The poll was conducted from Thursday December 12 to Sunday December 15 on hulldailymail.co.uk with data being gathered with independent survey software. Entries were automatically restricted to single computer IP addresses to prevent multiple submissions.

Hull City poll results: 3,450 fans give their verdict on controversial Hull Tigers rebrand

A YOUNG man with paranoid schizophrenia hanged himself in prison because the authorities saw him as a criminal, rather than a patient. Vince Morgan, 29, was found hanged in his cell at HMP Northallerton in North Yorkshire, where he was serving an 18-month sentence for assaulting his father. Now, the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Health are facing calls to urgently review the way those with psychological disorders are dealt with by the legal system. Vince, who lived with his parents Trevor and Sharon in west Hull, died on December 28 last year – his mother's birthday – six weeks after he was transferred from HMP Hull. A week-long inquest into his death, held in Northallerton, ended with a jury returning a verdict of misadventure and the conclusion that "problems surrounding Mr Morgan's behaviour were treated as a discipline issue, rather than medical". Vince's parents believe their son would still be alive had he been sent to a secure hospital, rather than a prison, as they had expected. Trevor, 55, said: "Vince was let down and we want to prevent other families going through what we have this past year. It has devastated our family. "His death has destroyed us. We're receiving counselling and are struggling to cope with what has happened." In the days leading up to Vince's death there was a lack of communication from healthcare workers to prison staff, the inquest heard. On December 26, two days prior to his death, a meeting was held to discuss Vince's case and he was moved to a single cell, but no reference was made to a relapse and risk management report that had been compiled at HMP Hull before his transfer. This report contained "key information" that a decline in personal hygiene, such as that happening to Vince, was indicative of a decline in mental health. Coroner Michael Oakley has now written to the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Health with recommendations. He said: "Governors and healthcare providers in prisons should review the policy of how to become involved if a mental health rapid transfer comes up. "And the governor and health provider should also review how information is streamed between all relevant staff members." The jury concluded: "Mr Morgan suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and delusional disorders. "His symptoms were only partially controlled by medication and his medication was under ongoing review. "It is unlikely, given his mental health issues and learning difficulties, that he was capable of fully knowing the consequences of his act. "Mr Morgan's personal hygiene problems had escalated in the days prior to his death, which would be an indication of a deterioration in his mental health. "In the days leading up to the act there was a lack of communication from healthcare staff to prison discipline staff. "There was a failure in the system of the transfer of information from healthcare to discipline staff, which resulted in critical information not being made available to all relevant staff members. "Consequently, the problems around Mr Morgan's behaviour were treated as a discipline issue rather than medical." Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson has also written to Mr Grayling and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt MP expressing his concern. Mr Johnson said, although recognising the inquest needed to focus on events immediately before Vince's death, he believed lessons "much wider" than those contained in the coroner's report needed to be learned. He said: "This young man with a psychotic illness was given an excessive prison sentence, was receiving no medical treatment at Hull Prison, was transferred to Northallerton without any reference to his parents, and then moved to a cell on his own in A wing. "The whole episode shows a complete disregard for Mr Morgan's close family." In another letter to health and legal bodies, Mr Johnson suggested Vince's angst was exasperated after being told by Humberside Probation Trust that he was to be moved to a bail hostel on his release and would not be allowed to return to his parents' home. "No discussion had taken place with Mr and Mrs Morgan and this news, given to a young man with psychotic illness, was devastating in relation to his state of mind," he said. "I find the most astonishing aspect of this case to be the way that Vince Morgan's loving parents were excluded from any discussion concerning his future."

Hanged Hull man Vince Morgan 'failed by system', rules inquest jury

Hull actress Laura Mould has made her TV debut in Coronation Street. She tells Will Ramsey about her journey from Hull Truck Youth Theatre to the soaps.

HER television debut was marked with a handful of chocolate mousse and the naked chest of a Coronation Street star. Laura Mould, an actress from West Hull, made a messy, but memorable, appearance on the famous soap last Wednesday.

Playing a raucous member of a hen party at the Bistro, the 25-year-old smeared dessert on a topless Kal Nazir, played by Jimi Mistry.

"It was a good giggle," said the former St Mary's College pupil. "I said I didn't want dessert – I wanted him for dessert."

Laura, a graduate of the Manchester School of Theatre, had been alerted to the role by her agents, Keddie Scott Associates.

The brief called for a "bolshy, confident young woman" who was going to enjoy herself.

"It seemed too fun a role to turn down," said Laura.

The Manchester-based actress, who discovered her love for drama at Hull Truck Youth Theatre, didn't see the script until 15 minutes before the audition.

Held at the ITV studios at Salford Quays, Laura got a glimpse of the set of the famed street as she walked through to the test.

Winning the part of Jane Henshaw proved fascinating for this long-time Corrie fan.

"It was wonderful. Everybody was so respectful, so it was a great way to get into my first TV role," said Laura.

"I was able to learn from watching the professionals who had been doing it for years but there was not much time to stop and think, I was there to get the job done."

Filming began at 7.30am and finished 12 hours later.

"Having trained at drama school, I was used to long days," said Laura.

"With each scene there is a lot of time spent making sure every angle is covered and the people on set were fantastic.

"There is time to have fun in between takes but it is a very focused environment."

Watching at home in Hull were her parents Jeanette and Keith.

"I used to watch Coronation Street with my family and I had visited the set when I was younger," said Laura.

"My dad had taken a picture of me outside Vera Duckworth's house and had sent me the photo on the day of the filming to remind me.

"He said 'Can you believe you are back at Coronation Street?'"

She said her family have been very supportive about her choice of career.

"Mum and dad watched it and sent me a photo of them with a glass of champagne," Laura said.

"I am very much a family girl and they have supported me through everything.

"It is a really difficult career and one which I've not taken lightly at all.

"I feel really privileged to be doing what I want to."

Laura was 12 when she joined Hull Truck Youth Theatre.

Later on, she worked with the theatre as a teaching facilitator for a schools' tour of the John Godber play Teechers.

