View source for Hull City A.F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in England}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{About|the men's team|the women's team|Hull City Ladies F.C.}}
{{redirect|Hull City|the city itself|Kingston upon Hull}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname      = Hull City
| image         = Hull City A.F.C. logo.svg
| image_size    = 170px
| fullname      = Hull City Association Football Club
| nickname      = ''The Tigers''
| founded       = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1904|6|28}}
| ground        = [[MKM Stadium]]
| capacity      = 25,586<ref name="mkmstadiuminfo">{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/stadium/mkm-stadium/ |title=Hull City Football Club – MKM Stadium |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |date=21 June 2021 |accessdate=11 April 2023}}</ref>
| owner         = [[Acun Medya]]
| chairman      = [[Acun Ilıcalı]]
| manager       = [[Sergej Jakirović]]
| league        = {{English football updater|HullCity}}
| season        = {{English football updater|HullCity2}}
| position      = {{English football updater|HullCity3}}
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| current       = 2025–26 Hull City A.F.C. season
}}

'''Hull City Association Football Club''' is a professional [[association football]] club based in [[Kingston upon Hull]], East Riding of Yorkshire, England. They compete in the {{English football updater|HullCity}}, the second level of the [[English football league system]]. They play their home games at the [[MKM Stadium]], after moving from [[Boothferry Park]] in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/hull-city-fans-sing-boothferry-park-time-video/story-14179925-detail/story.html|title=Hull City fans sing at Boothferry Park for last time (video update)|date=21 December 2011|accessdate=27 August 2016}}{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> The club's traditional home colours are black and amber, often featuring in a striped design on the shirt, hence their nickname, ''the Tigers''.<ref name="History Of The Tigers">{{cite news |title=History of the Tigers |url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/History/0,,10338,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718110902/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/History/0%2C%2C10338%2C00.html |archive-date=18 July 2011 |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |date=10 May 2011 |accessdate=25 November 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Hull also contest the [[Humber derby]] with both [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] and [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]].<ref name="HULvGRI">{{cite web |url= https://www.11v11.com/teams/hull-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Grimsby%20Town/ |title= Hull City football club: record v Grimsby Town |publisher= www.11v11.com |accessdate= 4 September 2023}}</ref><ref name="HULvSCU">{{cite web |url= https://www.11v11.com/teams/hull-city/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Scunthorpe%20United/ |title= Hull City football club: record v Scunthorpe United |publisher= www.11v11.com |accessdate= 4 September 2023}}</ref>

The club was founded in 1904 and was then admitted into the [[English Football League|Football League]] a year later. They remained in the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] until relegation in 1930. Hull won the [[Football League Third Division North|Third Division North]] title in 1932–33, but were relegated three years later. They won the Third Division North under the stewardship of [[Raich Carter]] in 1948–49, and this time remained in the second tier for seven seasons. Having been promoted again in 1958–59, they were relegated the following season and remained in the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] until they were promoted as champions under [[Cliff Britton]] in 1965–66. Twelve seasons in the second tier culminated in two relegations in four years by 1981. They were promoted from the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] at the end of the 1982–83 campaign and were beaten finalists in the inaugural [[EFL Trophy|Associate Members' Cup]] in [[1984 Associate Members' Cup final|1984]].

Hull were relegated in 1991 and again in 1996, but secured back-to-back promotions in 2003–04 and 2004–05. The club went on to win the [[2008 Football League Championship play-off final|2008 play-off final]] against [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] to win a place in the [[Premier League]] for the first time. They were relegated after two seasons, but were promoted again from the EFL Championship in 2012–13. Hull played in their first [[FA Cup]] final in [[2014 FA Cup final|2014]], who despite scoring twice early on, lost 3–2 to [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] after [[Overtime (sports)|extra-time]]. Relegated from the Premier League the following year, they returned for a third time with victory in the [[2016 Football League Championship play-off final|2016 play-off final]]. They were relegated again from the top-flight just a year later, before dropping into the third tier in 2020. Hull secured immediate promotion as champions of [[EFL League One|League One]] at the end of the 2020–21 campaign.

== History ==
{{Further|History of Hull City A.F.C.}}
{{For|a statistical breakdown by season|List of Hull City A.F.C. seasons}}

[[File:Hull City AFC League Performance.svg|thumb|right|Chart showing the progress of Hull City's league finishes since the [[1905–06 in English football|1905–06]] season]]

