ALMOST 3,000 football fans have show their opposition to a rebranding of their club to Hull City Tigers. A poll of fans on this site attracted 3,671 votes in just a few hours following the Hull Daily Mail's exclusive story about the renaming of Hull City. Owners Assem and Ehab Allam say changing the name to Hull city Tigers - and Hull Tigers internationally- will widen its international appeal.
But the overwhelming majority of fans in our poll showed their opposition with 78 per cent in favour of keeping the Hull City AFC name that has stood with the club since 1904. In our poll people were asked whether they prefer Hull City AFC; Hull City Tigers or Hull Tigers – Assem Allam's preferred personal choice.The results were overwhelmingly against change, with 2,854 (77.7%) in favour of keeping Hull City AFC, 459 (12.5%) going for Hull City Tigers and 358 (9.8%) in favour of Hull Tigers.
Many fans accused the Allams of ignoring rich tradition for a poorly timed marketing strategy.
None more so than Mark Grantham. He got a Hull City AFC tattoo on his arm in June for his 40th birthday, as a treat from his wife, Claire.
"It wasn't more than a month or two ago that the club said the name wouldn't be changed," said the Hull City fan of more than 30 years.
"I just cannot see any logic with changing the name.
"I've always wanted a Hull City tattoo and decided to get one for my 40th birthday and to celebrate the fact Hull City are back in the Premier League again.
"The Allams have done brilliant things for the club, but here I feel they are taking away from the club.
"I will get a lot of people taking the mickey out of me about the tattoo."
In an exclusive interview with the Mail yesterday, chairman Assem Allam revealed they will refer to and market the club as "Hull City Tigers" locally and "Hull Tigers" nationally and internationally.
Vice-chairman Ehab Allam confirmed that, although "AFC" will remain on club shirts this season, it will be removed thereafter.
Mr Grantham is not on his own getting a tattoo to celebrate his favourite football club. Christoffer Beurling, 25, of Kristiansand in Norway, has a Hull City AFC tattoo on his heart.
"I have been supporting the team for 18 years now and have always used Hull City as the team name and the Tigers as the nickname," he said.
"I will never use Hull City Tigers as it sounds like an American team name. It just sounds horrible, amateurish even.
"I got the tattoo at the end of 2007. I thought about it for a long time and it's my club and I love it.
"A lack of communication with the fans is something I don't understand."
Student Liam Baker, 19, got a Hull City AFC tattoo on his leg last year for £80.
"I am furious," he said.
"I don't see the point in changing the club's name. They are trying to get into the Asian market, but Manchester City tried that and didn't have much luck even though they won the Premier League. It is 109 years of history blown away.
"I appreciate the owners coming in and saving the club but there is no need to change the name just because they don't like the name.
"The tattoo shows my support to the club and wherever I go the tattoo is always going to be there. I'm going to keep the tattoo. I will still know them as Hull City AFC."
Ehab has said any further amendments to the club badge will be consulted upon with fans.
Fan Phil Stebbens, of Beverley, said: "If it strengthens the brand why not.
"Locally we can all still call it 'city' as the names suggests or The 'Tigers' as many already do."
And Darren Deighton, from Hull, said: "I've supported Hull City all my life. We wouldn't have a club to change the name if it wasn't for Assem Allam.
"It doesn't bother me the name change, we are back in the Premiership! Thank you Mr Allam ."
But support was in the minority.
Jess Fenton, 26, of Brough, has been a Hull City season pass holder for ten years.
"I think it's really disappointing they have gone ahead and changed the name," she said.
"Hull is a city and the people of Hull are proud of that so I think trying to drop the 'city' is an insult to us.
"I understand and appreciate they have put a lot of money into the club and am thankful for that, but it now feels that has come at the cost of our traditions."
Ehab said previously AFC is "redundant", "not used by the club, the fans never mention AFC, nor do the media".
While stressing the club will use and actively look to promote the "Hull City" and "Hull City Tigers" brand, the Allams accept nobody outside of the organisation can be forced to follow suit, and say they expect many fans to continue calling the club "Hull City".
Eddie Lambrick, from the Midlands branch of the Hull City Official Supporters' Group, said: "The Allams are fantastic business people.
"They saved our club, but it belongs to the people of the city of Hull and always will do.
"How important do they think the supporters are to our great club?
"The interface between the club and the fans is rubbish.
"Being in, and staying in the Premier League improves the identity of not only the football club, but the city as a whole.
"If we maintain our presence in the best, and most watched league in the world, the club sells itself.
"We are Hull City AFC."
The Premier League last night confirmed the club would play as Hull City next season.
A spokesman said: "We have not been informed of a change in the name of the actual club, it is the company name that has changed. They will still be known as Hull City as far as the Premier League is concerned when results or fixtures are published. We understand the move is more to do with their international reputation.
"If any club wanted to change the club name we would talk to them and see what processes of consultation (with supporters) they had gone through."