She also had a minor role in Funny Turns, the John Godber play that opened the new Hull Truck Theatre in Ferensway in 2009.

"I got my letter to say I'd got into drama school while I was in the show, which was nice," she said.

Laura keeps in touch with friends from city, including fellow former St Mary's pupil Tim Lutkin.

Her first stage role was in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar at St Mary's, which Tim had directed.

Now a lighting designer in the West End, Tim's work was recognised at this year's Olivier Awards.

"We are still friends on Facebook so it was wonderful to see he had won the award," she said.

Although she now lives in the north-west, Laura would enjoy an acting role in Hull.

"I would love to bring something back to the city," she said.

"It was Hull Truck which set me on the way. If I had not been to the youth theatre, I don't think I'd be doing what I am now.

"Mark Rees, from Truck, was so encouraging – he is a wonderful man who I still keep in touch with now. He guided me through my application for drama school."

Laura, who works as a supply teacher in between acting roles, graduated from the Manchester School of Theatre in 2012.

She says a role in Emmerdale would be a dream and has enjoyed the feedback on Coronation Street role on social media.

"I was a one-night only appearance but it was lovely to hear one person ask if I was a new character that was being set up," she said.

Laura saw her TV debut at her flat with her brother, Matthew, who works for the BBC in Manchester.

"I think he was slightly cringing," said Laura with a grin.

"But with him at the BBC and me at ITV it was a really nice image for mum and dad, to think we are both where we want to be in life."

• Visit www.keddiescott.com for more information about Laura and follow her on Twitter at @laura_mould.

Coronation Street TV debut for Hull actress Laura Mould

Budding singers queued to audition for the X Factor when its mobile unit visited the Prospect Centre in Hull on Saturday. About 200 were hoping to get through to the second stage of the competition in Manchester. Jane Watkins, 29, from Hull impressed judges with her version of Plan B's song She Said. She said: "I'm still shaking from my audition. It was so nerve-racking but I am really excited that I have got through to the next stage. Fingers crossed I do well in Manchester." Hull singer Ryan Mathie, who took part in the mobile audition last year before making it all the way to the judge's houses, returned to the Prospect Centre to support the singers hoping to follow in his footsteps. He said: "It's really strange being back here a year on since I first auditioned, but it is great to be able to support people."

Pictures: X Factor auditions at Hull Prospect Centre

North Ferriby United will have to win promotion through the play-offs after AFC Telford held their nerve to clinch the Conference North title. Ferriby's 1-1 draw with Brackley was not enough to catch Telford, who beat Gainsborough 3-0. The Villagers went into the game a point behind Telford and when Danny Clarke gave them the lead after 18 minutes, they briefly topped the real-time table. Telford soon took control against Gainsborough, however, and Brackley's late equaliser at Ferriby made no difference to the finishing positions. The Villagers will now face Guiseley in the play-offs, with the first leg away from home on Wednesday before the second leg next Saturday at the Eon Visual Media Stadium. Guiseley won both league encounters this season against the Villagers, who are playing in the Conference North for the first time having been promoted last year. Should they make it through to the play-off final on May 10, Ferriby will play at home as reward for finishing second in the league. Rather than be disappointed at missing out on the title, Ferriby manager Billy Heath says he couldn't be prouder of his players. "I told them before the game and after the game how proud I was of them," said Heath. "We started the season with the remit of staying in the league, so to finish second is a terrific achievement. "We've struggled with injuries recently and not played well the last month or so, but we'll go into the play-offs confident."

AFC Telford pip North Ferriby United to Conference North title

Hull City all but confirmed their Premier League status for another season as they produced a dramatic comeback to snatch a 2-2 draw at relegation rivals Fulham. The Tigers had appeared set for an alarming tumble into the relegation mix when trailing 2-0 through goals from Ashkan Dejagah and Fernando Amorebieta midway through the second half, but delivered a stirring response to stun Craven Cottage. With 15 minutes remaining, Nikica Jelavic nodded in from six yards out after the ball had rebounded kindly off the bar. Then, Shane Long converted Sone Aluko's deep cross for a priceless 87th minute equaliser. The result does not quite guarantee City's safety but a seven-point advantage over the bottom three means it will require a miraculous turnaround for Steve Bruce's men to return to the Championship. With the onus on City avoiding defeat to all but confirm their safety, Bruce returned to the wing-back system that had served him well on the road. Alex Bruce replaced George Boyd and slotted into a three-man defence flanked by James Chester and Curtis Davies. Fulham welcomed back Lewis Holtby, Mahamadou Diarra and Sascha Riether as they chased a win that would lift them out of the bottom three. The early signs were promising for the hosts. John Arne Riise was the first to threaten when shooting wide from a good position on the edge of the box, before the lively frontman Hugo Rodallega sent in a wicked cross that missed everyone. The majority of supporters inside Craven Cottage urged their side to keep up the pressure, but City's disciplined shape soon sucked much of the life out of a nervous contest. Fulham enjoyed the lion's share of possession but lacked the guile to make it count. HullFulham

TOUGH CONTEST: Shane Long battles Johnny Heitinga.

City were a less than convincing attacking force, though. Only Nikica Jelavic's tame header at David Stockdale and Liam Rosenior's deflected shot over the bar came close to threatening an away goal until a contentious moment late in the first half. The pace of Shane Long took him in behind Fulham's defence and when he ran across the backtracking full-back Fernando Amorebieta, a fall inside the box appeared to have won his side a penalty. Referee Lee Mason saw it differently, though, and waved play on. City fumed on the sidelines but had perhaps been done few favours by Ahmed Elmohamady, booked earlier in the half for diving. Fulham's intensity had ebbed away by the break so Felix Magath responded by making two changes. Kieran Richardson and Dejagah both came on to spice up the Cottagers' attacking play, and when Darren Bent followed soon after it was clear Fulham were going for broke. And it paid off. Dejagah, one of the half-time substitutes, was afforded space to shoot from the right of the penalty area and his curling shot sailed past the previously unworked Steve Harper. The opener lifted the roof of Craven Cottage and before the Tigers could respond it was 2-0. Kieran Richardson's cross from the left was attacked by the advanced Amorebieta and his downward header was precisely directed into the bottom corner. jelavic

LIFELINE: Nikica Jelavic makes it 2-1.