=== Foundation and early progress (1904–1945) ===
Hull City Association Football Club was founded on 28 June 1904.<ref name="History webpage">{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |accessdate=27 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="1904-1915: The Formative Years">{{cite news |title=1904–1915: The Formative Years |url=http://www.hullcity-mad.co.uk/feat/edy1/19041915_the_formative_years_30224/index.shtml |work=Hull City Mad |publisher=Digital Sports Group |date=2 January 2002 |accessdate=27 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Peterson|first=Mike|title=A Century of City|year=2005|publisher=Yore Publications|isbn=0954783077|page=7}}</ref> Due to the popularity of [[rugby league]] in [[Kingston upon Hull]], previous attempts to found an [[association football]] club in the city had proved difficult.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of this is mentioned in the next source. the only mention of rugby is 'friendly games... were played at the Boulevard, home of Hull F.C. (one of the City's professional Rugby League clubs).'}} By 1904, both [[Hull F.C.]] and [[Hull Kingston Rovers|Hull K.R.]] were already well-established sides with passionate local backing.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of this is mentioned in the next source. the only mention of rugby is 'friendly games... were played at the Boulevard, home of Hull F.C. (one of the City's professional Rugby League clubs).' Hull Kingston Rovers not mentioned.}} The desire for a third team to represent the city in competitive sport was not particularly present at the time, but support would soon grow.<ref name="1904-1915: The Formative Years"/> The club faced some initial disruptions after foundation, as they had been unable to apply for membership of the [[the Football League|Football League]] for the [[1904–05 Hull City A.F.C. season|1904–05]] season and instead played only in friendlies.<ref name="Hull City Historical Football Kits">{{cite web |title=Hull City |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Hull_City/Hull_City.htm |work=Historical Football Kits |publisher=Dave Moor |accessdate=19 September 2017}}</ref> The first of these matches was a 2–2 draw with [[Notts County F.C.|Notts County]] on 1 September 1904, with a crowd of 6,000 in attendance.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of this is mentioned in the next source. no crowd, no date, no result. nothing.}} These early matches were played at Hull F.C.'s home, [[The Boulevard (stadium)|the Boulevard]].<ref name="History Of The Tigers"/> The club's first competitive football match was in the [[FA Cup]] preliminary round, drawing 3–3 with [[Stockton F.C.|Stockton]] on 17 September, but they were eliminated after losing the replay 4–1 on 22 September.<ref name="Peterson 13">{{cite book
 | first = Mike
 | last = Peterson
 | title = The Definitive Hull City A.F.C. : A statistical history to 1999
 | year = 1999
 | publisher = Tony Brown
 | isbn = 1-899468-13-7
 | page = 13 }}</ref>

After disputes with landlords at the Boulevard, Hull City temporarily moved to [[The Circle (Kingston upon Hull)|the Circle]], a [[cricket]] ground in West Park.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source does not specify that it is the Circle. the Circle appears to be on Anlaby Road, but this could be properly verified.}}<ref name="1904-1915: The Formative Years" /> After having played 44 friendly fixtures the previous season, Hull City were admitted into the [[Football League Second Division]] for the [[1905–06 in English football|1905–06]] season.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention any 'friendly fixtures'. so does not state '44'.}}<ref name="Hull City fchd">{{cite web |title=Hull City |url=https://www.fchd.info/HULLC.HTM |work=Football Club History Database |publisher=Richard Rundle |accessdate=19 September 2017}}</ref> Other teams competing in the league that season included [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] and [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], as well as Yorkshire rivals [[Barnsley F.C.|Barnsley]], [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] and [[Leeds City F.C.|Leeds City]].<ref name="Peterson 13" /> Furthermore, [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]], from the southern bank of the [[Humber|Humber Estuary]] in [[Lincolnshire]], were also in the Second Division.{{relevance inline|date=February 2024|reason=a team from a different county? why is it given a separate sentence when the 3 'Yorkshire rivals' are all included earlier? uncited too.}}{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Hull and Grimsby were the only two professional teams who were granted official exemption from playing league football on [[Christmas Day]] because of the demands of the fish trade.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hull City: 20 surprising facts about Premier League new boys |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/hull-city-20-surprising-facts-1874351 |work=Mirror |publisher=Paul Cockerton |date = 7 May 2013 |accessdate=21 August 2023}}</ref> Hull defeated Barnsley 4–1 at home in their first game,<ref name="Peterson 13" /> and ended the season with a solid 5th-place finish.{{vague|date=February 2024|reason=what is a 'solid 5th-place finish'? if it is a football term, could the jargon be linked? if it is not, is '5th-place finish' not enough?}}<ref name="Hull City fchd" />

In March 1906, a permanent home ground was opened for Hull City just across the road from the cricket ground, known as [[Anlaby Road]].{{vague|date=February 2024|reason=was the cricket ground known as Anlaby Road? or the permanent home ground? and what then of the Circle, 'on Anlaby Road', mentioned earlier?}}{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not in source at end.}} It would house the team until 1939.{{failed verification|date=February 2024}} Under the guidance of [[Player-coach|player-manager]] [[Ambrose Langley]], Hull continued to finish consistently in the top-half of the table.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=Ambrose Langley is not mentioned. 12/20 in 1912–13 is not 'top half'.13/22 in 1920–21 is not 'top half'. 17/22 in 1923–24 is certainly not 'top half'. and all the other examples until 1939. if it is until 1914 only, example 1 shows they did not. but the exact time period is unclear.}} They came close to promotion in the [[1909–10 in English football|1909–10]] season, recording what would be the club's highest-ever league finish for nearly a century. Hull had ended the season level on points with [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]], but finished below the Latics due to goal average, where a narrow margin of 0.29 of a goal had meant the Tigers missed out on promotion.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of this is mentioned in the link provided.}}<ref name="Hull City fchd" />

