Hull City: The FA Cup Final 5 years on

The “magic of the FA Cup” is something of a cliché these days. It’s almost as overblown as the “death of a once great competition” stuff we hear every year. It always has been a special tournament though and remains so despite the apathy of some unambitious clubs and fans. 

If you ever doubt that – get to a final. Feel your legs shake as you approach Wembley. Try to get through “Abide with me” without shedding a tear. Imagine the pride in seeing the players walk out in the sunshine (if it’s not 25 degrees in the shade it doesn’t count as a Cup Final Saturday) in your colours.

Five years on, I still can’t believe we did that. Hull City in the FA Cup Final. It’s not “Roy of the Rovers stuff” because frankly, despite the hostage crisis’, kidnappings and attempted murders, Roy of the Rovers isn’t that unrealistic. When I fell in love with the FA Cup as a kid in the 80s – Hull City being in an FA Cup Final was more unlikely than the Queen getting hammered on Champers pre-match, streaking across Wembley and nutting Vinny Jones.

We’d made the 6^th round in 1966 and lost to Chelsea and then lost to Stoke at the same stage in 1971. In 1989, we lost famously 3-2 in the 5^th Round to eventual winners Liverpool in a thriller at Boothferry Park after leading 2-1. Our record in the competition from that point was frankly embarrassing. I’m not sure it will ever get worse than the day we lost at home to Hednesford in 1998 in front of the Match of the Day cameras. Man is closer to travelling to the moon by car than we were to an FA Cup Final at that point.

The club turned around in the early 2000s under Adam Pearson’s ownership and was taken to new and unprecedented heights by Peter Taylor, Phil Brown and Steve Bruce. The story is beautifully told by fellow City fan Richard Gardham in his book The Decade which you can grab from Amazon or Waterstones in Hull. You all know the gist though, 3 promotions, Play-off final, Premier League, Relegation, another Promotion, more Premier League... Yet through all that, Cup glory remained elusive with another quarter final loss the “highlight” as we were cheated by those dirty Arsenal b******s at the Emirates on the night that little scumbag Cesc Fabregas spat at the great Brian Horton. Being there was not as much fun as it had been the previous October.

Then came 2014. The previous two seasons City had received “easy” home draws in Round 4 and contrived to lose to Crawley and Barnsley respectively. So, little was expected as Steve Bruce took a second string side to Middlesbrough (generally an unhappy hunting ground) in January. Aaron McLean and Nick Proschwitz scored and took us through to a meeting with Phil Brown’s Southend United at Roots Hall. That was a fantastic away day with two beautifully taken Matty Fryatt goals capping it off. Then came Brighton away on a Monday night on the telly. Yannick Sagbo’s late goal salvaged a replay and goals from Curtis Davies and Robert Koren saw them off, just, at home in the replay. That set up a meeting with Bruce’s former club Sunderland at the KC in front of a slightly disappointing crowd of just over 20k. City swept them aside 3-0 with a thumping Davies header, a fantastic goal by David Meyler and a third from Fryatt set-up by Mackem’s captain, leader, legend Lee Cattermole.

Making Wembley for a Cup semi-final broke new ground for City whose only other appearance at that stage had been way, way back in 1929. I watched the draw on the concourse at the stadium after the game along with plenty of others. Potential opponents where Arsenal (again), Manchester City or holders Wigan Athletic (now of the Championship) and League One side Sheffield United. When City drew the League One side people cheered, jumped and hugged. Opportunity was knocking. Going in 2-1 down at half time at Wembley in the semi, only my knees were knocking. How “Typical City” would losing to a lower division team be, and bloody Sheffield United at that, when presented with the greatest opportunity in our history?

Fortunately, Davies banged a few heads together in the dressing room, pinned a few players to the wall, threatened a few more with knee-capping or worse and City produced a masterful second half performance to win 5-3 sort of comfortably. Sagbo equalised Jose Baxter’s goal in the first half before Stefan Scougall gave them that half time lead. Fryatt poached another equaliser before Huddlestone scored a magnificent third, Stephen Quinn stuck one in against his old club and Meyler sealed it on the break in front of the City fans. Jamie Murphy’s late goal was mere consolation. Hull City were in an FA Cup Final.

