Tigers fans: We believe we can win
NEVER-say-die Hull City supporters are backing the Tigers to beat Bolton Wanderers tomorrow in their nail-biting bid for Premier League survival.
One family, boasting three generations of lifelong Tigers fans, believe City can win at the Reebok Stadium, ahead of the final home game against title favourites Manchester United.
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Daniel Morris, 13, front, and, from left, Laura Morris, 16, Hilary Huitt, 72, Ray Huitt, 73, and Angela Morris, 41
A win or draw could be enough to secure Premier League survival for the Tigers if their relegation rivals fail to get any more points in the final two games.
The Morris family from Walkington -– Angela and Chris, together with children Laura, 16, and Daniel, 13 – will be travelling to Bolton for Saturday's vital match.
Angela's parents Ray and Hilary Huitt, who are also season ticket-holders, will be following the match live on the radio.
Angela, 41, who has followed the Tigers for 35 years, said: "I never thought we would get to the Premier League, but now we are here I would be really disappointed to get relegated.
"Obviously Bolton is a massive, massive game. I will be extremely nervous, but I feel we can do it.
"In some respects, it seems like fate we will be playing Phil Brown's old club Bolton and we must get the win there."
Angela, a director's secretary, said the must-win match has echoes of City's relegation escape in the Championship two years ago, when the Tigers won 1-0 to stay up in the penultimate game of the season.
She said: "I didn't expect to win at Cardiff, but we did it.
"Obviously there's more at stake on Saturday because we are fighting to stay in the Premier League, but I'm sure we can do it."
Angela's husband Chris, 47, a customer services manager, is also backing the Tigers to get the vital win. He said: "We have supported City forever and a day and we have been to places like Bournemouth and Torquay.
"I think people's expectations are sometimes a little high. Hull City have not got the finances of the big clubs and you have to remember it's their first season in the Premier League. It takes years to get established.
"But I definitely think they can get a result against anyone, they have proved that at Arsenal and Spurs. They just need a bit of luck on Saturday. We are looking forward to it. I think we can do it – you can't go there thinking you are going to get beaten."
The couple's daughter Laura said if the players believe in themselves they will get the win they deserve.
The Beverley High School student said: "I think the players can do it if they think they can, they just need to believe in themselves.
"If they went down I would be gutted for the team because they are good enough, but it would not be that big a deal because we can go back up again."
They will be watching the match with Angela's sister, Tigers fan Linda Draper, who lives on the outskirts of Bolton.
Angela's mum, Hilary Huitt, 72, of Kirk Ella, has been supporting the Tigers since 1948 through thick and thin, including the "great escape" season of 1998-99 when City avoided relegation from the Football League.
Mrs Huitt said: "I have seen a lot of bad years. I never thought I would see the day when we played in the Premier League.
"It would mean everything to stay up, but I won't be too disappointed if we go down because I think Phil Brown would take us back up again.
"We got into the Premier League earlier than intended in the club's three-year plan – it was amazing to get promoted in the first year of that plan.
"I feel sure we can get the result we need on Saturday."
City is relying on a complex set of results over the weekend and on Monday to ensure their Premier League survival.
A defeat for City on Saturday would see the Tigers looking nervously at Newcastle's result against Fulham on Saturday afternoon.
Should City lose and Newcastle win, the Toon will effectively be out of reach due to their far superior goal difference. All eyes would then be on Monday night's clash between Portsmouth and Sunderland, with all from Hull hoping for a Pompey victory.
A draw, or a Sunderland win in these circumstances, would leave City at least three points behind them also, but their poorer goal-difference would leave City needing to beat Manchester United by a massive scoreline on the final day.
Should City win at Bolton on Saturday and Newcastle lose, the Tigers would go into the final day against Manchester United needing just a draw to secure survival.
It will be a sell-out away end at Bolton, with 4,700 fans travelling to the match to roar on their heroes in a nail-baiting 90 minutes.