Hull would continue to regularly finish in the top-half of the table prior to the suspension of English football during the [[World War I|First World War]], but their momentum had gone after its restart in 1919. The Tigers began to struggle, finishing in the bottom half of the table in seven seasons out of the next eleven. This culminated in [[Promotion and relegation|relegation]] to the [[Football League Third Division North|Third Division North]] following the [[1929–30 in English football|1929–30]] season.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention/confirm 'relegation to the Third Division North', but the rest is covered.}}<ref name="Hull City fchd" /> Despite the league campaign ending in relegation, Hull found much better luck in the FA Cup. Prior to 2014, Hull's greatest result in any cup competition was achieved in the [[1929–30 FA Cup]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason='Success in the FA Cup saw the club reach the semi-final for the first (and only) time in their history' – source is from 2008. so if it changed in 2014... an additional source?}}<ref name="1919-1939: Inter War Promise Not Fulfilled">{{cite news |date=2 January 2002 |title=1919–1939: Inter War Promise Not Fulfilled |work=Hull City Mad |publisher=Digital Sports Group |url=http://www.hullcity-mad.co.uk/feat/edy1/19191939_inter_war_promise_not_fulfilled_30225/index.shtml |accessdate=26 February 2011}}</ref> The Tigers began with victories over the eventual champions of the Third Division, [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] and the eventual champions of the Second Division, [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=sources needed to confirm 'eventual champions of the Third Division' & 'eventual champions of the Second Division'.}} They then overcame [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] to meet [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] in the quarter-finals. The first game at [[St James' Park]] finished as a 1–1 draw, but, in the home replay, Hull beat Newcastle 1–0. This meant Hull played the semi-finals, where they were paired with [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]], in a game held at the [[neutral venue]] of [[Elland Road]] in [[Leeds]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention Elland Road. source needed to confirm St James' Park.}} The semi-final ended 2–2, and, so, was replayed at [[Villa Park]] in [[Birmingham]] four days later.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='four days later' – no dates in source. source just mentions 'Aston Villa' – need to confirm Villa Park as venue.}} Arsenal won the semi-final replay 1–0, thus ending Hull's [[Glossary of association football terms|cup run]].<ref name="Hull City fchd" />[[File:Hull City30s.JPG|thumb|Hull City squad in 1936]]

Hull would eventually be promoted back to the Second Division after they won their first-ever league title in the [[1932–33 Hull City A.F.C. season|1932–33]] season.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Managed by [[Haydn Green]], they had finished above 2nd-placed [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]] by just 2 points, mainly due to the goals of [[Bill McNaughton]] who was the league's top-scorer that season with 41 goals.

=== Lower-league success and stagnation (1945–1982) ===
After the [[World War II|Second World War]], the club moved to another new ground, [[Boothferry Park]].<ref name="Boothferry Park">{{cite news
| first = Andy
| last = Beill
| title = Boothferry Park
| url = http://www.hullcity-mad.co.uk/feat/edy3/boothferry_park_186699/index.shtml
|work=Hull City Mad |publisher=Digital Sports Group
| date = 6 November 2007
| accessdate = 26 February 2011}}</ref> In the [[1948–49 Hull City A.F.C. season|1948–49]] season, under the tutelage of former England international and now [[Player-coach|player-manager]] [[Raich Carter]], Hull won promotion from the Third Division North as champions.{{additional citation needed|reason=source does not mention Raich Carter, or anything else about him.|date=February 2024}}<ref name="Hull City fchd" /> "[[Yo-yo club|Yo-yoing]]" between the second and third tiers of [[English football]], City had promotion seasons from the Third Division to the Second Division again in [[1958–59 in English football|1958–59]] and [[1965–66 Hull City A.F.C. season|1965–66]], winning the Third Division title in the latter-season.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason='yo-yoing' is interesting, but does not appear to be mentioned in either source?}}<ref name="1939-1961: The Carter Era and Beyond">{{cite news
| title = 1939–1961: The Carter Era and Beyond
| url = http://www.hullcity-mad.co.uk/feat/edy1/19391961_the_carter_era_and_beyond_30226/index.shtml
|work=Hull City Mad |publisher=Digital Sports Group
| date = 2 January 2002
| accessdate = 26 February 2011}}</ref><ref name="1961-1980: Rising under Britton then Decline">{{cite news
| title = 1961–1980: Rising under Britton then Decline
| url = http://www.hullcity-mad.co.uk/feat/edy1/19611980_rising_under_britton_then_decline_30228/index.shtml
|work=Hull City Mad |publisher=Digital Sports Group
| date = 2 January 2002
| accessdate = 26 February 2011}}</ref> For the majority of the 1960s, Hull was managed by [[Cliff Britton]], who has since achieved cult-status with supporters of the club for the successes he achieved, especially the Third Division title win in 1966.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=where is the source for 'since achieved cult-status with supporters of the club for the successes he achieved'?}} The side that year featured record club appearance-maker{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} [[Andy Davidson (footballer)|Andy Davidson]] and record club goal-scorer{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} [[Chris Chilton]] as well as [[Forward (association football)#Striker|striker]] [[Ken Houghton]] and a young [[Ken Wagstaff]], among others. It is widely regarded{{by whom|date=February 2024}} as one of the best squads the club has ever had.

On [[Hull City A.F.C. 1–1 Manchester United F.C. (1970)|1 August 1970]], Hull became the first team in the world to be eliminated from a cup competition on [[Penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalties]], beaten by Manchester United in the semi-final of the [[Watney Cup]].{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=is 'a cup competition', or any type of competition, covered in this source?}}<ref name="Shooting from the hip">{{cite news
| first1 = Sean
| last1 = Ingle
| first2 = Scott
| last2 = Murray
| title = Shooting from the hip
| url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/jan/10/theknowledge.sport
| newspaper = The Guardian
| date = 10 January 2002
| accessdate = 11 July 2011
}}</ref>

By the early 1980s, Hull City were in the Fourth Division, and financial collapse led to [[receivership]].{{citation needed|date=February 2024}}

