“Chris, the case against Paul Duffen was strong.
Lets be clear on this. The action was brought because club funds had been used by Smith and Duffen to invest in Procure via Reef Securities. Duffen was also employed by Procure.
Duffen also had money paid by agents into Reef Securites. These "investments" may have found their way into Procure as well.
It is likely that Duffen received payment by way of a commission on any money invested, as his job was to bring investment into the Cancer Research company. So by using the clubs money and by giving contracts to players via their agents, he could have been earning a fair return.
His business Centipede Ventures (an investment tool attempting to profit from the tax breaks given to film industry investors) was wound up in 2008. So could it be that he and his mate Smith, needed something else to generate more income. Reef Securities is not in his control and he is using the services of an agency to get some media work.”

“Mel U. Unsubstantiated allegations mean nothing. They were in response to Duffens legal action to try and muddy the waters. Dont understand your reference to the FA. they have taken no interest. This was an employment dispute to avoid paying Duffen his severance the same way RB and AP tried to get out of paying Brownie. they would say it was just business. The lack of investment is the only problem we have although that not as exciting as far fetched conspiracy theories. It remains incredible that we experienced two years of Premier League football with no money and not surprising that we have to sell some players to pay the bills. where is the drama you crave? apart from AP and his perpetual grim reaper predictions are there any real signs of financial problems? Look at the constantly growing backroom staff. on the official website. Dont be fooled by the child AP crying wolf. The club is in good shape and his only objective is to look good having sorted out a mess that never existed. UTT.”

“Duffen gave an interview in the Prehaps you missed this, the FA certainly didn't!
In an interview with the Yorkshire Post PD was happy to be associated with Reef. The article said: 'Businessman Paul Duffen is investing [pounds sterling]250,000 in Pro-Cure Therapeutics with colleague Steven Smith through their investment company Reef Securities.' Duffen is then quoted, saying: 'I look at a lot of businesses as potential investment opportunities.' Hull issued legal proceedings against Duffen and Reef in the High Court on January 15 and Sportsmail obtained a copy of Claim form HC1OCOO129 after yesterday's preliminary hearing. At the hearing, orders for disclosure and charges over a property were agreed. The claim form reads: 'The claimants allege that in breach of his (Duffen's) employment contracts and fiduciary duties to them as agent and director, certain monies were paid by third party football agents to the second defendant (Reef), on the first defendant's behalf (Duffen), in return for which the first defendant (Duffen) procured that the contract with the agents for business.'”

“Lambrettaman that is just fantasist nonsense. if Duffen paid loads of money how come the club dont have any? The Daily Epress reported the legal action commenced by him so if you want to ignore the facts just keep your head in the sand. Maybe you should read the Guardian articles and RB only interview. Nothing supports AP's random conflicting claims.”

“Chris, Hull

There was no winding up petition against the club, there was no legal action at all taken by Duffen and there was a major cash settlement paid by him to avoid him having to appear in court to explain his actions(He's not in the clear yet though, he's still being investigated by other parties).

I realise these are facts that you won't accept, but they facts all the same, though you are more than welcome to continue ignoring them.”

“Now that Bo' has finally gone, it's interesting to see the difference in the articles on the websites of the two clubs involved. When you look, I hope you agree with me that the City website should have had something more like that on the Baggies website - something that REALLY recognises what the player has done for the Tigers. Maybe a more glowing tribute will appear shortly - maybe not.

Thanks Bo and good luck!”

“Labour has wrecked the UK and we are so happy with that. We have have bankrupted the country just like Duffen has done with Hull City. No, wait Hull City will recover in time INLIKE the country. Your all Doooomed, dont blame the ConLibs/ Labour left them wiv no choice. Cuts cuts cuts just like Hull City have to Sell sell sell. Fact of bad over spending. Get out of the UK now before its all to late. It nearly is already. Thank goodness i am back in scotland.

Come U Raith Rovers. up the jocks and to H+ll with the sass-a-nacks. lol”

“Lambrettaman you are fooling yourself if you believe for a second that Duffen paid back any money. The settlement was in response to his winding up petition against the club which will be proven when the accounts are published.. Where is the FA investigation Pearson promised? How come Pearson is still talking about £25 million of debt in the national press when Bartlett said it was £9 million in February? Not much of what AP says about finances makes any sense and if you think that is a steady hand then you are deluded. The only person who has been proven to take money out of the club is Bartlett. The morale and spirit of what was a succesful club under Duffen and Brown has been squeezed out under AP and you should look at his track record to see where this is leading.”

“I am totally confused by the debt issue. I must admit its been a very long day, but I have read the article a couple of times and I still cannot work it out.
By what stretch of the imagination, were we expected to reduce the clubs debt in 3 months?
We have avoided a CVA so far and administration now in my view is unlikely. Unlike a previous poster I do not believe that Hull City will be made an example of and this is my reasoning.
1/ The club have engaged auditors to examine the accounts and highlight issues. This is always seen as a positive step by HMRC.
2/ Payments have been made.
3/ HMRC know that forcing an asset poor business to be wound up, when there is a prospect of it trading out of debt is not the best option. As they only have the same rights as non footballing creditors.
4/ So what we owe a bank £12m, wasn't it due for repayment this week? Surely if it was a problem we would be in administration now? Or has the loan been extended.
5/ Often large creditors such as bank, consider that bringing in new executives is a very positive step towards recovery.

Adam Pearson will have had a difficult week and we are still solvent, so I have to thank him for that as well as giving him credit when credit is due.”

“Thanks Bo and good luck to you fella.”