Q&A With Two Hull City Supporters

The last time The Imps hosted today’s opponents Hull City was on Saturday 28th February 2004, in front of a crowd of 7,069. The hosts won 2-0 that day, thanks to goals from Peter Gain (78′) and Paul Mayo (85′). Steve Tomlin was the man in the middle on that occasion.

Ahead of today’s match, we have done a Q&A with two Hull City supporters, so thank you to Ant and Graham for answering our questions! The answers have been published on two pages. To get to the second set of answers, press “Click here for the second set of answers!” at the bottom right of the page.

If you would like to get involved with the conversation on 100% Imps, you can join our Lincoln City v Hull City Match Thread! We have also published a Lincoln City v Hull City Quiz, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!

First up, the answers provided by Ant:

How long have you supported Hull City?

I’ve supported City for 21 years. First attending a game in 1999/2000 Season as a 5-year-old.

Where did you finish last season?

24th unfortunately.

What do you think of your manager?

Last season was a disaster. I aren’t a fan of his Plan A and no Plan B, but we’ve done far better than I expected us to this year. Still have slight reservations about his ability in the Championship, but he deserves another crack.

What were your hopes and expectations for the 2020/21 season?

I thought we’d be in another relegation scrap, just because of the toxic atmosphere and losing mentality possibly being carried over. Mid-table consolidation was my aim, so we’re far exceeding that so far.

One(s) to watch?

Keane Lewis-Potter, Mallik Wilks, George Honeyman, Greg Docherty and Josh Magennis. Our front 3 have nearly 50 goals between them, and Honeyman leads the charts for assists. Docherty is our box to box engine, with the ability to score from anywhere.

Which teams you think will finish in the top six in League One?

Hull (C), Peterborough (P), Sunderland, Blackpool (P), Charlton & Lincoln.

Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom four in League One?

Bristol Rovers, Swindon, Rochdale and Northampton.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

Possess some great attacking threat, and probably punching above their weight in terms of League Position this Season. Thought Lincoln were strangely negative in both games at the KCOM this Season. Hoping for a more open game.

What do you think the score will be?

2-1 to Hull City.

Random fact about your Club?

We were part of the first-ever Penalty shootout against Man United and therefore the first-ever Club to lose one.

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

Jorge Grant, as he is a spectacular mercurial talent and would push this side to another level of goal threat.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Hull City supporter?

The proudest moment is probably attending the FA Cup Final, or our first-ever Europa League game against Trencin.

Most embarrassing is definitely losing 8-0 to Wigan last Season.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

Josh Magennis. 17 goals now from the big striker, but doesn’t seem to be getting any recognition outside of our fanbase. Crucial to the way we play, and a handful for most defenders with his strength and aerial presence.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

We do, and they actively engage the owners trying to get an effective means of communication between the fans and the owners to resolve issues or propose any improvements to the Club for the fanbase.

Which was your favourite match involving Hull City?

The Play-Off Final against Bristol City, 2008. Dean Windass, a local hero scoring a peach of a volley to send us to the Premier League for the first time in our history.

Which was your least favourite match involving Hull City?

Any match against Burnley usually. We always tend to play poorly and lose 1-0 haha. But truthfully, the Wigan game last Season.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Hull City?

I aren’t sure, haven’t seen one so would guess not.

What is the best thing about Hull?

Hull is completely different to the rest of the Country. We’re a close-knit City with a strong resilience and traditional values. The City is proud of its history and celebrates that through its display of picture-Esque City centre locations and friendly populace.

Have a go at our Lincoln City v Hull City quiz below:

1 of 15

In which year did Hull reach the FA Cup Final?

1954 1974 1994 2014

START THE QUIZ!

If you would like to get involved with the conversation on 100% Imps, you can join our Lincoln City v Hull City Match Thread! We have also published a Lincoln City v Hull City Quiz, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!

And now for the answers provided by Graham:

How long have you supported Hull City?

I have only supported Hull City since 2013.

Where did you finish last season?

24th in the Championship.

What do you think of your manager?

Grant McCann faced an awful lot of (justified ) criticism for our spectacular collapse at the end of last season – on the 4th January 2020 we were 9th in the Championship, only 2 points off the play-offs.

However, credit is due to him for turning things around and it looks like we will be getting promoted this season – bouncing back at the first attempt is not easy.

What were your hopes and expectations for the 2020/21 season?

We are hoping for automatic promotion (and possibly our first Champions Trophy since 1965/66 ) – but we have a phrase ‘Typical City’ so you never know…

One(s) to watch?

Many of them, but if pushed I would have to single 20-year-old Kean Lewis-Potter, a local lad who has come through the Academy system and has scored 16 goals from 35 starts. We will do very well to hold on to him in the coming years.

Which teams you think will finish in the top six in League One?

I think that the top 2 are now sorted (barring a serious collapse) for the play-off places it is so tight – potentially anyone down to Doncaster in 13th have a chance – but I think the current 4 of Sunderland, you, Blackpool and Charlton will hold on.

Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom four in League One?

Until recently Wigan & AFC Wimbledon looked doomed, but again at this late stage I think Northampton, Rochdale, Swindon and Bristol Rovers will go.

What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?

A very strong team whose drop out of the automatic promotion places in recent months is a surprise to many. The potential return of Liam Bridcutt and Tom Hopper could not have come at a better time for you.

What do you think the score will be?

I think it will be a tight game, but Hull to edge it 2-1.

Random fact about your Club?

We were involved in the first-ever penalty shootout in England – and lost. We played Manchester United in the semi-final of the Watney Cup in 1970. George Best scored the winning spot-kick.

If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?

We are very strong in all positions, but I would take Jorge Grant as extra cover for our midfield.

What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Hull City supporter?

Proudest: FA Cup Final 2014 – being almost 3 goals up after 10 minutes against Arsenal.

Most Embarrassing: Losing 5-1 away to Stoke City just before lockdown in March 2020 – when we invented Social Distancing – the first time I have ever left a game before the end out of choice.

Who would you say is your most underrated player?

Regan Slater – got a lot of criticism early on in the season, but now seems to have found his perfect role as a holding midfield player.

Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?

We have a Supporters Trust with over 600 members (I am the Chairman). Our relationship with the club has been strained in the past, but both sides are working towards improving this.

Which was your favourite match involving Hull City?

FA Cup Final 17th May 2014 vs Arsenal.

Which was your least favourite match involving Hull City?

Championship 7th March 2020 vs Stoke City.

Do you have a Former Players Association at Hull City?

No.

What is the best thing about Hull?

The people – very friendly.

Have a go at our Lincoln City v Hull City quiz below:

1 of 15

In which year did Hull reach the FA Cup Final?

1954 1974 1994 2014

START THE QUIZ!