The lethargic Tigers appeared to be dead and buried but were tossed a fortunate lifeline with 15 minutes remaining. Right-back Sascha Riether inadvertently sent the ball looping over David Stockdale and though the keeper tipped the ball on to the bar, Jelavic was alert to nod in the rebound. City were buoyed and suddenly sensed what had appeared an unlikely comeback. Sone Aluko, another substitute to make an impression, worked space 25 yards out and let fly, only to see his shot strike the crossbar. The Tigers were soon grateful to Harper. A break down the left flank through Rodallega stretched the visitors but the City keeper was brave to smother at the feet of Dejagah. It would prove to be a mighty intervention as City responded with a magnificent late rally. Unperturbed by Elmohamady's shot against the foot of the post, the Tigers levelled it up with three minutes remaining. Aluko's cross missed out every defender and Long was on hand to head past Stockdale from six yards out. The 2,000 travelling fans were a pocket of joy inside an otherwise numb stadium. It proved to be the final act of a compelling fixture but City were the only ones celebrating a point that somehow felt much bigger than the 36 others. bruce

PRESSURE: Steve Bruce endured another dramatic afternoon.

Fulham: David Stockdale, Sascha Riether, John Heitinga, Brede Hangeland, Fernando Amorebieta, Scott Parker, Steve Sidwell (Darren Bent 54), John Arne Riise (Ashkan Dejagah 46), Mahamadou Diarra, Lewis Holtby (Kieran Richardson 46), Hugo RodallegaSubs not used: Maarten Stekelenburg, Pajtim Kasami, Cauley Woodrow, Patrick Roberts.

Hull City: Steve Harper, Ahmed Elmohamady, James Chester, Alex Bruce (Sone Aluko 67), Curtis Davies, Liam Rosenior (George Boyd 81), David Meyler (Yannick Sagbo 81), Tom Huddlestone, Jake Livermore, Shane Long, Nikica Jelavic. Subs not used: Eldin Jakupovic, Robert Koren, Matty Fryatt, Stephen Quinn.

Fulham 2 Hull City 2 match report: Tigers snatch point in dramatic comeback

Steve Bruce hailed a "remarkable achievement" as Hull City produced a stirring late comeback to secure a point at Fulham that all but guarantees Premier League survival. The Tigers trailed 2-0 with 15 minutes left at Craven Cottage and looked about to be dragged into a relegation battle. But goals from Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long stunned the Fulham faithful and kept City six points clear of the bottom three and on the brink of safety. With Norwich losing to Manchester United this evening, and bottom club Sunderland hosting relegation rivals Cardiff on Sunday, it would now take an exceptional turnaround to deny Bruce's team a second season in the top flight. The City manager stopped short of saying his side were safe from relegation this evening, but admitted 37 points would probably be enough. "We might be safe tomorrow when we look at those games," he said. "If we hadn't have got the point today we might have still been in it - 37 points might be enough but we've got three games to go and to get ourselves into this position is all credit to the players. "We've been in and around mid-table since last September and to get to a cup final and to be hopefully safe with three games to go is a remarkable achievement by the players."

WOW! Another day of making it hard for ourselves. Great character to get the point in the end. Fulham can't catch us, now we wait.... #HCAFC
— Curtis Davies #6 (@TheCurtisDavies) April 26, 2014

After City frustrated Fulham in the first 45, Cottagers boss Felix Magath responded at half-time by bolstering his attack with Kieran Richardon and Ashkan Dejageh, before sending on Darren Bent soon after, and he was quickly rewarded with two goals in three minutes from Dejageh and Fernando Amorebieta. "They've gone for it with four up top and all of a sudden we're 2-0 down," said Bruce. "But as usual we responded in the right way. It's not often you come back from 2-0 down but if any team's going to do it, these have got a chance to do it. "We've hit the bar and Elmohamady's hit the post and you're thinking it isn't your day, but we stuck at it and produced a bit of quality towards the end.

Good point!! Took us 45 mins and 2-0 down before we got started. But any point in this league away from home is a positive
— Tom Huddlestone (@Huddz8) April 26, 2014

"The reason we're 13th and in the FA Cup final is we don't give up, we have a crack at it and we keep on going and we rightly got the rewards today."• Arsenal are a point clear of Everton and have a game in hand in the race for fourth place this evening, after Roberto Martínez's side slumped to a 2-0 defeat at Southampton. The Gunners host Newcastle on Monday. Hull City will qualify for the Europa League whatever the result of the FA Cup final, if Arsenal finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League.

Boom! Get in... Big result for us today! Quality from the lads to come back from 2-0 down. Always nice to get a goal aswell! #UTT
— shane long (@Shanelong009) April 26, 2014

