Hull City owner Acun Ilicali takes 320 fans on all-inclusive trip Turkey
Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has taken more than 300 fans on an all-inclusive trip to Turkey. ITV News sports reporter Chris Dawkes reports from the country on a lavish move to create a community spirit at the club.
A man in a vintage 1992 Hull City jersey lifts his arms in a Turkish hotel. "Three cheers for Acun! Hip hip hurray!" he shouts enthusiastically.
The name on his lips is not one many of the club's supporters would have heard of a year ago. But today this fan speaks for all of his 320 fellow Tigers followers who have made the trip to Antalya.Last January media mogul Acun Ilicali – Turkey's answer to Simon Cowell – bought Hull in a £30million deal. In the intervening months it's fair to say the fans have bought into him too, in a big way.It’s little wonder.
Back in April, Ilicali announced plans to take hundreds of fans on an all expenses-paid trip to Turkey as a mark of gratitude for their support
He said: "It will be a fantastic five days, enjoying it together and it will be refreshing after Covid. It's an all-inclusive hotel. You will just come and be our guest."
There was no shortage of people interested in taking the boss up on his offer. More than 3,000 fans applied to go. A lottery was held to decide which 160 - and their plus-ones - would be on the plane.
They boarded two private charter planes at Humberside Airport on Sunday. One carried the flight number 1904 - the year Hull City were founded. Headrests were decked out in the club's black and amber colours.
And so, here we are, in the Mediterranean, on a pre-Christmas sunshine break at the expense of Hull’s very own Santa Claus. Ilicali might not have the beard and red coat but he has certainly brought Christmas early for these fans.
At the Grand Park Lara hotel in Antalya drinks and canapés are served on arrival. Flags are flying. "I just can’t help falling in love with you" echoes around the foyer. All that's missing is the chip spice.Of course, the very thought of this happening 12 months was as implausible as a hot dog ban at Hull fair.
The relationship between the Hull's previous owners - the Allams - and the fans had been irreparably damaged by a proposal to change the club's name, and in the eyes of the fans its identity, from Hull City to Hull Tigers. Fans don’t forget. Let alone forgive.Ilicali’s takeover ten months ago was heralded as a fresh start. A chance for the club and the fans to merge. To bond. To unite.Results on the pitch have been sketchy, managerial decisions questionable and player signings indifferent. But the PR exercise off it has been exemplary. Ilicali and his right hand man Tan Kesler have a led a charm offensive that has had the fanbase swooning. Anything can be forgiven if the intentions are pure.And in Turkey, as fans are treated to a black-and-amber cocktail of unknown contents, you sense that Ilicali can do no wrong. A week like no other has begun just like Ilicali’s ownership has – full of optimism and hope.