Ours needs a review IMO; I read on Twitter that Martyn Sadler reckons we're difficult to deal with, or something like that, maybe someone can post the detail.

Our own media is pretty good IMO in terms of website quality and volume of stories. Hull FC live is a good offer and strong value for money. The tone of the articles is a bit OTT, but if you can't talk the club up on your own website, you can't do it anywhere. I regularly get info via email on news stories and merchandise offers.

The relationship with the HDM seems good; they fairly often get the exclusives. I like the fact they try to report on us positively, but some of the articles this season have been a bit nauseating in tone, Jacob Miller's "moment of ecstasy" getting his visa being an example. We also seem to have a reasonable relationship with the Yorkshire Post - Dave Craven has written some good articles on us this year.

We have absolutely no currency with Sky, but then again apart from Wigan, Leeds and Warrington, we're not alone. Not sure whether McRae's involvement has been a net positive or negative.

The Radio Humberside relationship has been fractured for years due to their continued negativity towards us dating back to the Rule era. Despite being a public service broadcaster, the inherent bias arising from the imbalance in their team, exacerbated by Lloyd's cosy relationship with Hudgell, means they'll continue to be happy to have Adam Walker on the Sports bulletin in the morning 2 days running but fail to even reference Ben Crooks getting one of the 3 top awards at the sport's most important award event. Feels like as long as the same people remain in place, there'll be no change. Peter Gentle's comment to Lloyd after the 36-6 win last year sums their attitude up.

At this crucial time in the pass sales window, it feels like we could be managing the media better. We do seem to be a bit weird and controlling about our own press - this isn't new, but seems to be a persistent theme. Anyone have a different view?

I'm sure one of your fellow bean counters can give some more info on the sadler comments

League Express this week

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What did he say?

Talking about Radders stepping up, being local all good, then says "and AP is at it, he needs to look at the way the club deal with the media. These days, Hull FC are desperately difficult to deal with and are generally unresponsive to media requests. It isnt surprising that attendances have been falling"

Very good and true from what i've been told, very difficuilt to get anything from them.

Maybe we need Rule back with his "tell us" phone line, oh, hes using it at Widnes already

I think you raise some valid points Mrs B, for me the worst thing is the way we are reporting it is getting stupid, being passionate is one thing but sensationalism is another. Maybe due to our fractured relationship with Humberside & Gollum the club are fearful & over protective but whatever the reasons we are getting it wrong

We should utilise our biggest asset right now, Radders is good at straight talking with no bullshiite or grand statements which is the way people from this city like it, maybe he could start to do a weekly column/diary in the HDM for starters. We have had several years now with grand statement/promises which have raised the expectations of many fans, our new hashtag should be #keepitreal

What has happened to James Clarke? Since the rumour of his demise it's all gone very quiet. Hope he's just on holiday. Don't know what he's like to deal with from a professional point of view, but I know I like the sense of humour he portrays at match days and to fans.

Do our talking in the pitch, bollox to useless 'journalists' like Gollum and his ilk!

I've seem some pretty illogical leaps in arguments in my time but how does Sadler get from being "difficult" and "unresponsive" to the media to "falling attendances"?



I agree that we could probably be better but its a two way street. I was all for a "batten down the hatches" approach before Wembley so the team could focus on the game, rather than which soundbite to give the HDM, but understand that there are commitments in respect of that. But I do agree with the Blunderside "boycott" in terms of the coverage and respect they give to us. The Crooks thing is a prime example. So maybe if the media started being a bit fairer in their coverage of the club as a whole, we might be less difficult to deal with.

I suspect Clarkey has gone from the club or has been told to knuckle down instead - his Twitter account has been silent since the Hudds game, and AP made some barbed comments at the end of year dinner too. Not sure who'll be handling the media stuff if so.

I also agree with Standee. Do it right on the field and the media will be wanting to talk so we can do it on our terms.

Agreed. Falling attendances nearly always come down to poor performances and/or money being tight, I've never heard of people not going to games because their club's media profile isn't strong enough.



Do tell.

The problem with negative press is one thing, but with a passionate (febrile) fan base like Hull (and Rovers) have, an overly positive spin has to be treated with caution too. Fans expectations can get raised too high all too easily and then the disappointment leads to disillusionment that is hard to counter or brake through media that has become somewhat discredited.
When Mrs B is using a term like 'nauseating' and Wilf gently mocks the presentation of Feka's capture in his diary, it is maybe time to rein it in a little.
Craven in the YP does seem to find a happy middle ground.

I've been told this isn't the case from someone who spoke to him directly when the rumour first surfaced. That's not to say he'll be here forever, mind - he has another career as a freelance and that might develop to the point where he leaves under his own steam.

Ah maybe the silence is just silence then. Hope he hasn't gone. I think he does a good job.

Carl - AP suggested, just before he made his speech at the dinner, that that night wasn't "the James Clark show" and looked, to me, a bit peeved that Clarkey had gone on a bit longer and made some wisecracks. Just a feeling I got. That, plus the rumour seems to = 5 though

Ah, right, cheers. Possibly had his knuckles rapped, then.

I think "victims of our own hipe " was said at the press conference , I'd like this to be reeled in and like Standee says , Do our talking not through the back pages but on the field .

According to the HDM Clarke was at the "Radford unveiling" press conference several days after he was rumoured to have left.

He was definately there as he was on the video of the press conference.

No problem with him per sa just the overboard write ups he does

Just on the Clarke subject I saw him talking to someone outside the club shop on Friday when I popped to renew my pass. So I guess he hasn't gone anywhere yet.
On the Radio Humberside bias, we all know its there. So I'd give them all the access they want, so they wont have any excuses why they do it. Give them enough rope as the old saying goes

On Clarky Watch he was at the KC on Monday afternoon. Tom Lineham was getting in Clarkys car maybe he has been demoted to 1st Team driver.

Working his notice period

Unlike MS3 .

You'd better tell him then because he has no idea that he's not there anymore.

Finger on the pulse this week aint ya!

Absolute B*llocks.....again!!!

Since he has been tapped up by your lot......... twice I would be careful what you wish for!

I have my sources