Steve Bruce: Hull City rewarded at Fulham for never giving up

Brad Rial endured another roller coaster afternoon as Hull City drew on all their reserves to produce a late comeback at Fulham and secure a 2-2 draw that all but guarantees another season in the Premier League. He picks out the key talking points.Was Steve Bruce's system to blame Steve Bruce ultimately got the point that he was looking for at Craven Cottage on Saturday but for the majority of the game, his side just didn't turn up. It's no exaggeration to say that Hull City's performance for the first 70 minutes or so was as bad as it has been all season. They barely mustered a shot on target and Fulham, although far from outstanding, deserved their two-goal lead. Perhaps the reason for City's abject performance was the starting formation. When called upon, the 3-5-2 has served them brilliantly over the past two seasons but for two-thirds of the game today, it led to their downfall. City offered little to no attacking threat up to the point when Fulham scored their two goals, and after an hour or so, supporters were preparing themselves for a relegation scrap in the final three games. Up front, Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long were looking increasingly isolated and in midfield, Tom Huddlestone was struggling to stamp his authority on the match. Huddlestone should be dominating games like this, but when there are only two men ahead of you at any given moment, it's difficult to do that. He saw a lot of the ball in the first half but the system meant he just wasn't able to spray passes about like he's used to. As was the case at Stoke last month, City played for the point. At the Britannia, the game plan didn't pay off as an Ahmed Elmohamady error gifted the Potters three points in what was an even game. Today, City managed to claw their way back into it – but only after Bruce took a gamble and brought off his son Alex, one of three centre backs. If City had started with four at the back and thrown George Boyd or Sone Aluko into the mix from the off, they may well have ended up with all three points.Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic: You get what you pay for Let's be honest, Fulham are not a great side. City proved that when they demolished them at the KC in December and they are in the bottom three for a reason. So, by that logic, I'd have liked to have seen City attack them from the first whistle and test what is the worst defence in the league. That said it was obviously great to see the Tigers ultimately recover a two-goal deficit. Six months ago, City would have lost this game. You get what you pay for in football and in Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long, Steve Bruce has got two strikers who are always capable of popping up with important goals. You could argue both finishes were relatively simple, but these were exactly the type of goals City just weren't scoring before signing Jelavic and Long. They give opposition defenders something to think about and even when they are having quiet games – which they both absolutely were – you always feel like they can score. Jelavic's goal came about via a bit of a freak deflection, but he still had to be in the position to put it away. That's four goals for him now (it should really be five, but the one at West Ham has, for some reason, being awarded to Huddlestone, despite Jelavic getting the final touch) and that is a decent return. Long has also scored four, and his goal on Saturday owed much to the pinpoint cross of Sone Aluko. Talking about Aluko, we all know he has struggled to find his feet since returning from injury, but the assist may just prove to be the confidence boost he needs. Whether he has done enough in the eyes of Bruce to warrant a start at Villa next week remains to be seen. Personally, I'd like to see him take the place of Alex Bruce. That's not a slight on the ability of Bruce, but I simply don't feel three centre backs are required when City are playing sides of a similar level of ability. A 4-3-1-2, with Aluko "in the hole" behind Long and Jelavic, I can see us causing a fragile Villa side problems and, with survival pretty much assured now, City should go there and express themselves.Tigers surely safe now Barring a turnaround of mathematically miraculous proportions, City now cannot be caught by Fulham, which leaves just two relegation places available for the Tigers to slip into. Norwich's defeat at Old Trafford leaves them five points behind City with Chelsea and Arsenal still to play. Although they can still finish on 38 points, it seems improbable to say the least. Should Cardiff lose at Sunderland tomorrow, they will not be able catch City either. A draw wouldn't do a lot for either side but it would theoretically leave both with a chance of supplanting the Tigers (although the Bluebirds' poor goal difference makes that exceedingly unlikely). A victory for the Black Cats would give them a realistic opportunity to condemn Cardiff, Fulham and Norwich to the drop. Under any permutations, Cardiff must still play Chelsea before the end of the season and Sunderland will face a resurgent Manchester United. Basically, City are safe. They may have only gained one point on Saturday, but the key factor was not to lose ground to Fulham. If Long had not scored that crucial equaliser, the Cottagers would have climbed within three points of City and, with three tricky games still to come, we would all have been nervously looking over our shoulders. It was a far from vintage performance from City today but at this stage of the season it is, as the cliché goes, a results business. They got the necessary result today and fans can now look forward to another season of Premier League football – not to mention the FA Cup final and, all being well, European football.

• Brad Rial is a student journalist and lifelong Hull City fan who writes every week for the Mail. Follow him on twitter @BradRial

Hull City talking points: Great comeback, but ditch the 3-5-2 and play Sone Aluko in the hole

MUSIC legend Johnny Pat is aiming to bring some shake, rattle and roll to Hull's political corridors of power. The 72-year-old entertainer has decided to stand as a candidate in next month's city council elections.

The guitarist, whose full name is Johnny Paterson, will represent UKIP in the Drypool ward in east Hull.

He said: "I've got a bucket list of things I want to do before I kick the bucket and standing for election is one of them.

"I went to Sun Studios last year and that was on my bucket list. Now I've got the chance to tick another one off."

The veteran musician, who first made his name with 1960s Hull band The Aces and now runs his own academy for budding entertainers, said: "Being an election candidate is something I've always fancied doing. When the opportunity came along I jumped at it."

The idea was suggested to him by Hull UKIP activist and long-time friend Ken Hordon.

He said: "I've known Ken for years, from when he ran a number of social clubs and venues around the town.

"To be honest, they had someone drop out so Ken asked if I would consider standing.

"I told him I would love to have a go.

"I went out on Holderness Road to get ten signatures for my nomination form and I got them all in a matter of minutes, it was amazing.

"I don't expect to win, but I'm going to give it my best shot."

Having recently returned from playing in the New Orleans Mardi Gras with Hull pianist Al Kilvington, he now faces getting to grips with a whole new audience.

He said: "I know UKIP get a lot of bad press and I don't agree with some of their national policies but this is a local election and people who know me know that I'm passionate about local issues.

"Because of my work with young people, I want to see them being given opportunities to do well in life.

"I've had 61 kids through my academy over the years and all but one of them have gone to work in the entertainment industry."

UKIP is fielding its largest ever line-up of candidates in Hull.

Among them is Sergi Singh, the owner of the Jackpot convenience store in Chamberlain Road, east Hull, who is standing in Holderness ward.

Another eye-catching name among the more familiar main party candidates for the May 22 council election is Simon Kelsey, whose house in Coltman Street was the star of a national television property makeover series.

He is standing as an Independent in St Andrews ward in west Hull.

He said: "I don't know why more people don't stand as Independents. I want to represent the interests of our community, not those of a political party because I am passionate about this area."

He once stood as a so-called "paper candidate" representing Labour.

He said: "I never had a realistic chance of winning but this time I think I've got a chance.

"It's time to bring an end to absentee councillors who live a long way from the ward they are supposed to represent."

He is the only Independent standing for election.

