Pearson Plea For Best Behaviour

Last updated : 14 July 2003 By Andy Beill

City take on local rivals Grimsby before Leeds and Middlesbrough visit the Kingston Communications Stadium, and Pearson has requested that supporters do the club proud.

He said: "From a PR point of view, it was a carefully considered decision before taking on the Middlesbrough and Leeds fixtures.

"There is obviously a potential for trouble. We had 21 people in court earlier this week relating to offences against Middlesbrough last season and I expect them to be dealt with harshly.

"But when there is so much good PR emanating from the new stadium - and people actually looking on Hull as a city with the potential for professional sporting success - it would be a great shame if this was to be undermined by any trouble at these games.
"I felt it was important that we didn't bow down to potential trouble by not arranging high profile games and ourselves and the police will be sitting down to plan for these two fixtures in particular.

"They are games everyone wants to play in and everyone wants to watch. Obviously, we're hoping for big crowds which will increase any financial return."

Newcastle will be the other visitors to Hull in pre-season, but there are question marks over whether or not they will send a full strength side as they take on Bayern Munich the following day at St. James Park.

City's pre-season campaign got off to a flying start last night with a 3-0 win over Harrogate. The next match will be at Bradford Park Avenue on Monday (kick-off at 7:45pm).