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by phil, east hull
Sunday, May 17 2009, 10:23PM
“Sorry John but i have had the 30 th booked for weeks now! Whether you think it's a lame excuse or not mate i dont care! I will be at wembley on the 30th and touring europe next season! may come and watch the tigers v Burnley or Preston next season! ha ha ha ha”
by John, HullCityFan
Sunday, May 17 2009, 2:55PM
“Phil east hull. If you have to work on the 30th (lame excuse), can i have your wembley ticket?”
by Diane, West Hull
Sunday, May 17 2009, 11:21AM
“Having read all this of what you are all saying I personally think you are all mad. Can you not write somehing decent instead of all this bickering. Lets all wish Hull City the best. All these horrible comments are disgusting. Are you all true sportmen and women or not. It doesnt matter who you support, say nice things please.”
by Mark, West Hull
Sunday, May 17 2009, 10:13AM
“Phil if indeed you are from liverpool then i applaud you as you are no different to myself in supporting your local team,its the people born and raised in hull who want city's demise who get my back up. Its probably the type who buy whoevers shirt is a tenner in soccer sports!!! By the way i too want the toffees to win at wembley as i believe it will be good for the game.”
by phil, east hull
Sunday, May 17 2009, 10:07AM
“So why didnt big dave true supporter or John silver cod old boy travel yesterday?? Sitting on here posting in the middle of a game???? Mark, West Hull. Can i just put the record straight, i am originally from liverpool and have lived here nearly 15 years now. I do support everton as they are my home team, i do keep an eye on city as i would like them to do well although i do not support them, how does this make me a glory hunter or so called scum??”
by Mark, West Hull
Sunday, May 17 2009, 9:43AM
“I'd just like to thank all the true City supporters for their support on this blog against the plastic scunny/leeds/everton and occasional bolton fans on here. Unlike you pathetic people i actually went to support my team at bolton yesterday and didnt sit at home spouting rubbish on this blog trying to defend your team that you've probably NEVER seen play! I'd say city fighting and gaining a massive point and getting out the relegation places is one up the exhaust pipe to you lot,ha ha ha ha and oh yes HA!!!!!!”
by phil, east hull
Sunday, May 17 2009, 9:41AM
“And can i just say lads that although i dont mind a bit of banter i take offence at being called scum because i do not support hull city ! Life goes on and will think of you all whilst sitting at wembley on the 30th !!!! COYB”
by phil, east hull
Sunday, May 17 2009, 9:31AM
“And by the way, i was in work yesterday!”
by phil, east hull
Sunday, May 17 2009, 9:28AM
“Everton Football Club are an English professional football club from the city of Liverpool. Having competed in the top division for a record 107 seasons, they have played more top-flight league games than any other English team and have won the League Championship nine times¿the fourth highest of any team.[1] The club competes in the Premier League, being ever-present since the league was founded in 1992.
Formed in 1878, Everton were founder members of The Football League in 1888 and won their first league championship three years later. Following five league titles and two FA Cups, Everton experienced a lull in the post-war period until a revival in the 1960s, winning two league championships and an FA Cup. The mid-1980s represented their most recent period of success, with two league victories, an FA Cup, and the 1985 European Cup Winners' Cup¿their first continental trophy. The club's most recent major trophy was the 1995 FA Cup.
The club have a large fanbase and regularly attracts high attendances, averaging over 36,000, 90% of stadium capacity.[2] Everton have a notable rivalry with neighbours Liverpool F.C. and matches between the two sides are known as the Merseyside Derby. Liverpool F.C. were formed in 1892 by a breakaway group consisting of Everton's former president and several players. The dispute also resulted in Everton leaving Anfield, their original home ground. They have been based at their current home ground, Goodison Park, since 1892. Plans to move to a new 55,000 seater stadium in Kirkby on the Liverpool city border have been delayed due to a public inquiry.
The club's home colours have traditionally been blue and white, and numerous well-known footballers have donned the Everton shirt: the most notable is Dixie Dean, who scored a record 60 league goals in the 1927¿28 season. Since 2000, the club has annually recognised successful former players, nominating an "Everton Giant" at the beginning of each season”
by george, anlaby
Sunday, May 17 2009, 9:20AM
“I think someone need to learn their history, The league was played throughout the country and was known as the football championship until the governing body was formed and the football league was born. Everton ( or St Domingo's as they were known then ) were the leading team and were actually the winners in 1891 and then for some years after. Everton were formed in 1878 so yes they technically have been top flight team for nearly 131 years!! Just to add i am a city fan but have a lot of interest in football history.”