=== Robinson years and fall to the fourth tier (1982–1996) ===

Ahead of the [[1982–83 in English football|1982–83]] season, Hull were saved from their financial troubles. [[Don Robinson (British businessman)|Don Robinson]], a businessman who had made his money as a [[Promoter (entertainment)|promoter]] of [[professional wrestling]], bought a majority stake in the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city-for-sale-receivership-4005024|title=Out of cash and up for sale: The story of how Hull City almost went to the wall|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=31 March 2020|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref> Robinson arrived having been chairman of [[Scarborough F.C.|Scarborough]], and brought the non-league side's manager, [[Colin Appleton]], in as Smith's permanent replacement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/june/12/through-the-years-1979-1984/|title=Through The Years: 1979-1984|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=12 June 2025|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/m20-colin-appleton/|title=M20 Colin Appleton|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref> That season may have seen big changes amongst the backroom staff, but on the field Hull relied on their own talents to turn things around. The early 1980s had seen a new crop of young players break into the first team, with most of them going on to do great things in football. Winger [[Brian Marwood]] made an appearance for [[England national football team|England]] in 1988,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/577-brian-marwood/|title=577 Brian Marwood|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref> whilst midfielder [[Steve McClaren]] would manage the national side between 2006 and 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/583-steve-mcclaren/|title=583 Steve McClaren|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref> Elsewhere, the Tigers' efficient strike partnership of notorious hard man [[Billy Whitehurst]] and creative veteran [[Les Mutrie]] had become feared throughout the Football League.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/591-billy-whitehurst/|title=591 Billy Whitehurst|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/594-les-mutrie/|title=594 Les Mutrie|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref> Additionally, local lad [[Garreth Roberts]] captained the side from midfield as Hull earned promotion with a 2nd-placed finish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/572-garreth-roberts/|title=572 Garreth Roberts|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref>

After narrowly missing out on back-to-back promotions in May 1984, Appleton left his position at Hull, having been enticed to become the new manager of [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=none of this is in the next source cited.}} His replacement was player-manager [[Brian Horton]] who would first join the Tigers on their summer tour of Florida the following month, where they visited [[Walt Disney World]], and played the [[Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975–1993)|Tampa Bay Rowdies]], managed by [[Rodney Marsh]], in the return leg of the [[Arrow Air|Arrow Air Anglo-American Cup]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=source does not mention Brian Horton, June 1984, visiting Walt Disney World, playing the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Rodney Marsh, the Arrow Air Anglo-American Cup, its 'return leg'... most of this really. 'Herman and Priestman worked together again with City when charting the club’s tour of Florida a year later' is about all it says.}}<ref name="A&B">{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/how-hull-city-eclipsed-duran-1982059|title=A celebrated musician, a Hollywood film director and Hull City's chart-topping song|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=25 December 2022|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref> Mark Herman would direct and edit a short [[documentary film]] of the tour, with Priestman composing its music. Herman released the finished version online in 2016, titled ''"A Kick in the Grass"''.{{primary source inline|date=February 2024|reason=does the YouTube link confirm all that is written here?}}<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CG5ysDFxoG4 |title=A Kick in the Grass |date=29 November 2016 |accessdate=13 June 2023}}</ref> Promotion followed in the [[1984–85 in English football|1984–85]] season under Horton,{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} with the young City squad now not only talented but experienced too.

Hull remained in the Second Division for the next six years before being relegated in 1991, by which time the club's manager was [[Terry Dolan (football manager)|Terry Dolan]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=soure does not mention Terry Dolan.}} It was during this period in the Second Division that Hull fielded a [[Black British people|black]] player for the first time, when [[Ray Daniel (English footballer)|Ray Daniel]] made his debut on 23 August 1986 in a home game against [[West Bromwich Albion]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hern |first1=Bill |last2=Gleave |first2=David |title=Football's Black Pioneers |date=2020 |publisher=Conker Editions |location=Leicester |isbn=9781999900854 |pages=168–169}}</ref> He would make 58 league appearances for the Tigers before moving to [[Cardiff City]] in August 1989.

The Tigers finished 14th in the Third Division in the [[1991–92 Hull City A.F.C. season|1991–92]] season, meaning that they would be competing in the new Second Division the following season.{{vague|date=February 2024|reason=explain for the reader how finishing 14th qualified them for 'the new Second Division'?}}<ref name="Hull City fchd"/> In their first season in the rebranded division, Hull narrowly avoided another relegation, but the board kept faith in Dolan and over the next two seasons they achieved mid-table finishes.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} Financial difficulties hampered City's progress, as key players such as [[Alan Fettis]] and [[Dean Windass]] had to be sold to fend off [[Liquidation|winding-up orders]].{{failed verification|date=February 2024}}<ref name="PremierLeague">{{cite web
| title = Club Profile
| url = http://www.premierleague.com/page/hull-city
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080725093330/http://www.premierleague.com/page/hull-city
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 25 July 2008
| publisher = Premier League
| accessdate = 11 July 2011}}</ref> In the [[1995–96 Hull City A.F.C. season|1995–96]] season, Hull were relegated to the Third Division.<ref name="History Of The Tigers"/><ref name="1980-1997: Robinson the Saviour - Boring, Boring Dolan">{{cite news
| title = 1980–1997: Robinson the Saviour – Boring, Boring Dolan
| url = http://www.hullcity-mad.co.uk/feat/edy1/19801997_robinson_the_saviour__boring_boring_dolan_30229/index.shtml
|work=Hull City Mad |publisher=Digital Sports Group
| date = 2 January 2002
| accessdate = 26 February 2011}}</ref>

