A reminder for those who thought being a fan only involved moaning about unattainable transfer targets: Hull City play football, and did so for the first time in almost two months when the pre-season friendlies began last weekend. The seriousness of wins at North Ferriby and Winterton are put into context when George Boateng and Dean Marney both managed to score.
PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM
Phil Brown said he wants to see Sam Ricketts play like he did at Bolton last season and now has his wish: the full back today completed a £2million transfer to play for Bolton every week. Best of luck to him. Good bit of business by the club selling a player who could have gone for free in a year, providing a replacement joins. Otherwise, Bernard Mendy at right-back? Phil Brown does like a gamble...
TURNER PRISE
Michael Turner could be the next to go. Browny has once again said he'll sell for the right price. Hopefully that price isn't another season of Premier League football.
DUFFEN OUT
Paul Duffen has reportedly been headhunted to become Chief Executive at Liverpool. If he goes, surely he couldn't talk them out of European qualification as well.
LESSON LEARNT
After Marc-Antoine Fortuné spent days longer to say "no" than the 48 hours he said he'd take, City are shortening their deadlines. Browny said on Thursday he expected a decision from Bobby Zamora in just 24 hours. Read next week's Hull City Mad for the latest.
ROLLING BACK THE YEARS
It was like 1997 all over again when Duane Darby slid in to score a consolation for Hull City in the Masters tournament. After the 2-1 defeat to eventual Yorkshire champions Barnsley, City led twice against Leeds but drew 2-2. The ex-Tigers put on a good show, with Justin Whittle looking more capable of using a football than he ever did.
NEXT WEEK...
City concentrate on their strengths by selling players instead of signing them, and go into the Asia Trophy with Phil Brown at right-back and Paul Duffen in goal. The team ship in goals while the pair get distracted talking to the press mid-game.
"Hull City Mad" written by Andy Beill.Feedback, comments, ideas, suggestions for message board post inclusions, captions and anything else to:
andy@hullcityonline.com tom.collins@hullcityonline.com
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