Other fringe candidates include Paul Spooner and Pete Marsh, who are campaigning under the Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts, in Holderness ward and Southcoates West ward respectively.

Labour currently has a comfortable majority on the council over the main opposition Liberal Democrat group at the Guildhall despite the recent departures of Gill Kennett and Dean Kirk in protest at budget cuts.

The candidates and wards

Lab – Labour, LD – Liberal Democrat, Con – Conservative, UKIP – UK Independence Party, Ind – Independent, G – Green Party.

Avenue: Marjorie Brabazon (Lab), Simone Butterworth (LD), Martin Deane (G), Alexander Hayward (Con).

Boothferry: Daniel Bond (Con), Ruth Payne (LD), Phil Pocknee (Lab), Paul Salvidge (UKIP).

Bransholme East: Colin Baxter (Con), Anita Harrison (Lab), Eleanor Wood (LD).

Bransholme West: Eden Barnes (Con), Philip Webster (Lab), David Woods (LD); Colin Worrall (UKIP).

Bricknell: John Farehan (Con), Peter Johnson (UKIP), Sassy Robinson (LD), Karen Rouse-Deane (Lab), James Russell (G).

Derringham: Gwen Lunn (Lab), Cheryl Payne (LD), Brian Shepherd (UKIP), Eleonor Whitehead (Con).

Drypool: Salman Anwar (Con), Linda Chambers (LD), Jan Hornby (Lab), Johnny Pat (UKIP).

Holderness: John Crompton (Con, Jackie Dad (LD), Sergi Singh (UKIP), Paul Spooner (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts), Denise Thompson (Lab).

Ings: Philip Mackay (Con), Adam Phillips (UKIP), John Robinson (LD), Mike Thompson (Lab).

Longhill: Carol Clarkson (Lab), Sophie Fairburn (UKIP), Leslie Fisher (Con), Elaine Keal (LD).

Marfleet (two vacancies): Sharon Belcher (Lab), Sean Chaytor (Lab), James Galer (Con), Jake Morrison (Con), Julian Penna (UKIP), Brian Tompsett (LD). Margaret Tompsett (LD).

Myton: Lee Fallin (LD), Michael Lammiman (G), Martin Mancey (Lab), Josh Myers (Con), Stan Smith (UKIP).

Newington: Stephanie Bond (Con), Alan Clark (Lab), Gillian Coupland (UKIP), Steve Carter (LD).

Orchard Park and Greenwood: Dehenna Davison (Con), Terry Geraghty (Lab), Karl Hordon (UKIP), Angela Needham (G), Christine Randall (LD).

Pickering: Abigail Bell (LD), Mall Fields (Lab), Naomi Fuller (Con), Peter Mawer (UKIP).

Southcoates East: Richard Barrett (UKIP), Sam Beckton (Con), David Gemmell (Lab), Allen Healand (LD).

Southcoates West: Steve Brady (Lab), Michael Chambers (LD), Oliver Harris (Con), Mike Hookem (UKIP), Pete Marsh (Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts).

St Andrews: Robert Cook (Con), Ken Fairburn (UKIP), Nadine Fudge (Lab), Tracey Henry (LD). Simon Kelsey (Ind).

Sutton: Terry Keal (LD),Tony Morfitt (UKIP), Christopher Oakley (Con), Theresa Vaughan (Lab).

University: Vicky Butler (UKIP). Leon French (Con), Richard Howarth (G), Chris Randall (LD), Steve Wilson (Lab).

Johnny Pat to stand for UKIP in Hull City Council elections

After 48 years with Humberside Police, crime scene investigator Tony Dickinson is retiring. He tells crime reporter Jenna Thompson about his career and hundreds of cases.

HE IS a veteran of hundreds of crime scene investigations.

From the most violent murders to fatal fires and drug deaths, crime scene investigation supervisor Tony Dickinson has seen it all up close.

But after 48 years with Humberside Police, he is now stepping out of his forensic suit and retiring.

"I have seen some things you never expect to see," says Mr Dickinson, 65.

"It becomes your job and you do get used to it in a way, but there are some cases that affect you more than others and that I can still picture now."

Mr Dickinson joined the Hull City Police as a cadet in 1966, when he had just turned 17.

"It was like a baptism of fire," he says.

"I was just a young boy at the time."

It took two years of making tea and fixing the boiler at Gordon Street police station for him to become a constable. Even then, his only duty was to walk his beat off Hessle Road for eight hours a day.

At the time, police did not have radios, homosexuality was a criminal offence and senior officers had guns.

"It has changed a lot, but there are always changes in policing," Mr Dickinson says.

After 20 years working on the streets and in CID, he found his calling when he joined Humberside's crime scene investigation team in the late 1980s.

Since then, he has been sent to the scenes of more than 40 murders and 100 drugs deaths.

The tiny clues found by Mr Dickinson and his team's meticulous examinations have frequently provided the crucial piece of evidence needed to arrest and convict a killer.

Ask which cases he has been involved in and he reels off a list of some of East Yorkshire's most high-profile murders – Rachel Moran, Lynne Barwick, Simon Ash, Joan Charlton.

More recently, he examined the gruesome scene inside antique dealer Peter Battle's home. His body lay undiscovered for weeks after being bludgeoned to death by thief Graham Richardson.

However, Mr Dickinson still remembers the first murder scene he attended – a woman who had been shot dead by her former partner in the East Riding village of Seaton.

"It was daunting, really," he says.

"I was there as a learning curve with another officer, but I didn't know what to do."

CRIME LAB: Tony Dickinson with CSI Kelly Bilsby.

Over time, he picked it up and put his detective's mind to good use as he hunted for blood spots, fingerprints, footwear marks and any bodily fluids which could provide DNA.

"I think I have an investigative mind," he says.

"I would sit and think about how it has happened, where they have been, what they have done and how.

"Then I would think about what I was looking for and try to recover things – as well as taking photographs and videos of the scene."

During his career, advances in technology have made the chances of securing DNA much easier.