I couldn’t believe it on the eve of the game and I still don’t really believe it now.

I watched the pre-match pleasantries in a daze. I’ve seen this play out on TV every year (bar the one on my wedding day) since I was 7 years old and being a part of it was surreal.

City lined up: McGregor. Chester, Bruce, Davies. Elmohamady, Livermore, Huddlestone, Meyler, Rosenior. Quinn. Fryatt.

Only Quinny’s inclusion surprised me. I’d barely digested it when City won a corner at the opposite end of Wembley. Quinn’s ball was met by Huddlestone on the edge of the box and James Chester turned it in. It was unbelievable. Just a feeling of euphoria I’ve never felt in football. As good as the Play-off final was, that win at Arsenal, winning at Spurs, beating Liverpool and Man Utd – as good as that all felt, that was next level. An out-of-body experience. Looking down on a scene of utter joy and disbelief.

Just when we thought life could never get any better than that, the post kept out Bruce’s header from Quinn’s cross and Curtis Davies tapped in the rebound. The resulting celebration left me exhausted. Genuinely struggling for breath in the Wembley heat. What on earth were we watching?

Shortly after Kieran Gibbs nodded Alex Bruce’s goal-bound header off the line. When I’ve watched the game back since, this is as far as I make it. We win 2-0 and go home with the trophy.

Sadly, you know the real story. Santi Cazorla buried a cheap free-kick in front of the City fans before half-time, Laurent Koscielny taped in from close range from a corner our players insisted never was and then in extra-time, Aaron Ramsey bagged a winner. Sone Aluko had a glorious chance to take it to penalties but found neither the empty net or a team-mate.

I went away devastated but incredibly proud. Not only had we reached a Cup Final but we gave Arsenal an almighty scare. We were exhausted in extra-time. Having to use subs early didn’t help. They brought on two pairs of fresh legs in extra-time in midfield. It was too much. I won’t say it doesn’t matter, that would be a massive, massive lie. I wanted to win more than any game I’ve been at. But losing didn’t take away from the achievement. It never will.

The club is unrecognisable five years on. The support that day was unbelievably good. Even though this played out amidst the fight to retain the club’s identity (remember the on pitch demo after the Sunderland win) the support throughout the whole run was brilliant. City has been a club of ups and downs its entire existence. The lowest point was the battle to remain in the league in 1998. The highest peak was May 17^th 2014.

The eyes of the world are on that game. Imagine tens of millions of people rubbing theirs and trying to fathom a score-line of Arsenal 0 Hull City 2.

I hate Kieran Gibbs.

Hull City - Player by Player 2018/19

Hull City - Player by Player 2018/19

 

David Marshall - All comps 44 starts (0 subs) – 0 Goals

Marshall enjoyed his first spell as undisputed number one at City since Mike Phelan left. After struggling to justify his place pre-Jakupovic and looking shaky in his rare appearances since, we finally saw the best of him. He’s an experienced and agile shot-stopper but not a keeper who leaves his goal-line very often. He was worth a point or three on many occasions and was probably player of the first half of the season.

Future? Marshall is out of contract and leaving. He’s the most expensive goalkeeper we’ve ever bought and has wages to match. George Long was brought in to take over next season – and to get Sheffield united promoted apparently.

George Long – 5 (1) – 0 Goals

The heir apparent stepped in towards the end of the season to get himself accustomed to the role that will surely be his next season. Long is tall, athletic and confident. He kicks well and has the confidence of the manager. He’s not yet conceded a goal he looked responsible for so it will be interesting to see how he responds when that comes.

Future? He’s next season’s number one. The interesting question will be whether the management bring in a keeper to challenge him or whether Will Mannion or Callum Burton are given the opportunity to do so.

Eric Lichaj – 36 (4) – 0 Goals

One of my favourites. Lichaj was the best signing we made last summer and considering how well some of the others did (eventually) that’s a fair old compliment. An experienced US international right back, he was a bargain at £400,000 and didn’t need a minute to bed in. He’s proven versatile enough to also play left-back and as one of three centre halves. He defended superbly all season and got forward well from full back. Sadly he didn’t manage to score and after that sitter he missed against Preston, I’m not sure he ever will!

