HUll City: Brown relaxed at training (videos)

If Brown’s relaxed demeanor was a front, then it was a convincing one as the under-fire manager brushed aside any suggestions about his future to come out in front of the press and a large gathering of City fans to portray a man every inch assured of his future at the football club.

Starting on time at 10.30am, Brown’s first task was to take his players to the far side of the training field, where no doubt the players were informed for the first time the news that had broken some 30 minutes earlier that chairman Paul Duffen had resigned from the club.

Leading his players to an empty corner of the training ground, Brown walked alone with just his thoughts for company and for the first and only time he gave the impression of a man with much on his mind.

With discussions over, the players were sent for their warm-up, as Brown headed back to join his coaching staff at the opposite end of the training ground. He would not make the 200 metre trip alone this time however, as Jimmy Bullard joined him for company, with the two seemingly discussion Bullard’s injury as the midfielder pointed to his shin.

Approaching a throng of City fans, some of which who had been waiting outside for over an hour in an effort to get any fresh information on the chairman and manager’s future, Brown and Bullard parted, with the midfielder sent for sprints while the manager took the brave step of meeting the fans.

Pleasantries exchanged, Brown stayed away from answering any real questions, stopping briefly to exclaim “it’s only a game of football” and to answer “I will do” when the supportive fans instructed him to “keep your pecker up Browny.”

Leaving to have a conversation with the club’s press officer Brendon Smurthwaite, and with his players warmed-up, Brown headed across to take training as he switched his focus from off the field issues to planning on how to beat Burnley on Saturday.