=== "The Great Escape" and rise to the top-flight (1996–2008) ===
The Tigers did not secure immediate promotion back to the Second Division in the [[1996–97 Hull City A.F.C. season|1996–97]] campaign. In fact, they languished close to the bottom of the table, only ten points clear of relegation, finishing 17th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1996-97.html|title=Season 1996-97|work=Football Statistics Archive|accessdate=17 May 2025}}</ref> Despite this, the season was notable due to the arrival of three important players. Firstly, [[Mark Greaves]] was bought from non-league [[Brigg Town F.C.|Brigg Town]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/732-mark-greaves/|title=732 Mark Greaves|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=17 May 2025}}</ref> before [[Gregor Rioch]] joined from [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]].<ref name="Rioch">{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/729-gregor-rioch/|title=729 Gregor Rioch|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=17 May 2025}}</ref> Midfielder [[Warren Joyce]] signed a permanent deal soon after, having been on loan at the club for a short time at the end of the previous season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/707-warren-joyce/|title=707 Warren Joyce|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=17 May 2025}}</ref> In July 1997, former [[tennis]] player [[David Lloyd (tennis)|David Lloyd]], who was the captain of the [[Great Britain Davis Cup team|British Davis Cup team]] at the time, completed a takeover of the club. This ended the Needler family's ownership, which had lasted over 50 years. He also acquired Hull F.C. (then known as [[Hull F.C.#Summer era|Hull Sharks]]) in the same month.<ref name="TTY">{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history/through-the-years/|title=Through the Years|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref><ref name="Lloyd">{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/remembering-hull-city-fans-tennis-2006345|title=Remembering Hull City fans' tennis ball protest of David Lloyd 20 years on|publisher=Hull Daily Mail|date=16 September 2018|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref> Upon Lloyd's arrival, Dolan left.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/m24-terry-dolan/|title=M24 Terry Dolan|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref> He was succeeded by former [[England national football team|England]] international [[Mark Hateley]], who acted as player-manager.<ref name="TTY"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/m25-mark-hateley/|title=M25 Mark Hateley|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref> In the [[1997–98 Hull City A.F.C. season|1997–98]] season Hull finished in 22nd, albeit a large enough distance above last-placed [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] that they were never in any real danger of relegation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1997-98.html|title=Season 1997-98|work=Football Statistics Archive|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref>

The next campaign was a lot less comfortable. The relationship between the club's supporters and Lloyd had soured following the unveiling of plans to move the Tigers back to [[The Boulevard (stadium)|the Boulevard]] after nearly a century away.<ref name="Lloyd"/> Furthermore, Lloyd also wanted to merge City and F.C. together to generate more income, a proposal that did not sit well with either fanbase. In a [[1998–99 Football League Cup#Second round|League Cup]] fixture away at [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] on 15 September 1998, Hull's travelling fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch to delay the game and show their disapproval for how their club was being run. This is often cited as the first instance of a tennis ball protest in football.<ref name="Lloyd"/> The club was eventually sold in November 1998, although Lloyd retained ownership of Boothferry Park. The new owners were a consortium from [[Sheffield]], and headed by businessman Nick Buchanan.<ref name="TTY"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2001/feb/08/newsstory.sport2|title=Administrators called in as Tigers face oblivion|work=The Guardian|date=8 February 2001|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref> Their first decision was to sack Hateley, and promote the now 34-year-old Joyce to replace him as player-manager.<ref name="TTY"/><ref name="Joyce">{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/warren-joyce-lifts-lid-magic-2677192|title=Warren Joyce lifts the lid on the magic that helped Hull City pull off their Great Escape|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=25 March 2019|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref> When Joyce took over, the club were rooted to the bottom of the Football League.<ref name="Joyce"/> After a hard-fought second half of the campaign, they avoided the drop by five points.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1998-99.html|title=Season 1998-99|work=Football Statistics Archive|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref> As a result, the [[1998–99 Hull City A.F.C. season|1998–99]] season is now referred to as "the Great Escape" by supporters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Following Tigers through thick and mainly thin finally pays off|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/other-clubs/following_tigers_through_thick_and_mainly_thin_finally_pays_off_1_2502149|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602233244/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/other-clubs/following_tigers_through_thick_and_mainly_thin_finally_pays_off_1_2502149|archivedate=2 June 2012|work=The Yorkshire Post|date=24 May 2008|accessdate=11 July 2011}}</ref>

In October 1999, Hull signed two [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]] internationals in [[Ian Goodison]] and [[Theodore Whitmore|Theo Whitmore]]. Joyce had remembered the pair's impressive performances at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]], and when he was presented with an opportunity to sign them, he took it. In the fourth tier, they were unstoppable. Goodison helped to anchor Hull's defence, whilst Whitmore's creativity and flair from midfield dazzled opponents.<ref name="Jamaica">{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city-jamaica-goodison-whitmore-4154396|title=Hull City's Reggae Boyz: How two Jamaica World Cup stars shone at Boothferry Park|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=22 May 2020|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref> Despite their talent, they could not save Joyce from losing his job. In April 2000, he was sacked and swiftly replaced by former [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] striker [[Brian Little]].<ref name="TTY"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/m27-brian-little/|title=M27 Brian Little|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref> Within a few weeks of Little's appointment, the [[1999–2000 Hull City A.F.C. season|1999–00]] campaign was over, and Hull had climbed the league as high as 14th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1999-00.html|title=Season 1999-00|work=Football Statistics Archive|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref> However, soon after the season's conclusion, Lloyd exercised his control over Boothferry Park. Due to rent issues and outstanding financial figures, he called in the [[bailiff]]s and locked the club out of their own stadium.<ref name="TTY"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/25/newsstory.sport1|title=Hull locked out by landlord Lloyd|work=The Guardian|date=25 May 2000|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref> Following a short legal battle, Hull were allowed back in the ground ahead of the upcoming [[2000–01 Hull City A.F.C. season|2000–01]] season.<ref name="TTY"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/27/newsstory.sport4|title=Hull back at Boothferry as Lloyd's lock-out ends|work=The Guardian|date=27 May 2000|accessdate=19 May 2025}}</ref>