Future? He’s under contract for at least another year and we should be thinking about extending that already. He’d be captain next season for me.

Todd Kane – 38 (3) – 3 Goals

Kane arrived on loan from Chelsea as a right-back, played his initial games wide in midfield and would also play left-back and centre midfield. His versatility was more of a curse than a blessing as he struggled to nail down any particular position but injuries meant he was often in the team somewhere. His defensive work isn’t great but the gets forward well and chipped in with some goals including two brilliant strikes at West Brom.

Future? Kane is out of contract at Chelsea and approaching his 26^th birthday early next season. He desperately needs to find a permanent home and play week in, week out. It doesn’t look like that will be here.

Stephen Kingsley – 25 (2) – 0 Goals

I find Kingsley one of the more frustrating players in the squad. His injury record is worrying although 25 starts is a huge improvement on just 10 last season. Mid-season after a run of games, we saw the best of Kingsley who looked a terrific outlet down the left wing and whose defensive play improved with games and sharpness. When he’s in and out of the side with niggles, he looks sluggish and makes mistakes. Season highlight was his delightful run and cross for Irvine to open the scoring at Preston.

Future? Kingsley’s contract runs until next summer with the club holding a 1 year option. His injury record makes running with him at first choice a big risk but with such a huge turnover of players expected, it’s hard to see the club adding a left-back.

Brandon Fleming – 3 (3) – 0 Goals

It’s not quite been a breakthrough season for Fleming but an interesting introduction for him. Yet another home-grown left-back, he’s still only 19 and has plenty of time on his side. He’s quick, covers the ground well and can deliver a ball into the box. On the negative side, he’s small and susceptible to a big diagonal as we saw at Millwall in the Cup.

Future? He’s well tied up, contractually, until at least 2021. If the club run with just Kingsley ahead of him, opportunities are going to be plentiful next season. He won’t let anyone down and will improve further with games.

Reece Burke – 33 (2) – 0 Goals

When he came in from West Ham for (apparently) £500k up front, Burke looked a shrewd signing and despite some teething problems – that’s proven to be the case. He’s tall an athletic, eats up the ground and has improved the air. Although he looked a bit lightweight at first, he grew into the physical battles and barely put a foot wrong in months. He even had a go at playing right-back after Elphick came in and gave it everything despite looking a bit uncomfortable. Highlight was his terrific performance in the win over West Brom in November.

Future? We might get away with it because we go under the radar and our defensive record is poor overall but I’d be worried otherwise that someone would sniff around Burke. For his age and experience, he looks more assured than someone like Michael Turner did. Will be a pbig player next season.

Jordy De Wijs – 30 (2) – 1 Goal

Probably the hardest player to judge in the squad. For five or six games, he looked a calamitous signing. Adkins stood by him after some dreadful errors though and he started to show what he had. He’s outstanding in the air and has a decent left foot – though like Michael Dawson, it’s not as good as someone’s told him it is – and an incredible attitude. I still chuckle at Louis Moult throwing an elbow at him, bouncing off and hitting the floor. Despite being hard as nails, he’s prone to injuries which alongside the odd catastrophic error is his biggest downside. Delighted that he finally got off the mark with a thumping late header to beat Wigan.

Future? He and Burke look far better equipped to be a first choice defensive pairing next season. They compliment each other but the big worry is that they don’t play enough games so cover/competition is needed.

Robbie McKenzie – 13 (8) – 0 Goals

McKenzie is another proper local lad in the first team which everyone should take pride in. He’s played almost exclusively at centre half in the Championship which takes some doing and he’s done a terrific job. He’s young, not fully developed physically and naïve off the ball at times but he’ll only improve with games. Even more impressive is that his games for City’s youth sides have often come in midfield (where he played originally) and at right-back (of late) as well as centre-half so the position is one he’s still learning and doing so, well, at a high level.

