With regards to the SMC contract being a 'watertight agreement', AP said last night that he'd paid an extra £30k on top of the rent in order to keep the south stand open this year. I don't think anyone on here knows the ins and outs of a private contract between two parties but maybe it isn't as watertight as we'd thought/hoped.

I asked specifically about the sale of Hull City and its effect on the SMC, and his answer was that all we could do as fans was support the club and get behind the club to enable the SMC to see why we need to keep all the stands open. He seemed genuinely concerned, which worries me. I haven't had a pass for a couple of years due to not living in the city, and therefore missed a number of games. Being away from it has reignited my passion for the club, and the thought and threat that one day that might not be there spurred me on to invest in a pass again.

The club is clearly trying. High profile signings, being the benchmark for the rest of super league by introducing a new age category to continue the development of our youngsters, and a real effort to get fans back on board. It seems like a catch 22 situation in that things can't improve without more finance from ticket sales, but ticket sales won't improve without an improvement on the field.

Its not my place to tell anyone where to spend their money, but I want to see Hull succeed, as I'm sure others do, and I'd really urge anyone who is in two minds to get on board and support our club.

Just my personal thoughts, but like I said, it's a difficult situation and I can completely empathise with those who have fallen out of love with the club. I just hope its temporary.

Brill post spot on mate

And therein lies our problem.
The disappointment of having Radford as our coach and our predominantly boring performances has driven fans away in their droves and driven such a wedge between the fanbase.
If only Pearson would acknowledge this.
I think a new coach a fresh sense of optimism would be like a breath of fresh air through the black and white side of the city and probably have an instantaneous boost to moral and pass sales instead of going into the new season with a coach a lot of people have become disillusioned with and have no faith in.

and another thread turns into a bashing Radford thread, cant we just have a anti Radford thread? look I don't think hes the right man but turning every thread into a anti Radford one is boring, we are stuck with him imo the good news we have improved from last season our signings are very very good so for me clean slate next year and I honestly believe we can improve again

Yeah lets have another coach we haven't had one for 2 years. Give it a rest and let him get on with it.

For me, I think Radford has developed as a coach this year and there are shoots of promise there for next year. He acknowledged our dour play earlier in the season, and nobody can argue that there has been a freedom given to the players from the mid-point of this year to play a bit more off the cuff. This, at times, hasn't worked, but I would say that is more down to individual errors on perhaps forcing something that wasn't on, defensive lapses at key times (Lineham, Sneyd) and probably some players that are not capable of this style of play (Yeaman). With our recruitment next year (and the development of a great crop of youngsters) has invigorated my interest in getting a season pass - and I will be buying soon. I also think the atmosphere within the stadium will be better next year. With the away fans being brough into the East stand corner, that means our fans will have to condense together and could create a much better noise to support the players and make matchdays a more enjoyable experience

I also think the situation with the Allams and the SMC is more precarious than we all imagine, hence I will be giving my financial support to the club - pass, merchandise etc.

Think your overreacting , no bodies really bashed Radford, I think for sometime now, most of the anti-Radford supporters have actually resigned themselves to the fact that hes not going anywhere. I think the post your referring to as Bashing Radford, is nothing as such, just an opinion and ones he entitled to. For me its just deja vu, same old same old, very happy with the signings for next year. Just think with Radford in charge, we'll be in same position this time next year. That's not bashing Radford, just an opinion. Id love nothing more than him to get the best out of whats looking like a very good squad next season.

Its not a Radford bashing at all, its a constructive solution to improve the financial future of the club.

Yes.. the signings are very good.. but... these players have been in clubs with very good structures.. (apart from Taylor at Salford)

I for one, would be more optimistic about our club's future,
IF Pearson brought in a proven Head Coach, then an experienced player.

As for Radford, he's a good defensive coach.-IMO

Except he isn't, 2012 we averaged 23 points against, 2013 it was 21 points against in the league. (Av 27 & 24 for)
The last two seasons under Radford we've conceded 22 points av (Av. 24 points for) and this year 21 points against over 23 games, incl the S8s we are conceding 24 against (with 20.5 & 19.5 av respectively for each period)

So there's no improvement in our defensive record but I guess that was down to our weak defensive right centre last season that the coach & certain fans scapegoated (only we conceded no more on av in the games he played!)
This season up to the S8s we were back where we were and obvs the Radford beleivers will say we've had injuries, playing kids etc as to why we've conceded a bucket load in the S8s (because we never had an injury crisis under any other coach right?)
We've also dropped dramatically in the points we've scored this season.
This isn't Radford bashing these are just pure facts, IMO he's not a particularly good defensive coach over and above previous coaches but he is a micturate poor one with regard to attack.

ok my point being why don't we have a Radford thread then everything about him whether good or bad can be discussed whereas at the moment mostly every thread turns into a discussion about Radford?

Not wanting to put a spanner in your fact finding mission, but Weaver didn't say Radford's defensive record was any better than our previous coach, just that he thought Radford was a good defensive coach, which I agree with - our defence is generally pretty good.

There are other parts of our game that are good too, making meters, field position and sheer effort for instance, other things that need improvement, and then some things which need a complete re-think (our attack in the oppositions 30m, which is abysmal).

