Well, another year has slipped by! That is, of course, what ‘Years’ will do. However, we Senior Tigers commit to ensuring they do not drift by as we idly look on! Senior Tigers are people of action – they demand it! Looking back over the last 12 months, and that is what I’m charged to do, shows an incredible activity story. We have meetings that attract around 150+ members every month, outings to places of interest that fill coach after coach, we play Walking Football and table Tennis, some members will Swim while others seek to solve the challenges of computers! A special mention goes to Pat Ellis for all her efforts to grow the Table Tennis activity. 16 members are now enjoying great exercise and social batter weekly at the Haltemprice Leisure Centre. During the year members look forward to a few excursions to away fixtures, thanks to the graft put in by Ernie Addy. Getting us seats which will not have standing fans in front is not a simple task. Well done to all our Senior Tigers for being part of such an active group, and special thanks to all the committee for making these things happen – along with the incredible support of a team of volunteers.
Our monthly meetings: Although we have incredible responses to our meetings we were, however, concerned that some members had stopped attending. Enquiries suggested that for some it was logistics, finding the journey to the stadium was becoming a challenge. Ernie came up with a suggestion that we might be able to provide a minibus pick-up service. Hessle Community Centre provided their minibus for a trial and the rest is history. Those who now enjoy the minibus service, supervised by Clive Beckett, are back enjoying the meetings. This service will certainly continue. It is, of course, the special guests who join us that make these afternoons so very special. We started with Les Motherby and his incredible collection of team shirts, and then we had Liam Rosenior, our club manager – never forget, his Nanna came from Hull! On the day Liam was delayed, but as we waited there was an opportunity to meet Marshall Waddington, one of the wonderful Showmen present for the annual Hull Fair and a very keen footballer! In November, we welcomed Luke Campbell, Olympic Gold Medallist (Boxing) and, of course, Hull-born. We were introduced to Justin Walker, Liam Rosenior’s number 2 at the club for our Christmas Luncheon. January brought us ‘Captain Marvel’ himself, Ian Ashbee. Next, we welcomed a duo of ex-Blades, Regan Slater & Billy Sharp. Regan was, of course, our reigning Player of the Season (22-23). As we waited for their arrival there came an opportunity to welcome a former player that took us back some 47 years, Rob McDonald, who later played for many years in Holland, where he continues to live. March will be remembered for being our Club Day, thanks to the kindness of the football club who granted us the full-day use of the Kingston Suite. We were introduced to John Hawley, who provided some free valuations of personal treasures, ‘Burnsie’ (David Burns), late of Radio Humberside and then another duo, this time defenders. We welcomed Alfie Jones & young Matty Jacob. April brought us Garreth Roberts, yet another Hull-born player and what a star. For the End of Season Luncheon, we were delighted to welcome the return of Tommy ‘Boom Boom’ Coyle, a story that had begun when he visited us the previous season. The season ended with the magnificent Heritage & Memorabilia Day at the beginning of June. With so much to look at we might have been forgiven for not inviting guests to be interviewed by Richard Beachell, our speaker host, but we did! There was a special interview with Adam Pearson about his time as Chairman of Hull City and the opening of the new stadium and alongside him yet another heritage star, Nick Barmby. That is just our speaker guests! Please remember that you can read the reports of all our meetings on the Website. Shirley Cormack, our brilliant Secretary, files a report each month.
Before leaving a review of our monthly meetings, may I praise the incredible work that Pete Wilson has continued to ensure we have such a fabulous Raffle. It doesn’t just come together on the day. It involves significant work behind the scenes and contributes massively to our ability to provide so many activities along with subsidies for our members. Thank you, also, to those who contribute to our meetings by selling raffle tickets, refreshment tickets and providing a warm welcome. You are all treasures.
Outings help to define us, we are more than just footie fans, we are people who have an insatiable appetite to see what is around us! We are, of course, totally indebted to our Barbara (Wilkinson) who is such an incredible organiser. What have we visited over the last season? We started with a Canal trip to see the Standedge Tunnel along with a visit to Slaithwaite. Next came a visit to the National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield with time in the city where many of us went to see the Cathedral. Another coach from Acklams took members to visit St James Park in Newcastle before we let the train take the strain, Hull Trains of course, and a day visit to London including a Thames trip and another stadium opportunity at the Emirates, home of the Arsenal. Coach, trains, soon it would be rockets into space! A memorable day at the National Space Museum in Leicester. In March we joined our dear friend Pete Smurthwaite at Bridlington Town AFC for their home fixture with Pontefract Collieries, how special to be up close and personal with local non-league football. In May we visited the National Tramway Museum in Crich along with time in the beautiful Derbyshire market town of Bakewell. How delighted I was to enjoy a real, authentic, Bakewell Pudding! Our outings closed with a little duo of visits, quite close together. With the D-Day 80th year Celebrations taking place we made the short trip to Hibaldstow where we were the first coach party at the recently opened North Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre. Four days later we enjoyed a lovely visit to Richard & Ellie Beachell’s farm near Driffield. Picnics were taken and were enjoyed in their beautiful garden. Even the Ice Cream called!
Sponsorships: I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of KCOM. They, along with Acklams Coaches, provide sponsorship towards our regular meetings. KCOM also provide us free matchday tickets for every home fixture, a free meeting room for our monthly Committee meetings and monthly sessions of computer technology support. A number of our members take this opportunity, some to just deal with a problem that was challenging them, others becoming regular attenders, learning many new skills: all this, thanks to KCOM. Acklams, as well as their generous sponsorship and good deals on our regular coach trips, have also offered all members a 5% discount on holidays. A mention also to Jupiter Web Solutions for their support for our Website and Digital Galleries.
Donations: Our collaboration with Tigers Trust continues. This last season saw the value of our work in other projects in providing material for the Dementia and Loneliness Project and the Memorabilia Hub launched by the Tigers Trust. Senior Tigers have given their support to the Boot Room initiative by donating 2 boot collection bins. This has also provided a volunteer opportunity for our members. During the year we also provided 4 televisions to the Teenage Cancer Trust. These are now located at Castle Hill Hospital and are being used by some of their young patients. Another donation was given to the Stepping Stones Project. Based in nearby Spring Bank West, they offer support to families who need that extra help.
The star moment of the past year has to be the Heritage & Memorabilia Day held in June. Our Website and its Galleries have provided the basis behind the special day, for that, we must thank Rob Wilson. Tony Conway and the significant team of volunteers pulled off an incredible occasion, almost certainly the largest-ever collection of Tigers’ Memorabilia. The event received great praise, and rightly so. Without the endless hours over the years spent behind the scenes by the Memorabilia Team, the Day would never have happened. The special team have long been working on the event, it didn’t just happen! Well done to the team and those who volunteered for stewarding duties on the day. Well done!
In closing, a glance forward to the new season. The committee were informed that the Sports Bar/Dugout would no longer be available to us. For the new season, it has been redesigned to provide a place for fans to gather before matches, providing food and drink, and with new and fixed furniture. Our meetings would no longer fit the space. Following discussions with the football club, we received an offer we could hardly have anticipated. They have been very generous in offering the use of the Kingston Suite for the new season.
Finally, our membership fees are now due and we have been able to hold them at £10 for another season.
Season 2023-24 gave plenty of excitement, we now look forward to this new season with hopes high!
Bless you all!
Allen Bagshawe (Chair)
July 2024