Future? A great asset for the squad in the short-term, he could easily be a future, local, captain.

The Rest of the defence: Tommy Elphick (18 (0) – 1 Goal) was a great short-term signing for the first half of the season who sadly we can’t even dream of having back. Ondrej Mazuch (4 (3) – 0 Goals) has had a nightmare with injuries which is a shame because he looks good at times. He’ll be released this summer. Angus MacDonald (3 (0) – 0 Goals) has had awful look with illness and injury but has another year here. He’s never impressed to the level of Burke and De Wijs though. Liam Ridgewell (4 (3) – 0 Goals) has looked a pointless signing on the face of it but it’s hard to judge his influence in “the building” without being part of the squad. Another who will probably be released.

Markus Henriksen – 39 (0) – 2 Goals

This year’s skipper is often-maligned by some in the crowd – the current “boo boys favourite” if you prefer. We’re a poorer team without him, that’s clear to see. He’s not a defensive midfielder but he’s been employed there for most of the season and his guile has been important. He’s also found another level of aggression and stepped up as the leader of the group. He was as important as anyone in turning the season around and pushing for a play-off place. Off the field, he’s a very classy guy who’ll be a huge loss.

Future? Looks to be heading to France after missing out on a move in January. I’m not convinced we saw the best of him, certainly as an attacking player, but we’ll miss him.

Dan Batty – 24 (5) – 0 Goals

Batty’s a terrific young player who had much more involvement this year after making his debut at Brentford on the last day of last season. He’s tenacious and hard-working and has a tremendous range of passing. There were times when he looked knackered and Adkins took him out of the side wisely. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury and was a loss for the second half of the campaign. He’s another who will keep improving with confidence and fitness. There is more to come from him around the box too.

Future? He has another year on his contract which needs sorting this summer. He’s going to make waves next season as the big names move on and City need to protect a prized asset.

Jackson Irvine – 37 (2) – 6 Goals

A crucial player who we missed mid-season when he went to the Asian Cup. That couldn’t have come at a worse time after his form in December. He’s been used all over the midfield because he’s so valued that the manager will try to ensure he’s in the team, wherever that is. I prefer him playing in front of the midfield as he’s a goal threat and not a particularly good defensive midfielder but he’s so versatile that he dropped in when there where options like Evandro and Pugh, played wide before Grosicki came good and pushed on when others weren’t available. Was outstanding at Preston on Boxing Day.

Future? He’s another who is in with a good shout of being the next captain and another who might just attract a little interest. City have no need to sell but that’s never stopped us. Crucial, crucial, crucial.

Kevin Stewart – 19 (11) – 0 Goals

Stewart had a baffling season. After being a joke for the first year and a bit of his City career, he came good from November onwards and was an important player during the winning run in December. His City career turned around in 8 odd days in November when he was very poor against Crewe’s U23s one week and then superb against championship leaders Norwich the next and never looked back. Oddly fell out of favour after being the scapegoat for the Derby defeat and never really got back in.

Future? He looks important given Henriksen’s impending departure and his inclusion in the last couple of games of the season reflects that. Needs to produce week in, wee out what he showed last winter.

Kamil Grosicki – 35 (5) – 9 Goals

Ah, the enigma. Kamil had another summer where a transfer away from City was a case of when not if. Eventually a loan move to Turkey fell apart and he stayed but it wasn’t Wigan away in September that he played a part in a league game. He came into a faltering side in a tough run of fixtures and took a while to get up to speed but once he did, he and Jarrod Bowen started to blow away opposition defences. In the home win against West Brom in November, he was a one-man highlight reel and he continued that form throughout December and January. He makes a lot of goals but should score far more too. Nine isn’t a bad return but he only scored in six games (He got three braces) and that’s not indicative of the chances he created.

Future? He’s surely going this summer after four transfer windows of doubt and with the budget set to be cut in half. He earns a fortune for this level and we can’t afford to pay it. I’m glad he’s going out on a bit of a high because he’s always been a talent but was maligned for his attitude. He’s been a big part of the team this season and Adkins has managed him superbly.

