Tigers fans to celebrate successive promotions on 20th anniversary
CELEBRATION: The event poster
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
Hull City may have struggled this season but an event next month will recall happier days when the club won back-to-back promotions.
The Hull City Official Supporters’ Club (OSC) invites fans of all ages to the Kingston Suite at the MKM on Saturday, May 10, to celebrate the club winning successive promotions in the 2003/04 and 2004/05 seasons, a journey that would eventually lead them to the Premier League.
In attendance will be those who helped deliver it, including former chairman Adam Pearson, former manager Peter Taylor, Hall of Fame member Nick Barmby, club legend Andy Dawson, as well as Aaron Wilbraham, Jason Price and Stuart Green. The supporters’ club is promising more announcements closer to the event.
In 2003/04, the Tigers were promoted as runners-up from the basement division, four points off champions Doncaster. Remarkably, they did it again in 2004/05, finishing runners up in the newly-named League One, 12 points behind champions Luton. They were back in the big time.
City struggled to make an impact in the Championship over the next two seasons, finishing 18th and then 21st. But at the end of 2007/08 they were in dreamland, when after a third-placed finish they were promoted to the Premier League for the first time via the play-offs, beating Bristol City in the final with Dean Windass scoring one of the most famous – and lucrative – goals in the club’s history.
The OSC held a similar event last year to mark the first promotion, which went so well they are doing it again in honour of the second.
“Last year’s event was a really lovely evening, and players who played both the 2003/04 and the 2004/05 season are clamouring to return, with others who only played the latter season eager to join them,” OSC chair Kathryn Townsley said.
“We will update our social media pages with details of confirmed ex-players and staff who are returning for the night the nearer we get to the event date.”
The event is being held in the Kingston Suite from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £20 which includes street food (vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available) a souvenir ticket and an opportunity to obtain memorabilia only available on the night. Ex-Tiger John Hawley will be acting as auctioneer, with a replica shirt signed by the players present being the main lot.
Supporters’ club members get a 20 per cent discount. All tickets must be purchased individually. You can order via the OSC website here.