If we get rid of Radford, we need to make sure we're bringing in a top coach so we're not back to square one all over again. The problem is that not many are available, and if they are, would they come?

I think the most realistic thing we can hope to happen is that an attack coach is brought into the club, as I can't see Radford getting sacked.

But it is relevant to this thread, as I imagine it's a major issue in many fans decision not to renew, which leads in to bigger questions about the clubs financial future that have been discussed. Radford remaining as coach isn't the only reason I'm not renewing, but it is top of the list.

Unfortunately, you're right. If you asked our fans if they were happy with Radford as coach, I doubt you'd get many saying yes. But, I think most people could put up with Radford if it wasn't for the previous 6/7 seasons before him and the damage that was already made before he even got the job.

I can understand why people might feel disillusioned and frustrated because of it all. All of us are, to varying degrees.

For me, the pro's of going to watch rugby outweigh the negatives, and I'm looking forward to seeing our new signings next year along with the development of our young lads we've seen these past couple of months. Watching Hull is a roller coaster, the tough times make you appreciate the good times, you take the rough with the smooth, either way I'm here as it's what I love.

Taking away your support is of course a personal choice. But, you post on here because Hull FC are more than just a hobby, you get upset because of a deep-rooted feeling you have for the club, it's more than just something that fills a gap in your diary. Taking away that financial support will ultimately hurt the club, and I guarantee whatever you spend your money on next year, it'll come nowhere near emulating the emotions that comes with supporting FC (good & bad

).

The club have made a ton of mistakes during Pearson's tenure, but nobody can deny they've put their money in their pockets for next season, and I'm willing to acknowledge that by doing my bit & backing them all over again.

All relevant views, as I've said before, I can completely understand where people are coming from on both sides of the argument. Its a real difficult situation.

With regards to the SMC, Humberside last night revealed they thought Paul Duffen was involved in a consortium looking to buy Hull City. Am I right in thinking that Pearson worked with Duffen before, or was he the one who originally sold the club to Duffen and Bartlet? Just thinking how it would affect relations with the new owners, should there be a new person in charge.

To be fair , I don't think a fall in pass sales will be to damaging for pearson. I'll still be going, but a wont be buying a pass, I think most season ticket holders who are not renewing will do the same. What will be damaging is if we start the season playing terrible rugby and losing the opening few games. Them people like myself without a pass, can simply then choose not to put themselves through it anymore. That's when Pearson will act I think

Of Course before we start the season we have to get through the closed season first.

He said last night there was 6,500 through the gate on Friday night, a long way short of the official attendance. I think you're right though. Pearson has effectively already got 3,000 extra ticket sales from those who bought passes and didn't turn up. This will change next year, unless people do buy the passes.

For me, the financial security of the club I support is important (not suggesting that it isn't for those who don't buy a pass), and I can help with that by buying a pass.

Does anyone on here know anyone who works at the club? Heard a rumour today that some staff have been offered voluntary redundancy and if not enough take it compulsory is the next step.

That can't be true. Plenty of posters on here claiming AP's ask of support is a "ruse" and witholding support "won't damage the club". Wake up.

Wouldn't surprise me if this happens every year, its a long of season. And its a good way of getting people out of contracts, and take people back on next year on zero hour contracts, I wouldn't worry to much or be scared by scare mongers like Mrs B

Cast aspersions all you like. My conscience is clear.

That finished for a lot of us several weeks ago.
Had it not been for the new format Radford would have really been under pressure. losing he last six out of seven and possibly seven out of eight if we lose to Catalan.

I was just making the point that as the next tranche of TV money doesn't come through until January and we have to get through paying wages etc during the closed season when there is no game income coming in then that's why season ticket sales are important to most clubs at this time. As for Mrs B and the 'doom and gloom merchants', if they are indeed that, well they may well be wide of the mark, only time will tell, but if they are I expect that our owner will be amongst the most surprised amongst us.

Its all so depressing and we should not be in the position we now find ourselves in. The previous administration did save the club and in many ways laid the foundations of what we are today, too much jam tomorrow was always going to catch up one day. I have been around too long to just walk away, its in the blood even though the club walked away from me once. I will be retaining my pass but of the seven of us that go four are either not getting a pass or thinking hard, Cats will settle things one way or another.

Maybe Radders will come good, he was promoted far too early and is paying for the learning he is doing and has done. We shall see, but this is going to end in merger anytime soon as the conditions are now nearly right for a successful bid to the RFL and the en battled RL fans within this city.

I expect a bad winter of troubles, lead by the Allams aided and abetted by the HDM and Humbersides wonderful sports team. Its time we stopped reading/listening to them and phoning them, they have an agenda and its so obvious. Humbersides future is in doubt with the way BBC finances are shaping up and HDM sales are so low I do not know how they continue.

I agree about the Allams and Humberside but the HDM are generally fairly FC friendly IMO; Smailes is Sports Editor and a big FC fan. I don't generally listen to RH anymore; 3 Rovers fans and a Leeds freelancer is hardly a balanced team. Rankin to Wakefield their latest classic.