Hull and East Yorkshire Sporting Heroes and Champions Awards 2009

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14th August 2009

Ian Farrow

Ian Farrow

Co-Editor of City Independent and Business Travel Consultant for First Hull Trains

BRING IT ON!

To miss quote Oscar Wilde, after the promotion party of 2008 Hull City were climbing out of the gutter and looking to the stars. Ironically, our first season in the world’s greatest domestic league had an interplanetary feel as we suddenly become English footballs version of Apollo 13. We fired on all cylinders - beating Arsenal and Tottenham and drawing with Chelsea and Liverpool at their manors before the festive Turkey bones had been binned. Then, we malfunctioned badly. After Christmas our hopes and ambitions crashed down to earth as a rickety version of the team we started out as and were lucky to survive with our Premier League lives.

But, survive we did and here we are back to fight another day. Bring on Chelsea and the rest. City are ready to prove the media pundits wrong once again. Phil Brown may not have made some of the signings he hoped to make this summer but that was what also happened last year. When some clubs are prepared to pay the likes of Darren Bent and Stewart Downing £150,000 a week it's best not to even try to compete.

Sensible, perma-tanned, City boss Phil Brown knows what he is looking for and realises his financial responsibilities. Despite media criticism Brown is our greatest ever manager and remains popular with the vast majority of true fans. We have faith. In Brown we trust.

Some media people forget that it was the ridiculed, end of season, karaoke king who given just five months in charge fashioned our miraculous survival in the Championship two years ago. The following year he made true our previously ineluctable dream of top flight football. He topped all that last season by ensuring very early in the campaign that we'd defy every man and his dog (probably called Lawro) by not 'doing a Derby'.

Obviously Brown made mistakes last season, though the half time team talk on the pitch at Eastlands wasn't one of them. A bit like Brian Clough reborn he ruffled a few feather because he wasn't afraid to tell it like was but was prepared by word and action to place himself out on a limb. Some people don't like him. Long may that continue.

Yet, Brown will have learned from last season about handing certain matters both on the field and off it. He will be a better manager and the Tigers will be a better team for that.

We all know that from Saturday at Stamford Bridge at 12:45 it's going to be a long, hard, season. It is disappointing to hear that captain Ian Ashbee is battling to save his career as he has typified Hull City as been a player thought not good enough for this league but showed everyone that belief is important.

It will be up to other players to step up to the plate. The key to this season will be how much certain other players like Kamil Zayatti, Bernard Mendy and Daniel Cousin who all have skill and all can be quality when the mood takes them, have gleaned from their first campaign in the English top division last season.

August 2008 to May 2009 last season should be seen as a learning curve. Importantly we have to learn that it is, if anything, more important to take points from fellow strugglers than the big four. We did well against all the top teams but threw away more matches than a reformed arsonist against the rest.

So, being honest the majority of the summer was frustrating. All supporters expected City to sign Fraiser Campbell but despite agreeing a fee with Manchester United he went to Sunderland. We then, not surprisingly, lost out in a two horse race with Manchester United to sign Michael Owen. There followed a number of other strikers including Bobby Zamora, Marlon Harewood and Marc-Antoine Fortune who have looked Brownie in the eye then spurned his advances.

Then, suddenly, a week before the start of the new season City made the first of the big name signings we had been promised. Names don't get any bigger than Seyi Olofinjana. Typically, he is doubtful to start the new season due to a 'slight' injury.

We have also acquired on a season loan United States teenage scoring sensation Jose Altidore, and we are in talks to bring in a Spanish striker who may or may not cost £10million. Then there's Cardiff City forward Ross McCormack who although valued at £3m by his club has told Cradiff City he doesn't want to play for them he wants to play for us.

City can expect more signings as we approach transfer deadline day and as no other clubs except Manchester City and to a certain extent Liverpool and Villa have made any notable signings we can now see our summer as a success. Even more so if we can keep Michael Turner away from the two scouse clubs grabbing clutches.

As I write we are also expected to sign inspirational Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt and if we can also get Jimmy Bullard fighting fit we should be ready to once again take on all comers.

If like Ian you live and breathe Hull City or support your club through thick and thin, or know someone else who does, why not enter the Supporter of the Year award category. Get your nominations in now and good luck!


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