That year, the Tigers greatly improved. They achieved a play-off finish, only to lose to [[Leyton Orient F.C.|Leyton Orient]] in the semi-finals.<ref name="Hull City fchd"/> By this time, a takeover by former [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] director [[Adam Pearson (sports executive)|Adam Pearson]] had been completed and eased the club's precarious financial situation.<ref name="History Of The Tigers"/><ref name="TTY"/> Pearson began funding Hull upon his arrival, allowing Little to rebuild the team ahead of the [[2001–02 Hull City A.F.C. season|2001–02]] season. An overhaul amongst the attack followed, with the additions of [[Gary Alexander (footballer)|Gary Alexander]],<ref name="GA01">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/january/27/shared-shirts-gary-alexander/|title=Shared Shirts: Gary Alexander|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=27 January 2024|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref> [[David Beresford]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/players/david-beresford-4013/|title=David Beresford|work=11v11.com|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> [[Lawrie Dudfield]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hull-city-record-transfer-fee-2230894|title=How Hull City's record transfer fee has evolved over the last century|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=14 April 2020|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> and [[Ryan Williams (footballer, born 1978)|Ryan Williams]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/801-ryan-williams/#:~:text=When%20City%20signed%20Ryan%20Williams,season%20in%20a%20Chesterfield%20shirt.|title=801 Ryan Williams|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> On top of this, [[Faroe Islands national football team|Faroese]] international [[Julian Johnsson]] was signed to bolster the midfield,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/800-julian-johnsson/#:~:text=Faroe%20Islander%20Julian%20Johnsson%20joined,%2C%20tackled%2C%20passed%20and%20created.|title=800 Julian Johnsson|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> whilst [[Ben Petty]] joined from [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]] to strengthen the defensive line.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/2558811.stm|title=Tigers let Petty go|work=BBC Sport|date=9 December 2002|access-date=23 April 2025}}</ref> These new signings initially oversaw success, with Hull occupying a play-off spot for much of the campaign. However, following a rocky start to the new year, Little was dismissed as manager on 27 February 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/brian-little-hull-city-reign-2236122|title=Unpaid wages, administration and Adam Pearson's regrets, the story behind Brian Little's Hull City reign|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=7 April 2020|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> In the time it took to find his replacement, interim [[Billy Russell (footballer, born 1959)|Billy Russell]] lost five out of his seven games in charge. [[Jan Mølby]], coincidentally Hull's first non-British or Irish manager, was eventually appointed on 4 April 2002.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/1910587.stm|title=Molby takes Hull job|work=BBC Sport|date=4 April 2002|access-date=23 April 2025}}</ref> Despite the former [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] midfielder's arrival, he could not recover the club's waning form as they slumped to 11th at the season's close.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro18167/md46/results-and-standings/|title=League Two 2001/2002 » 46. Round|work=worldfootball.net|date=28 March 2024 |access-date=23 April 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Boothferry park last day.jpg|thumb|Celebrations before the final game at [[Boothferry Park]], 14 December 2002]]

The [[2002–03 Hull City A.F.C. season|2002–03]] campaign was much the same as its predecessor. Despite its mediocrity, two key signings were made during the prior summer transfer window. Future [[#Hall of Fame|Hull City Hall of Fame]] inductees [[Ian Ashbee]] and [[Stuart Elliott (footballer, born 1978)|Stuart Elliott]] arrived from [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]] and [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]] respectively.<ref name="Ashbee">{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history/hall-of-fame/ian-ashbee/|title=Ian Ashbee|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history/hall-of-fame/stuart-elliott/|title=Stuart Elliott|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> On 11 October 2002, Mølby was sacked,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/2319321.stm|title=Molby sacked by Hull|work=BBC Sport|date=11 October 2002|access-date=23 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/oct/11/newsstory.sport8|title=Molby quits Hull at second attempt|work=The Guardian|date=11 October 2002|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> with [[Peter Taylor (footballer, born 1953)|Peter Taylor]] replacing him the next day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2002/oct/12/sport.comment1|title=Taylor takes the reins at under-achieving Hull|work=The Guardian|date=12 October 2002|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> The highlight of the season, though, was the change in stadium. After 56 years at [[Boothferry Park]], the Tigers played their final match there on 14 December 2002, a 1–0 loss to [[Darlington F.C.|Darlington]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2020/december/on-this-day-farewell-boothferry-park/|title=On This Day: Farewell Boothferry Park!|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=14 December 2020|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> On 18 December 2002, Hull played their first game at the new [[MKM Stadium|KC Stadium]], a 1–0 [[Exhibition game|friendly]] win over [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]. [[Steve Melton]] scored the first goal at the new ground.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/october/17/raich-carter-trophy-2024/|title=Raich Carter Trophy 2024
|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=17 October 2024|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> The first competitive match came a week later, on 26 December 2002, a 2–0 win over [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] in the league.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/2588395.stm|title=Hull 2-0 Hartlepool|work=BBC Sport|date=26 December 2002|access-date=23 April 2025}}</ref> There was a crowd of 22,319 spectators in attendance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/hull-city-v-hartlepool-united-26-december-2002-15008/|title=Hull City v Hartlepool United, 26 December 2002|work=11v11.com|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> By the end of the season, there was nothing to play for, with the Tigers finishing 13th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro18105/md46/results-and-standings/|title=League Two 2002/2003 » 46. Round|work=worldfootball.net|date=28 March 2024 |access-date=23 April 2025}}</ref>

