Hull Change Their Name To Hull City Tigers In Major Re-Brand

BBC News. It's a move that will see the Yorkshire club remove its AFC moniker it has had since it the side was formed back in 1904. The club who went up in 2nd place in last season's nPower Championship were branded as "irrelevant" by their owner who assumed control back in 2010. The decision to change their identity is similar to that which saw Cardiff City drop their blue home shirts in favour of red ones in 2012, and it may well cause a backlash among disgruntled Hull supporters, some of whom have already voiced their displeasure on internet forums. However, it is understood that Hull will keep their AFC reference on their club crest for the 2013/14 season but it will be phased out in time for the 2014/15 campaign. Justifying the move, Allam told the Hull Daily Mail: "My dislike for the word 'City' is because it is common. City is also associated with Leicester, Bristol, Manchester and many other clubs." He added: "I don't like being like everyone else. I want the club to be special." Allam's vision is to provide the football club with a better brand image on a regional, national and international level, while his intention is for Hull to be eventually known simply as Hull Tigers. He continued: ""In the commercial world, the shorter the name, the better. The more it can spread quickly." Hull's managing director Nick Thompson backed the decision urging fans "to judge it in the fullness of time." For now at least - with the Barclays Premier League season commencing in just over seven days time - Hull City must focus on their preparations as they travel to Chelsea next weekend, a game that marks their first back in the top flight since relegation in 2010. It remains to be seen how divided supporter opinion will be over this surprise move by the owners of the club to press ahead with a significant re-brand. On one hand it is difficult to see how the fans can protest this decision, on the other hand though it is an unprecedented move in changing the identity of the football club for the first time in its 109 year history. The owner concluded: "In Tigers we have a really strong brand." Hull City will likely be fighting a relegation battle this coming season, yet one of there biggest challenges may in fact be one off the pitch as fans must come to terms with their 'new look' Tigers.