Looking like an outfit from the wardrobe of a Los Angeles pimp, Hull City and Matchwinner tried to bring some California style to East Yorkshire in 1992. Nicknamed the Tigers, this club tried to emulate their adopted animal, yet did not quite achieve the same frightening effect. In fact it inspired nothing but mockery. A similar shirt followed in 1994, but the idea was not too popular with the fans as Hull have never since played in tiger stripes. Aside from the striking look of the strip, this is particularly influential as it is one of the earlier examples of the commercialization of a football club by attempting to alter its image to appeal to a wider audience, similar to Birmingham City short-lived attempt under the Kumar Brothers. Although Hull have always been nicknamed the Tigers due to their colours, the actual adoption of a Tiger skin for a shirt was part of a lengthy plan to bring in further fans and sponsorship. This kind of practice is very common outside of the UK, particularly in places where football is not as established, such as the USA or Australia. However for it to occur here was quite a shock. Now however we have seen it creep in fully with the reinvention of Cardiff Citys Bluebirds to the Red Dragons to appeal to the Welsh in general, and again with Hull City as they attempted to officially rename themselves the Hull Tigers.