The [[2003–04 Hull City A.F.C. season|2003–04]] season saw the beginning of one of the club's best-ever eras. Before it began, that summer's transfer window saw the signing of another future [[#Hall of Fame|Hull City Hall of Fame]] inductee, as [[Andy Dawson]] joined on a free from [[Humber derby]] rivals [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history/hall-of-fame/andy-dawson/|title=Andy Dawson|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> Other important arrivals that window were [[Danny Allsopp]], [[Richard Hinds]], [[Jason Price]], and [[Alton Thelwell]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city-peter-taylor-reign-4018676|title=Peter Taylor's Hull City reign revisited: Pride, regrets, advice from Sir Alex and almost returning|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=4 April 2020|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref> Later that season, young prospects [[Ryan France]] and [[Boaz Myhill]] both also signed for the club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city-ryan-france-student-2929946|title='What a ride' - How Hull City's Ryan France went from student nights to the Premier League|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=25 April 2020|accessdate=24 April 2025}}</ref><ref name="BM03">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/may/28/your-winner-is-boaz-myhill/|title=Your winner is... Boaz Myhill|date=28 May 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref> After 17 games, Hull were sat 1st in the league table.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro17364/md17/results-and-standings/|title=League Two 2003/2004 » 27. Round|work=worldfootball.net|date=28 March 2024 |access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> They were eventually forced to settle for 2nd-place promotion behind [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]], largely due to dropping vital points either side of a strong Christmas period.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro17364/md46/results-and-standings/|title=League Two 2003/2004 » 46. Round|work=worldfootball.net|date=28 March 2024 |access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> The following year, in the [[2004–05 Hull City A.F.C. season|2004–05]] season, the Tigers completed the impressive feat of back-to-back promotions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro13845/md46/results-and-standings/|title=League One 2004/2005 » 46. Round|work=worldfootball.net|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> The most noteworthy addition to the squad had been Hull-born veteran [[Nick Barmby]], who arrived on a free transfer from [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/3852967.stm|title=Hull sign Barmby|work=BBC Sport|date=6 July 2004|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/hull-cit-nick-barmby-romantic-3059939|title=A romantic homecoming and statement of intent: How Hull City signed hometown hero Nick Barmby|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=6 July 2019|accessdate=24 April 2025}}</ref>

[[File:Paul Duffen at KC Stadium as Chairmain of HFAFC, 2008 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|[[Paul Duffen]], owner of Hull City between 2007 and 2010]]
[[File:Bristol City 0-1 Hull City.png|thumb|right|Hull City supporters prior to the [[2008 Football League Championship playoff final|2008 play-off final]] against [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]]]]
[[File:Hull City promotion celebration.jpg|thumb|right|[[Phil Brown (footballer, born 1959)|Phil Brown]] and players celebrate on promotion to the Premier League in 2008]]

The [[2005–06 Hull City A.F.C. season|2005–06]] season was Hull's first in the second tier since the [[1990–91 Hull City A.F.C. season|1990–91]] campaign.<ref name="Hull City fchd"/> At the turn of the new year, they were in 17th-place,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro13924/md27/results-and-standings/|title=Championship 2005/2006 » 27. Round|work=worldfootball.net|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> only falling to 18th-place by the end of the season, finishing above the drop by 10 points and securing survival.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro13924/md46/results-and-standings/|title=Championship 2005/2006 » 46. Round|work=worldfootball.net|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> However, after the campaign's conclusion, manager Taylor left Hull for [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/crystal_palace/5067262.stm|title=Taylor named new Palace manager|work=BBC Sport|date=13 June 2006|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> He was succeeded by [[Phil Parkinson]], who struggled at his new job, having overseen previous success with [[Colchester United F.C.|Colchester United]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/5129748.stm|title=Parkinson confirmed as Hull boss|work=BBC Sport|date=29 June 2006|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> On 4 December 2006, Parkinson was sacked with the Tigers in the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/dec/04/newsstory.hullcity|title=Parkinson and Hull part company|work=The Guardian|date=4 December 2006|accessdate=24 April 2025}}</ref> His replacement would prove pivotal to the next few years of the club's history. [[Phil Brown (footballer, born 1959)|Phil Brown]] was announced as the new manager on 4 January 2007, having worked as interim boss alongside his new assistant [[Colin Murphy (footballer, born 1944)|Colin Murphy]] since Parkinson's dismissal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6228967.stm|title=Hull unveil Brown as new manager|work=BBC Sport|date=4 January 2007|access-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> In that time, Brown and Murphy had accelerated Hull up to 21st-place and away from immediate danger.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro14658/md27/results-and-standings/|title=Championship 2006/2007 » 27. Round|work=worldfootball.net|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> On 17 January 2007, local legend [[Dean Windass]] made a return to the Tigers, joining on loan from [[Bradford City F.C.|Bradford City]] for the remainder of the [[2006–07 Hull City A.F.C. season|2006–07]] season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6270951.stm|title=Hull capture Windass in loan deal|work=BBC Sport|date=17 January 2007|access-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> His eight goals helped secure Hull's Championship status, with a 21st-placed finish.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/678-dean-windass/|title=678 Dean Windass|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=24 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro14658/md46/results-and-standings/|title=Championship 2006/2007 » 46. Round|work=worldfootball.net|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref>

