We started the Senior Tigers season with our AGM in August and the launch of our Web site. The existing committee was re-elected for the coming season.
Two amendments was made to the constitution. Item 6 of the constitution makes provision for the committee to increase in size if required to allow further expansion of the Senior Tigers Club. Item 8 of the constitution states that whilst recognising other supporters groups the Senior Tigers Club will remain a stand alone social group.
Our Treasurer Barbara reported on the years accounts which was proposed and seconded and accepted by a unanimous show of hands.
It was agreed by a show of hands that the Senior Tigers would donate £500 to the fund that the Executive Club have set up specifically to assist in their endeavours to help some of the less fortunate Hull City juniors that are in the Academy.
Once again our football club provided a buffet lunch for our first meeting in September which was greatly appreciated by all our members. We also had the pleasure of ex player Dennis Booth as our speaker who kept us well entertained for the afternoon.
Our October meeting was sponsored by Acklam coaches of Beverley. We had the pleasure of the company of the Clubs Captain Michael Dawson for our guest speaker along with the Wembley play off trophy. Plenty of photos were taken by our members of the trophy and Michael.
Our first outing of the year was a trip to Flamingo Land, our thanks went to the club for their assistance in the cost and help, in making the trip a success.
November saw ex player Curtis Woodhouse give a open and frank response to his life as a professional footballer and professional boxer. We went on a day trip to Beamish. Everyone who went on the trip remarked that it took them back to their childhood and bygone days. The Senior Tigers had their first taste of walking football with 20 or so members taking part.
In December we enjoyed a three course meal for our annual Christmas lunch in the 1904 suite. To which we invited Ann Holland the fans liaison officer, Tom Rowell the new Commercial and Communications Manager and Head coach Mike Phelan. The lunch was attended by 136 members and guests as in other years a most enjoyable afternoon was had by all.
In January we learnt of the loss of 2 of our members Pamela Roberts the mother of Gareth the ex Captain of the Tigers she was also one of the founder members of the Senior Tigers. We also said goodbye to Graham Newdick. Graham was big in stature and in personality he was Hull City through and through and followed the Tigers home and away. We had the pleasure of Ryan France as our speaker who is one of the elite band of players to represent the same football club in each of the four divisions. Ryan was interviewed by Brendan Smurthwaite. Barbara organised a successful trip to the National Railway Museum at York which was well attended by our members.
February saw a couple of senior professionals leave the club Jake Livermore and Robert Snodgrass. We also signed a group of misfits which Marco Silva turned into a team. We welcomed John Hawley as our speaker who gave an insight into his time with the Tigers and his match day hospitality role for the club. Later in the month 45 of our members enjoyed a good day at the Black Sheep Brewery which included an excellent lunch and free drink from their well stocked bar.
March saw our walking football guys play in a tournament run by York City, apart from the freezing cold northerly wind and rain everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Later in the month Barbara took a group of 57 to the National Training Centre at St Georges then onto the National Arboretum this proved to be a fantastic day, the facilities at St Georges are world class and the staff at the centre made our members very welcome. The afternoon ended with a reflective and moving visit to the National Arboretum at Alrewas.
The guests for our Senior Tigers meeting was the football club head of medical services Rob Price and first team forward Will Keane. What a behind the scenes insight Rob gave us as to how the players are monitored and looked after, not only in their training but on their diet and match day assessment. Will Keane gave his account of life at Manchester United and the problems players encounter when faced with a long term injury. We asked for suggestions from members for features or activities that could benefit the group. Unfortunately non was forth coming. The menu for our May lunch was available.
April meeting was once again Sponsored by Acklam coaches of Beverley to which we extended our thanks for their generous support. We was informed that one of the founder members of the Senior Tigers Neville Powers passed away in March. We welcomed as our guest speaker the voice of the FA in the East Riding Adam Lowthorpe. Who delighted our members with his forthright answer to some difficult questions. We were made most welcome when we visited Liverpool FC Anfield ground. The quality of their new stand and boardroom certainly has the wow factor.
In May we held our end of season lunch which was attended by 133 of our members along with the following invited guests. Tom Rowell the clubs Marketing/Commercial and Ticketing Manager. Dean Windass the clubs Ambassador. Peter Smurthwaite Radio Humberside guest pundit and owner of Bridlington Town Football Club. Ollie Ezard and Quij (Cage) from Tigers Trust.
As far as the football club was concerned the season started as it finished very disappointingly. We said goodbye to our manager Steve Bruce the man who got us back to the Premiership. The pre-season was plagued with long and short term injuries. No movement in the transfer market. Mike Phelan was made care taker manager and with limited resources made a very good start to the season collecting 13 points from the first 7 games. Unfortunately the size of the squad caught up with the team and results started to decline, with just 7 points from the next 10 games.
December became a crucial month for the Manager with just 2 points from 6 games. Mike departed in January and Marco Silva and his crew took over, along with 7 new players, started to steady the ship and give us hope that some times miracles do happen with 29 points from 20 games. The task proved to great, with no points from the last 3 games and relegation to the Championship became a reality.
As chair of the Senior Tigers I have to say that the credit of this years success must go to my fellow committee members. Each and everyone has played a crucial part in making this past year a varied and interesting one. From secretary Allen keeping everyone updated with his emails and letters. Pat and John being the link between the Senior Tigers and the football club. Bill keeping the sound system functional. Rob in keeping our web site updated. Barbara for her time and energy in organising our excursions and looking after the Senior Tigers finances. Peter & Ernie who without their tremendous commitment our monthly raffle wouldn’t be as fantastic and successful as they are. To each and everyone of you and on behalf of our members a big thank you to you all.