Jarrod Bowen – 45 (1) – 22 Goals

This is the point I cry. I’ve watched Bowen playing for our young teams since he arrived from Hereford at 17 and watched him develop into a tremendous winger who scores goals for fun. He should have been around the first team long before he broke in at the end of Marco Silva’s reign and it seems crazy now that Greg Luer and Brian Lenihan got chances under Steve Bruce but Jarrod didn’t. He had an outstanding season last year and with the team struggling for the first 14 games and him chipping in only 4 goals, there was some suggestion that he wasn’t all that. Adkins left him out of the starting line-up at Sheffield United, the only thing stopping him being ever-present in the league, but quickly restored him. He worked hard even when things weren’t happening for him in front of goal but there was a lot of disruption as we tried to settle on a line-up and that didn’t help. Like others, his form since late October has been exceptional and if there was any question that he’s the real deal, that ended when he destroyed Leeds United, then top of the league, on their own patch.

Future? He’s going and for big, big money. It’s distressing to see us forced to sell a player we’ve identified and nurtured but he’s outgrown our ambition at this point.

Evandro – 14 (9) – 3 Goals

While he’s been at City, Evandro has had the same three seasons. Obviously competent. Flashes of brilliance. Mostly injured. This has clearly been his best and half his City league appearances have come this season. We have some highlights now, that strange volley at home to Villa that temporarily levelled, the comeback he sparked at home to Swansea, the destruction of Bolton and that fabulous volley at Villa that was one of the goals of the season.

Future? He’s also on his way. He’s old, expensive and injury prone. Brilliant though. So a shame we’ve never seen it regularly.

The Rest of the midfield: David Milinkovic (1 (10) – 0 Goals) was an interesting signing but neither his attitude nor ability warmed him to Adkins and he was very quickly dumped. Resurgence was fleeting. Marc Pugh (10 (4) – 3 Goals) was an excellent loan signing who took a little while to find a starting place but chipped in with some important, and excellent, goals. I don’t expect him to be back but he is available on a free. Jon Toral (1 (10) – 2 Goals) has had a season ruined by injury. Another who looks good in flashes but nowhere near enough. He’s a Poundland Evandro at this point. Max Sheaf (0 (3) – 0 Goals) is a tall, tidy all-action midfielder who has just been given a taste of things this season. We’ll see more of him next year.

Fraizer Campbell – 31 (8) – 12 Goals

We waited ten years to see Fraizer in black and amber again but despite a few goals, it just wasn’t the same last season. He never looked fit and was in and out. It would have been gutting for that to be the lasting memory of him at City. This season has put paid to that with him back to his vibrant best, harassing defenders, leading the line and playing with a smile on his face. His goals have been those of an experienced poacher for the most part, sniffing chances and punishing errors but his volley at home to Sheffield Wednesday was a beauty. His link up play has been outstanding, particularly his through balls for our brilliant wingers.

Future? It’s crazy after the season he’s had but I think this is the end. He came in after relegation on a good wage and the club not taking up his extra year option was telling. It’s such a shame because he’s back to his best, clever, experienced and a wonderful influence.

Chris Martin – 16 (15) – 2 Goals

Martin was a deadline day loan signing from Derby who has had rough couple of years. That told in his demeanour with his general lack of confidence shining through. He wasn’t bad though and proved an effective foil for the wide players. Some of his link up play was nice but he’s not particularly a big target-man and has lost a yard of pace. There were times when he played instead of Campbell and it was indefensible. His season was probably summed up by finally scoring his first goal in the rout of Bolton and then smashing against the bar with the goal gaping minutes later.

Future? Returns to Derby and we never see him again I suspect.

The Rest of the attack: Nouha Dicko (4 (15) - 2 Goals) has spent a couple of months out in the cold with Adkins preferring others to him even on the bench. At present, he's the only senior striker likely to be a City player next season. Will Keane (3 (7) – 0 Goals) started one league game this season which was the impressive win at Leeds. I’m still not sure why and he disappeared out on loan to Ipswich days later. He scored three times for Ipswich which is three times more than he scored for City. His contract is up and he’s surely done too. Keane Lewis-Potter (0 (1) – 0 Goals) made his first appearance as a sub at Millwall in the cup. He’s a cracking little striker who was rewarded for his hard work and goals in the U18s and U23s with a first team appearance. He’s only just turned 18 and while he has pace, he’s small and needs to develop. He’s one for the future without doubt.