"We used to need a huge amount of blood to get a DNA profile," he says, taking a sip of his coffee.

"Now, I could probably swab around the edge of this mug and the handle and get a full profile for somebody.

"CCTV has helped a lot as well, as we are able to track where people have been."

Despite admitting he has grown accustomed to the sight of dead bodies, some cases would still leave him reeling.

"After a while, you think you will never be shocked by what one person can do to another," he says.

"But it still does. Some of them have injuries that are so severe. I did one case where the person had 113 stab wounds and another where a man killed his partner in an argument about whose turn it was to make tea.

"You just ask yourself why. They didn't deserve that."

Crucial evidence helped bring murderers to justice

Tony Dickinson has helped to convict several killers by finding crucial evidence.

• In the case of Hull prostitute Lynne Barwick, who was murdered and dumped in Paull by Edward Akester, he found the hook and a tiny piece of fabric from her bra in Akester's bathroom, as well as a spot of her blood on his fireplace.

Akester was convicted of murder and jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 30 years in 2007.

• Elderly Joan Charlton was killed by her neighbour Robert Tozer. Mr Dickinson found tiny spots of her blood on the shattered glass of her back door, showing Tozer had walked through it. He admitted murder in 2009 and was jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 22 years.

• When antiques dealer Peter Battle's body was discovered in his home in Full Sutton, Mr Dickinson and his team found DNA evidence on Mr Battle's trousers which revealed the killer to be Graham Richardson. He was convicted of murder last year and jailed for life, to serve a minimum of 27 years.

• After the death of 13-month-old Alisia Salter, who was hit and stamped on by her mother's partner Oliver Longcake, he matched a mark on her forehead to the print of a television speaker in the bedroom. Longcake admitted murdering her in 2010 and was jailed for life.

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CSI East Yorkshire: Tony Dickinson hangs up his forensic suit after 48 years

A TOBACCO smuggler who illegally imported more than 220,000 cigarettes into Hull saw his business go up in smoke when he was jailed for two years. Botan Ali, 34, ignored eight previous warnings from customs officers about his activities before he was finally prosecuted after a raid on a container in the city.

Ali had rented the container at T&H Container Storage, in Leads Road, east Hull, paying £500 cash for six months. When it was searched by customs officers in November 2012, 223,000 cigarettes were found inside.

Most had been manufactured in East Europe and excise duty had not been paid – potentially depriving the Treasury of £49,000, Hull Crown Court heard.

Ali, who had given an address in Tara Court, west Hull, when renting the container, twice returned to the premises to ask about the cigarettes after they had been seized.

When Helen Martin, who worked at the company, explained that they had been seized by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, an unidentified man who accompanied Ali asked her: "Why didn't you call him?"

Ali was later interviewed by police and claimed the cigarettes were not his and belonged to a man called "Hassan" in Warrington.

Ali, an Iraqi Kurd who moved to the UK in 2002, claimed to have met Hassan at a Kurdish community centre in Warrington and agreed to transport some boxes and bags for him and give him a lift home.

He claimed to have then forgotten to give Hassan the lift and returned to Hull with the cargo, which he could see contained cigarettes, and decided to store them in the container.

Martin Sharpe, prosecuting, said: "HMRC make it clear they do not accept the explanation about how he has all those cigarettes.

"They fit a pattern with earlier seizures, they are just a larger number."

The court heard Ali, who listened to proceedings through an interpreter, had earlier received eight formal warnings following the seizure of illicit goods, including seven loads of tobacco.

He was not prosecuted because they were not considered a significant size.

The court heard the eight previous seizures, including one of alcohol, were worth about £27,800 in unpaid duty.

Mr Sharpe called Ali a "professional smuggler" and the court heard he ran mini-supermarkets across the North and the Midlands to act as a "front" for his cigarette smuggling.

Other seizures linked to him had been made in Leicester, Wakefield, Bradford, and Grantham.

He also ran a mini-supermarket in Boothferry Road, Goole, where 6,960 non-UK duty cigarettes were found concealed under the stairs.

Mr Sharpe said: "He seems to set up shops up and down the country and everywhere he sets up shops, he imports illicit cigarettes to sell at the shops.

Ali, who has since moved to Cardale Road, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to moving or concealing goods on which duty or restriction is due.

Richard Davies, for Ali, said since his move to Nottingham he had "changed his lifestyle and changed his attitude".

Jailing Ali for two years, Recorder Tahir Khan QC told him that during his police interview "you made certain admissions, but not to the full extent of the prosecution case against you, which is that you were instrumental in bringing those cigarettes into the country, and that this was really part of a pattern of behaviour on your part because of the eight previous seizures".

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Smuggler Botan Ali caught with 220,000 cigarettes, Hull court hears

A MOBILE breast screening unit has been launched in east Hull after figures reveal one in three women are failing to attend screening appointments.

It is hoped the unit will encourage more women in the east of the city to have checks, which can help detect early signs of breast cancer.

The unit is currently providing free routine breast screening at Woodford Leisure Centre in Holderness Road.

The unit will provide breast screening tests for women who are registered with selected east Hull GP practices until the end of November.

Helen Warren, superintendent radiographer with the Humberside Breast Screening Service, hopes the mobile unit will make it more convenient for women to attend their breast screening appointments.

She said: "Having spoken with many women from across the region, we are aware that one of the biggest factors affecting uptake of breast screening invitations is the location of the screening vans and how easy it is for women to get to them.

"Our local statistics show one in every four women under the care of a Hull or East Riding GP do not attend breast screening appointments when invited, and in east Hull specifically, this figure rises to one in three.

"Set in context, about one in eight women will develop breast cancer."

After a nine-month stint at Woodford, the unit will move on to provide women living in the Withernsea area with more convenient access to screening over the winter, and then on to Hedon from February.

Breast screening aims to save lives by finding abnormal changes in the breasts early – before they can be seen or felt through self-examination.

All women aged 50 to 70 are invited for screening every three years, along with a small percentage of women falling on either side this age range.

