The Year of The Tiger, a blessing or a curse?
As the transfer window closed softly at 11pm on deadline day and the last day of January, a new month was about to be ushered in and the beginning of a new year in the Chinese Zodiac. Coincidentally, 2022 is the current embodiment of the Year of the Tiger. One of the twelve animals, the Tiger represents strength, exorcising evils and bravery. All three are qualities that those associated with Hull City will need to exhibit to deliver an annus mirabilis for The Tigers.
The previous incarnation of the Year of the Tiger was 2010, which coincidentally also featured a takeover that was greeted with a sense of relief as the Allam family rescued the club from financial oblivion. It was also remembered for the second season syndrome which engulfed City as their stumble continued and ultimately led to relegation from the Premier League.
Remarkably, even the preceding Year of the Tiger in 1998 bore witness to a takeover, one equally protracted and controversial with divisive owner David Lloyd sold the club with the black and amber contingent languishing at the foot of the Football League. What was to follow became the Great Escape.
The latest version of the Year of the Tiger falls amidst renewed optimism among the Tiger Nation. The month of January 2022 will go down as one of the more jubilant in recent Hull City AFC history. The much yearned-for takeover finally came to fruition as the evil of the Allam family’s recent reign in charge was exorcised. The bold decision to make changes in the dugout without unsettling the on-field momentum harnessed by consecutive wins over Premier League hopefuls has looked shrewd. Then, the transfer business done with the return of Regan Slater and four further incomings on deadline day would be considered a major boost. However, arguably the best piece of business was retaining the services of young homegrown starlet Keane Lewis-Potter whose long list of potential suitors continues to grow with every passing week. Keeping hold of KLP demonstrated the signal of intent from the new owner Acun Ilicali who kept to his promises of not selling his prized asset and recruiting a quartet of new additions, the majority being much sought-after offensive reinforcements following the departure of Josh Magennis earlier in the window.
Ilicali has stated numerous times that his “dream came true” through securing the custodianship of the club. His next dream would surely be overseeing and orchestrating a return to the Premier League. For now, however, consolidation in the second tier remains the immediate priority before thoughts can turn to climbing the league and daring to dream. Despite an air of caution, the statement from the incumbent chairman about aspiring to make a late dash for the play-offs this season is certainly brave and one that highlights a strength of character which he hopes the playing personnel can replicate to achieve the improbable outcome
City fans will wish that the takeover surrounding this Year of the Tiger brings with it a upward trajectory for all concerned.
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