Hull City OSC: Getting the fans back

OSC Directors Kathryn Townsley and John Drinkall were invited to meet the new owner and chairman of Hull City Acun Ilicali, as well as vice-chairman Tan Kesler and interim CEO Jim Rodwell on Saturday ahead of the match against Preston North End. Representatives from the Senior Tigers and Supporters Trust were also in attendance. The new management team spared us around half an hour of their time.

Acun gave us a rundown of his life and how his dream to buy a football club had come into being. He also described some of his at this stage very raw ideas to give the Club a worldwide prominence, and reward and involve fans. His energy and desire was obvious.

He heard from us all about our respective roles, remits and histories – it was an introductory meeting, but very much wants to meet us again more formally in the coming weeks. No date has yet been fixed for this session.

Acun’s primary focus is how to best fill the stadium with fans and would like feedback from each group as to how best to go about making this happen.

We’ll be meeting later this week to agree how exactly the OSC as an organisation should best gather and collate that, and we’ve noted down feedback already received. We’re especially keen to hear from fans who don’t currently attend games, and from those who do, but perhaps others that used to accompany them no longer do.

We’ll keep you updated!

Kathryn Townsley – Hull City OSC Chairperson