Our first members’ meeting of the new year saw a record 181 members attend, this included two new members who joined on the day.
The first guest speaker of the afternoon was Richard Dexter, the Head of Business & Operations at the Tigers Trust. Richard came to talk to our members about their Forever Tigers Project which celebrates the heritage and memorabilia of Hull City football club. The project’s objective is to improve the health and well-being of people in the local community and the wider East Riding having a total footprint of 250 sq. miles. They particularly work in the most deprived wards in Hull. The Tigers Trust is an independent charity linked to Hull City and the Forever Tigers Project, which has been going for nine months, is funded through the Premier League Fans Fund.
Through the project, the Tigers Trust delivers heritage sessions in care homes to spark interest and encourage conversation about Hull City. They also go to community groups to help reduce loneliness and isolation. He told us that 12.5% of the people in Hull class themselves as lonely. They even go to local primary schools and take old football shirts from different eras to spark interest and discussion. They work with those with special educational needs too.
The Tigers Trust Arena has a Heritage Hub that displays Hull City memorabilia. People are encouraged to visit the hub, where they can enjoy a hot drink. The items on display spark conversations and bring back memories for them.
Richard finished by saying they are looking for volunteers to visit care homes and share Hull City’s history.
Before our break, Allen asked everyone to gather in the foyer for a group photo. Before the meeting, he had asked everyone to come in their Hull City shirts, hats and scarves for the ‘Big Photo’ which will be included in our 25th Anniversary brochure. It was a sea of black and amber as we all gathered for the photo. One of our members had come in his tiger onesie which made us smile.
Following our refreshments Richard Beachell introduced Mike White our main guest speaker for the afternoon. Mike is the Sports Editor and a presenter on Radio Humberside whom he has been with since 2005. He is a Hull lad and has always supported Hull City. As a student, he was a matchday steward at Boothferry Park and he remembers one of our members who was in charge of the stewards at the time and who would tell Mike off for doing something wrong. This remark made us laugh.
Mike said when Burnsy was the Sports Editor he gave him a chance and had been a big influence on him. Mike went on to talk about his experiences commentating on Hull City football matches and undertaking interviews with managers and players. One of our members asked him how he remembers players’ names, Mike said he prepares between two and three hours before a game but doesn’t always get it right.
Mike finished by talking about how the Radio Humberside presenters are putting on a pantomime this month at various venues across the Humberside region. Radio Humberside regularly had an annual pantomime to raise funds for charity but due to the Covid pandemic, their last one was in 2020. The pantomime, Robinson Crusoe, is not a BBC one but is being put on by the presenters themselves to raise funds for charity. So, if you want a laugh go to see a performance.
Pat, on behalf of the Senior Tigers, thanked Mike for coming and said how he was a big part of the football club as those who cannot get to matches listen to the game on the radio.
Mike very kindly made the draw for the raffle which raised £353.90.
Shirley Cormack
Richard Dexter from the Tigers Trust The audience listening to Richard Dexter
Richard interviewing Mike White Vote of Thanks to Mike White from Pat
The Big Picture