Over the next year, Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust's breast screening service hopes to screen up to 16,500 women in the unit across the communities of East Hull, Hedon, Withernsea and surrounding areas.

It is estimated the NHS Breast Screening Programme saves 1,400 lives every year.

Mrs Warren said: "Women can sometimes worry about breast screening, particularly if it's their first appointment – what will happen, whether it will hurt and what the screening might find, but the process is quite simple and straightforward.

"Catching any changes in the breast early means we are much more likely to be able to ensure a positive, long-term outcome for our patients."

All women who are eligible for screening will receive a letter of invitation automatically, and those registered with participating practices in east Hull will be invited to attend the mobile unit at Woodford Leisure Centre until November. Women over 70 can request an appointment by calling the screening office on 01482 622600, or filling in a self-referral form at their GPs.

Email breast.screening@hey.nhs.uk for any inquiries .

It has been keeping children off the streets for five years. Reporter Mark Williams finds out why a Bransholme youth club has been so successful.

WHAT started out as one trampoline in a man's back garden has transformed into Bransholme's most successful youth club.

Now, Friends of Furness Close is preparing to celebrate its fifth anniversary.

On peak days, more than 100 children descend on the North Bransholme site to bounce on trampolines, play a variety of sports and above all else, steer clear of antisocial behaviour.

The unique club is managed by local taxi driver Paddy Hewick.

His work has now been hailed by Hull City Council and Humberside Police as crime rates among the young have dropped significantly.

Mr Hewick, 48, said: "It started about five years ago when I just had an old trampoline in my garden for the grandchildren.

"A couple of other children on the estate had used it and there had been a lot of crime in the area. One day I just thought, 'there is a real hope for our kids here'."

Then one trampoline turned to two, which turned to three.

As word spread across the estate and more children began turning up, Hull City Council agreed to give Mr Hewick a strip of land close to his house.

Mr Hewick said: "Before I knew it, there were four big trampolines and the council had given me some land to host sports activities for the kids.

"We started playing cricket, football and rounders. The kids absolutely loved it.

"And it really has grown from there into something I never imagined it would. We now have committee meetings and it is talked about all over the city.

"I just wanted to get kids out of trouble, off the streets, and give them something to do.

"There were kids who were sliding down a slippery slope and they needed a social hub of activity – a place they could meet new friends, have fun and have something to look forward to.

"Often you get spates of antisocial behaviour in Bransholme, not because the kids are bad people, but because they have absolutely nothing to do.

"I am delighted to say Friends of Furness Close has given the kids something positive to do and trouble on the estate has eased as a result."

The group now organises camping trips during the summer and holds regular talks on healthy eating.

Youngsters aged from five to 19 use the facility, although children aged six and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Mr Hewick said: "We took some of the kids to Bridlington last summer and a few of them had never been outside of Hull. Another had never seen the sea or sand – it was a real eye opener for some of us.

"It was heartwarming because so many of the children were so happy.

"It is nice to make a difference."

In recent months, local councillors, police officers and Northpoint Shopping Centre have all supported the club's activities by donating money.

Mr Hewick said: "Thanks to the police, I managed to take a few of the kids down to Hull Prison for the day and show them what happens if they misbehave.

"Me and some of the other volunteers had identified the fact they had started to slide down that slippery slope.

"After their visit to the prison they have been no trouble since.

"If we can improve the behaviour of two in every seven or eight people then it is all worthwhile.

"It's not all down to me – there are lots of volunteers who, without their help, the activities for the children would not be here today."

The facility is open between April and October and often from 10.30am to 9pm.

For further details on the club, which is free of charge, call Paddy Hewick on 07597 840550.

'It's fun and it keeps me out of trouble!'

CHILDREN of all ages from across the Bransholme estate descend on Furness Close to make new friends and stay on the right side of the law.

Here is what they had to say about the club:

Shannon, 13, of Rishworth Close, said: "I have been able to meet loads of new friends and that is very important in life.

"It is fun and it keeps me out of trouble.

"There is always something different to do here for kids of all ages and running about a lot keeps me fit."

Declan, 14, of Redmire Close, said: "Before I came to Friends of Furness Close, I was always getting into trouble on the estate. But since then I have met new people, learned respect and not been in any bother. And the trampolines are great."

Lauren, ten, of Noddle Hill, said: "I just love playing on all of the trampolines – it is great fun.

"I also like playing the different sports that the organisers put on for all of us."

Ben, 14, of Greygarth Close, said: "If I didn't come here, I would probably be up to no good.

"It is a great opportunity to play football with lots of other people around my age.

"There is always the chance people can get in trouble but this club helps stop it. I get to meet new people all the time, it keeps me fit and it keeps me out of trouble. So it is great."

The Bransholme youth club reaching new heights –after starting off with one trampoline

CHELSEA's Eden Hazard has set the Premier League alight since his arrival in 2012, but could his younger brother be about to jump ship from the Blues to the Tigers? Hull City are believed to be one of the clubs who have enquired about taking Thorgan Hazard on loan from Jose Mourinho's side next season, according to Sportinastorm.com. Thorgan initially joined the Blues the same year as Eden, but he has not been able to work his way into the first-team picture at Stamford Bridge, failing to make a first-team appearance to date. The former Lens man has spent 18 months out on loan with Belgian outfit Zulte Waregem, netting 13 times and providing 19 assists this season, leading to a number of clubs in Germany, England and Spain showing an interest in taking him on loan next term. It is understood that the Tigers and Crystal Palace have enquired over the availability of the Belgium international, who is keen to taste life in the Premier League. The 21-year-old has suggested that he would be keen to fight for his place under Mourinho, but he will face stiff competition for places from the likes of Mohamed Salah, Willian, Oscar and his older brother. Hazard recently said: "At the end of the season, I'll return to Chelsea. Then we will discuss our options. But next season, I would like to play in the Premier League or Bundesliga."Lambert dubs Villa v City clash their 'cup final' After the Tigers' thrilling comeback at Fulham yesterday, Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert is already looking ahead to next Saturday's clash at Villa Park, dubbing it Villa's 'cup final'. With Steve Bruce's men looking forward to their own proper final in the FA Cup in a couple of weeks, Lambert's side suffered a 4-1 drubbing at Swansea, leaving Villa in 16th place, just four points above the drop zone having failed to win in any of their last six Premier League outings. "I don't know all the results but I heard one or two and that keeps you there above that line which is the most important thing. But next week's game is a must win game," he told Sky Sports just after his side's hammering. "Three very tough games we've got. The lads know how big the game is next week and they know it's a cup final."Curtis Davies lends a hand CurtisDavies