Hull City: The last good times?

The last fifteen years have been the best in Hull City’s history despite battles off the pitch between fans and our horrible owners of late. 

The resurgence kickstarted by Adam Pearson and Peter Taylor (soon to be immortalised in Richard Gardham’s book The Decade) taken to the next level, somewhat dubiously, by Paul Duffen and Phil Brown and then topped by The Allam Family thanks to Steve Bruce has seen the club reach levels we could only dream of as we stared relegation from the football league in the face 20 years ago. 

Promotion from Division 3 (now League Two) in 2004, going straight through League One in 2005, Play-off final wins at Wembley in 2008 and 2016, automatic promotion to the Premier League in 2013, playing in the FA Cup Final in 2014, a cup of coffee in the Europa league later that year. You all know the story. From oblivion in 2001 to facing Arsenal with the eyes of the world on us in 2014. A fairy story. A dream.

Well wake up, sunshine. It’s almost over. Unless Nigel Adkins and his players can pull off a miracle in the last 7 games of the season and make (and win) the play-offs, the future for City looks gloomy. It has been coming. Gates have dropped alarmingly since the abandoning of concessions and closure of the West Upper Stand at the KCOM Stadium and at a faster pace with every drop of enjoyment and ambition being squeezed out of the club. That Nigel Adkins somehow has the team competing in the top half of the Championship is miraculous but in no small part due to the few players still left from the Premier League days.

Those players, particularly Kamil Grosicki, Jarrod Bowen, Markus Henriksen and David Marshall are almost certainly going this summer. Grosicki, Bowen and Henriksen are too good to stay and too valuable to the Allams. No doubt their sale will be justified as “lowering” the scandalously high asking price the gruesome twosome hold over the club. Marshall is going because his wages are a throwback to a very recent but bygone age. The same is true of Evandro and Fraizer Campbell while Ondrej Mazuch, James Weir, Will Keane and Liam Ridgewell will surely go too along with loanees Todd Kane, Chris Martin and Marc Pugh.

That makes a potential 13 departures from a squad that is already weak and is without factoring any interest in the impressive Reece Burke, Jackson Irvine, Eric Lichaj and Daniel Batty or the chance sof cutting losses on the unimpressive Nouha Dicko, Jon Toral and David Milinkovic.

So how bad are things going to get? Every indicator suggests that City will have a bottom six, maybe bottom four, budget and squad for next season and that survival in the Championship will be a fantastic achievement for Nigel Adkins. Oh wait, that’s if Nigel Adkins is still the manager given that he too is out of contract and impressing potential suitors.

In 2016 City spent £13m on Ryan Mason. In early 2017, they spent £7m on Kamil Grosicki and signed the likes of Andrea Ranocchia, Oumar Niasse and Lazar Markovic on loan from Inter Milan, Everton and Liverpool respectively. Two years later they’ll be scouring Leagues One and Two, the Scottish Premier League and the reject bins from the Championship hoping to find players no-one else wants.

Photo: Hull Daily Mail

That in itself isn’t the end of the world. It’s a massive comedown and it will put paid to the support of some of the “less-hardcore” fans. But it’s a position many clubs are in and a trip into League One isn’t beneath a club of our size. The real kicks in the teeth are that it’s utterly needless, caused by the spite of the Allams in response to their failed rebrand, and its playing out amidst their refusal to fix the problems they’ve caused by removing concessions and chucking long-term supporters out of the parts of the ground they’ve inhabited since we moved from Boothferry Park.

For a club that is probably going to need all the help it can get in three months’ time, the way it is run has to change. Not in terms of finance - that’s always at the owners discretion in my book – but in the way it treats the players, staff and fans. The lack of communication is ridiculous. The lack of concessions unforgivable. And the lack of humility is driving the club off a cliff edge at a rate of Knotts.