CAMPAIGNERS have labelled Hull City's decision to make a formal application to change the name of the club to Hull Tigers as bad-timing and a broken promise. And they are warning tensions could escalate at Saturday's home game with Stoke City, which is being broadcast live on TV.
Having seen owner Assem Allam take a significant step forward in his name change proposal by officially informing the FA of his intentions, opposition to the move is continuing to grow.
It was only last month when Dr Allam spoke to the Mail to insist no decision would be made until 2014, whilst admitting he did not understand supporters' angst.
"Why the rush for a decision? Have I dumped City now? Why so much fuss? Should we not be enjoying the football?" Dr Allam had said at the time. "Talk about this when it comes along. It will be months and months before we decide but the media want to make a big thing of it. I have not removed City and will not for a good few months, so why the fuss?"
But with 109 years of history now firmly in the hands of the FA, fans campaigning against the change are angry at the sudden timing of the move.
Andy Dalton, a spokesperson for the City Till We Die campaign group told the Mail: "It was inevitable the club were going to ask the FA to change the name. It's extremely disappointing that Assem Allam has taken no notice to what supporters have said. He has blatantly ignored what the fans have put forward, and that is a real pity.
"It is unfortunate timing with the Tigers being shown on Sky TV again this weekend, and Steve Bruce has said he doesn't want to talk about it. Now, I don't think he has a choice. The fans have been very restrained up to now, but I expect the tensions to be raised on Saturday."
Dr Allam has previously claimed that owing to the fact the club do not own their KC Stadium ground, which Hull City Council do, he has to find other income streams and believes a 'Tigers' brand will be more marketable, having previously said he considers the word 'City' to be "lousy" and "common".
The company name was changed from Hull City AFC to Hull City Tigers back on March 7 and plans to change the name of the team are expected to be finalised early next year, although the FA would have to ratify any switch under Rule 3L which states it will use 'absolute discretion' in its decision.
A spokesman for Hull City said last night: "We won't be making any further comment on this at the moment."
In the wake of the announcement, the City Till We Die group released a statement reiterating its opposition to the plans. The group said: "The City Till We Die campaign group is disappointed to learn that Hull City AFC has formally written to the Football Association requesting to change the name of our club to Hull Tigers, as of the 2014-2015 season. "When City Till We Die met with Hull City AFC owner Dr Assem Allam on 1 November, he assured us that any name change would not occur for two to three years, and that it would not go ahead without supporter consultation, or without the benefits being proven by research. No such research or consultation has taken place. Commentators on the sport and experts in marketing alike have reacted to Dr Allam's name-change plans with widespread derision, while his intemperate remarks about Hull City supporters have been roundly condemned. "Single-mindedness is not the only way to win respect; listening to the counsel of others and being prepared to concede that you may have made a mistake can also be a sign of strength. Sadly, the events of recent weeks suggest that our owner may not appreciate this. This matter is now in the hands of the only people who have the right to make such a decision: the football authorities." The campaign group revealed it had supplied the FA with a timeline dossier on Allam's proposals and also met with representatives of the Premier League to voice concerns. The statement added: "The FA is an organisation with a rich and proud history; this year, it is celebrating its 150th anniversary. This Saturday, as part of those celebrations, numerous FA dignitaries will be at the KC Stadium to honour Hull-born Ebenezer Cobb Morley, one of the founding fathers of Association Football. "We remain confident that, with the eyes of the whole footballing world upon them, the FA will make the right decision, and act to protect not only the heritage and traditions of Hull City AFC, but also those of other clubs whose identities may come under threat in the future. This issue matters for all football supporters, not just the people of Hull, and the decision the FA makes will set a very important precedent. "We urge Hull City AFC supporters who wish to keep our historic name to continue the peaceful and dignified campaigning which has brought us messages of support from all around the world, to make their voices heard by the FA both this Saturday and over the coming weeks, and to sign our petition at citytillwedie.com/petition."Mobile users may prefer to fill in this basic version of the following poll.