With 89 minutes on the clock yesterday City appeared to have Premier League survival within their grasp. Then a long ball looking for Darren Bent was hoisted into the area and up rose City's stalwart defender Curtis Davies. The result (see picture), said pundit Glen Hoddle, was a lucky escape for City. "Definitely a penalty," said Hoddle on Sky Sports. "It's hit his hand. "The appeal from Fulham wasn't ferocious enough. The team didn't react, even the fans behind the goal didn't react. If it had been Anfield or Old Trafford you would have had a huge reaction and referees can be swayed." Perhaps thankfully for City, Fulham fans seem to be more polite.Papers full of Fulham mishaps And finally, if you're still too lazy to get out of bed on this Sunday morning, here's a handy look over the Hull City headlines in today's national newspapers.Fulham throw it away - Sunday TimesFelix Punch drunk! - Sun on SundayFulham left with sinking feeling after Long leveller - The Independent on SundayThe Long Goodbye! - Sunday Mirror

Hull City paper talk, April 27: Eden Hazard's younger brother from Chelsea about to move to Tigers? Paul Lambert labels Aston Villa v City clash as 'cup final' and today's headlines after Fulham draw

Hundreds of Hull City fans are queuing round the KC Stadium today to snap up good seats for the FA Cup final. East stand season card holders who went to the FA Cup semi-final have a chance to buy their tickets today and tomorrow. Many queued overnight to ensure they got the perfect spot to watch the final against Arsenal at Wembley on May 17. West and South Stand season card holders who went to the semi-final have already had the chance to buy tickets. Jack Kennedy, 51, of Hessle, was delighted to get the tickets he wanted. He said: "I got here at 6am and had to queue for nearly five hours but it was worth it. "I have always wanted to go to an FA Cup final and to be able to watch your home team is incredible. "I am really looking forward to it." But others still have a long wait ahead. Julie Campling, 53, and Philip Sparks, 49, of west Hull, arrived at around 10.45am and were at the back of the queue halfway round the stadium. Ms Campling said: "It is going to be quite a long wait and we will be here for a long time. "We hoped to be back in time to watch the Liverpool v Chelsea game but that doesn't look likely. "But it will be worth it. We went to the semi-final and it was a brilliant day out and this will be even better." The ticket office at the KC Stadium opened at 8am this morning and is due to close at 5pm. There is another chance for East Stand season card holders who were at the semi-final to get tickets tomorrow. After that, tickets will go on sale for other season card holders on Tuesday and Wednesday. They will then be offered for sale to fans without season cards who went to the semi-final on Thursday and Friday. Any tickets left will then go on general sale from Tuesday, May 6.

Hull City fans queue round KC Stadium for FA Cup final tickets

A CONTROVERSIAL Labour Party fundraiser organised by Hull MP Karl Turner has been postponed. The £45-a-head dinner, billed as The Hull and Humber Economic Summit, was organised by Mr Turner and was to have involved Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls. But last week Hull East Labour MP Mr Turner was criticised for using the summit as a party fundraiser and misusing his parliamentary position to attract guests. East Riding conservative councillor Mike Whitehead led the criticism saying posters promoting the event made no reference to it being a Labour Party fundraiser. Mr Whitehead also queried why ticket sales have been organised using parliamentary email accounts, in breach of House of Commons rules. Mr Turner and his supporters had argued that it was obvious the summit was a Labour party event. However, Mr Turner has now decided to stave off further criticism by calling off the event. He says he has now postponed the summit and referred himself to the parliamentary standards commissioner. He told the Mail: "It has been postponed because I have had a serious allegation made against me. "As a result, I have decided to refer myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. "Given there is this allegation, that is the right thing to do." The event was due to be held at the Freedom Centre, in Preston Road. Advertised speakers lined up for the event included Mr Balls, former Hull East MP and Labour Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Hull City Council leader Councillor Steve Brady. Speaking to the Mail on Thursday Mr Turner admitted breaking the rules by sending out invitations to the event from parliamentary email accounts. Mr Turner said the use of parliamentary email accounts had been an oversight. He told the Mail it should not have happened, but that the cost to the taxpayer was 'pence rather than pounds'.

Hull MP Karl Turner postpones controversial Labour fundraiser after breach of House of Commons rules

HULL City were nudged even closer to guaranteed Premier League football next season after Sunderland beat Cardiff in a bottom of the table clash. Sunderland's 4-0 win at the Stadium of Light means Cardiff City, now bottom of the league in 20th place with two games left and 30 points, can no longer catch City who have 37 points. Fulham, in 19th place, with 31 points and two games left, are also no longer a threat after yesterday's 2-2 draw with City. Although they could still reach 37 points, they have a 33 goal disadvantage over the Tigers. Only Norwich, in 18th place with 32 points could now overhaul City but they would have to beat both Chelsea and Arsenal in their last two games, and see City lose at least two of their final games, to stand any chance. Results elsewhere in the bottom of the League would also have to go against City. league

A win or draw against Aston Villa next weekend will effectively seal City's survival as Norwich have a 23 goal deficit on the Tigers. If Norwich failed to beat Chelsea away City would be safe. However, if Norwich were to win, and City lost against Aston Villa – and lost their following game against Manchester United at Old Trafford a week on Tuesday - statistically they could still be waiting until the last game of the season at the KC against Everton on May 11 to have their Premier League status confirmed beyond any possible doubt.

Hull City move even closer to Premier League safety as Sunderland beat Cardiff - but Tigers not quite there yet