Hull chairman Duffen steps down
October 29, 2009
Hull City chairman Paul Duffen has resigned from his position at the struggling Premier League club.
There had been growing speculation about Duffen’s future and that of manager Phil Brown.
The Tigers were forced to deny this week that Brown had been sacked following a run of poor results.
Former Hull chairman Adam Pearson has been linked with a return to the KC Stadium after he stood down as Derby chairman on Wednesday evening.
Duffen was part of a consortium that bought Hull from Pearson in June 2007 - and the club were promoted to the Premier League the following season.
Hull made an impressive start to the 2008/09 season but have struggled since the beginning of the year and, having just avoided relegation last term, lie 18th in the table.
A statement from the Tigers said: “The club has received a letter of resignation from Paul Duffen, executive chairman of Hull City AFC and Superstadium Management Company Ltd, which has been accepted and is effective immediately.
“The club wishes to express its gratitude to Paul for his outstanding contribution as chairman during a period of unprecedented success for Hull City AFC.”
Duffen made his own statement, which read: “When I succeeded Adam Pearson as chairman of Hull City Football Club in June 2007 I was very aware of the responsibility to build on his legacy.
“I articulated an intention to take the Tigers to the previously uncharted waters of the Premier League and, to the eternal credit of the players and coaching staff, that seemingly ridiculous ambition was achieved 11 months later thanks to a victorious debut appearance at Wembley in the play-off final.
“The start to our maiden top-flight campaign broke all previous records for a newly promoted side and ensured that 2008 will forever be remembered as the most remarkable year in Hull City’s history.
“Football is a results business and in the same way that I enjoyed the successes of the previous two seasons, so I must take ultimate responsibility for the disappointments of 2009.”
Hull say they have started the search for Duffen’s successor and their statement continued: “The recruitment process has commenced in respect of the appointment of a new executive chairman and a further statement in relation to this will be issued by the club on Monday 2 November.”
Brown is set to hold a news conference at 1230 GMT on Thursday where he is likely to face more questions about whether he will continue as manager.
He was booed by Hull fans during the draw with bottom club Portsmouth last weekend and his team face a key match at Burnley on Saturday.
Some bookmakers have stopped taking bets on him being the first Premier League manager to leave his job this season.
But, in another statement on Wednesday, Hull said: “Contrary to media speculation, the club can confirm Phil Brown has not been sacked.”
Accountants Deloitte also revealed this week that the club needed £23m “to meet current liabilities”.
If Hull were to be relegated, losing the £7m they get from their top-flight status would be a major blow.
The figures cover the year before Hull’s first Premier League campaign and the directors insist the financial situation has improved since then.
Source: bdnews24.com
Comments
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.