HULL City fans have expressed their disappointment after the club's owners announced they would rebrand the club by dropping the "AFC" from its name and putting the emphasis on "Tigers".
In an exclusive interview with the Mail today, owners Assem and Ehab Allam said one of the reasons for the change was to give the club a stronger "brand identity" on the international stage as they prepare for life in the Premier League.
Peter Johnson, 54, from Tigerlink, said he was disappointed with how the club had handled the change of name.
"There really should have been more communication with the fans before this was announced," said Mr Johnson, a fan of 47 years.
"For a while now the club has denied a change of name.
"A lot of people are very upset with the decision and I think the club should have shown a bit more sensitivity.
"The progress the Allams have made with the club in fantastic – they saved us from possible liquidation.
"But when it comes to fundamental changes supporters need to be involved."
The Allams confirmed they had made a conscious decision to drop "AFC" – used since the club was established in 1904 – from all branding.
Instead, the club will be referred to and marketed as "Hull City Tigers" locally, and "Hull Tigers" nationally and internationally.
Amber Nectar's Andy Dalton, 31, said: "When someone told me about the name change I really hoped they were pulling my leg.
"In my opinion it is an act of immense folly.
"I have had supporters from other clubs getting in touch laughing at us. I have no defence.
"Is it really going to bring us more fans abroad?
"There has been a mixed reaction from fans I've spoken to, from sadness that this has been done to outrage. Fans aren't going to take this lying down."
Vice-chairman Ehab Allam confirmed that although "AFC" will remain on the club badge worn on team shirts this season, it will be removed thereafter.
He said any further amendments to the club badge would be subject to consultation with fans, but stressed the club's current identity change was being made for business reasons.
Bernard Noble, of City's Official Supporters Club, said he was disappointed but thought the change would make little difference to fans in the long-term.
"My personal opinion is I'm disappointed because I'm a bit of a traditionalist," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"But this guy saved us from liquidation and administration and it's his club.
"I will still say 'I'm going to watch City', 'I'm going to watch the Tigers', 'I'm going to watch Hull'. I will still say that and so will many other people."
But Rick Skelton, who is known to many City fans through his Hull City Live Twitter feed, said today "would go down as one of the saddest days" in the club's 109-year history.
He wrote in his blog: "It may only be a name to Mr Allam but to us, it's the name of something we love, we've cherished and will be cherished long after the current owners.
"The saddest part is that this has come at a time when fans should be excited for top flight football, not angry at a ridiculous rebrand. And the feeling towards the Allam family – who have done wonderful things for our Club and our City – should be one of fondness not fury."Hull City Tigers has been a top trend on Twitter - where reaction to the change has been largely negative - throughout the day.
Henry Winter, the Telegraph's highly-respected football correspondent, said: "Hull City's owners (have) done many good things, but (the) name change shows a lack of respect for fans. It's English, not American football."
Thousands of people have voted in a poll on the Mail's website, with a substantial majority so far saying they want to keep the name "Hull City AFC".
Joe Derbyshire, of Holderness Road, commented on the poll: "A football club is all about tradition and history. By messing around with the name it disrespects this history. Could you imagine any of the bigger clubs doing this?"
Gary McManus, a City fan living on the Isle of Man, was among the minority voting in favour of the name change. He said: "I personally like Hull City Tigers as it is a strong brand and provides balance on the traditional and modern ethos of the club. We have to accept tradition and sentiment have no place in a modern business environment, AFC is a defunct term. The name Hull Tigers worries me as this sounds scarily like a potential franchise. Hull City Tigers is a good compromise."
But Nigel Edwards, of Anlaby, said the move was "disgraceful".
Mr Edwards, a season ticket holder for 35 years, said: "I have never felt as strongly as I do over this. I have backed Mr Allam in everything he has wanted to do with the club but this decision shows that he cares nothing about the traditions and heritage. I will not now buy any club merchandise nor spend any money at the stadium."• The Mail awaits clarification to see if the Football Association has accepted the name change.• Do you have a Hull City AFC tattoo? Contact Danny Longhorn on (01482) 398110 or email d.longhorn@mailnewsmedia.co.uk
• 'We have dropped something of no value and no use': Assem Allam on why he would prefer club to be called 'Hull Tigers'