Ahead of the [[2007–08 Hull City A.F.C. season|2007–08]] campaign, Windass' move was made permanent.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6725825.stm|title=Windass completes Tigers switch|work=BBC Sport|date=19 June 2007|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> Other key signings made in the transfer window included forward [[Caleb Folan]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6972013.stm|title=Hull break record to land Folan|work=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2007|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> and [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]] international [[Richard Garcia]], with the latter arriving from Brown's old club, Colchester.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6225940.stm|title=Garcia leaves Colchester for Hull|work=BBC Sport|date=2 July 2007|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> The club only managed to afford these transfers through new ownership. On 11 June 2007, Adam Pearson had sold the club for a reported £13m to a consortium led by [[Paul Duffen]].<ref name="Duffen">{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/who-paul-duffen-what-hull-2072288|title=Who is Paul Duffen and what was his Hull City legacy?|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=3 October 2018|accessdate=24 April 2025}}</ref> [[Russell Bartlett]] and [[Martin Walker (football director)|Martin Walker]] were also involved in the takeover.<ref name="Duffen"/> In response to the news, Pearson said that during his tenure he "had taken the club as far as [he] could".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6740257.stm|title=New owner takes over at Hull City|work=BBC Sport|date=11 June 2007|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref>

On the pitch, things started slowly. After 11 games, Hull were in 18th.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro16406/md11/results-and-standings/|title=Championship 2007/2008 » 11. Round|work=worldfootball.net|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> However, after gaining momentum through the winter, the Tigers were in 8th-place after 33 games, and only one point off the play-offs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro16406/md33/results-and-standings/|title=Championship 2007/2008 » 33. Round|work=worldfootball.net|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> Since the start of the campaign, [[Fraizer Campbell]] had been loaned in to help push the team up the league and it was clearly working.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/903-fraizer-campbell/|title=903 Fraizer Campbell|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=24 April 2025}}</ref> By the close of the season, not only had Campbell had racked up 15 goals,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7569025.stm|title=Campbell not ruling out Hull loan|work=BBC Sport|date=19 August 2008|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> but Hull had finished 3rd-place and qualified for the [[2007–08 Football League Championship#Play-offs|play-offs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/competition/ro16406/md46/results-and-standings/|title=Championship 2007/2008 » 46. Round|work=worldfootball.net|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref>

In the semi-finals, they faced [[Watford F.C.|Watford]]. Hull earned a 2–0 win away at [[Vicarage Road]] in the first leg, in part thanks to [[John Eustace]] receiving a red card and reducing their hosts to 10 men.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/7381815.stm|title=Watford 0-2 Hull|work=BBC Sport|date=11 May 2008|access-date=24 April 2025}}</ref> In the second leg, [[Darius Henderson]] provided a scare as Watford went 1–0 up, only for the Tigers to score a late flurry of goals and win 4–1 on the night and 6–1 on aggregate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7393756.stm|title=Hull 4–1 Watford (agg 6–1)|work=BBC Sport|date=14 May 2008|access-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> On 24 May 2008, [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] were the only thing between Hull and the [[Premier League]]. At [[Wembley Stadium]], Phil Brown's men reached the top-flight for the first time in the club's history, after Dean Windass' incredible first half volley secured a famous [[2008 Football League Championship play-off final|1–0]] win.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/7416502.stm|title=Bristol City 0–1 Hull|work=BBC Sport|date=24 May 2008|access-date=24 May 2008}}</ref> Hull's ascent from the fourth tier to the first tier in just five seasons was the third-fastest in English football history, behind joint-first [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] (1977–81) and [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]] (1982–86).<ref>{{cite news|title=The wait ends for Lyon and Hull|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/news/newsid=780472.html|work=FIFA|date=28 May 2008|accessdate=11 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112032244/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/news/newsid%3D780472.html |archive-date=12 November 2012}}</ref>

===Premier League football and "yo-yo" years (2008–2016)===
Throughout the summer of 2008, Brown worked hard to secure new signings to improve squad depth. [[Craig Fagan]] returned from [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] for his third stint with Hull,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7486205.stm|title=Fagan returns to Hull from Derby|work=BBC Sport|date=2 July 2008|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref> whilst former [[F.C. Barcelona|Barcelona]] midfielder [[Geovanni]] arrived from [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/3779464/hull-seal-geovanni-deal|title=Hull seal Geovanni deal|work=Sky Sports|date=5 July 2008|accessdate=28 April 2025}}</ref> Furthermore, three internationals joined the club, namely [[George Boateng]], [[Péter Halmosi]], and [[Bernard Mendy]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7506630.stm|title=Hull clinch triple transfer swoop|work=BBC Sport|date=16 July 2008|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7465877.stm|title=Hull seal deal for defender Mendy|work=BBC Sport|date=11 July 2008|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref> Loans were also agreed for a number of players. [[Marlon King]] and [[Paul McShane (footballer)|Paul McShane]] became Tigers for the season,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7560863.stm|title=King completes loan move to Hull|work=BBC Sport|date=14 August 2008|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7589894.stm|title=Hull bag defender McShane on loan|work=BBC Sport|date=30 August 2008|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref> whilst deals for [[Anthony Gardner]] and [[Kamil Zayatte]] were both made permanent during the campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7560398.stm|title=Hull make Gardner record signing|work=BBC Sport|date=14 August 2008|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref><ref>}{{cite news|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7670353.stm|title=Hull City agree fee for Zayatte|work=BBC Sport|date=14 October 2008|accessdate=28 April 2025}}</ref> [[Daniel Cousin]] was the last major incoming transfer of the window, signing from [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] on 11 September 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/7591851.stm|title=Striker Cousin makes Hull switch|work=BBC Sport|date=11 September 2008|access-date=28 April 2025}}</ref>

Despite their strong transfer business, Hull were seen by many as a firm candidate for relegation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/3961435/2008-09-predictions|title=2008/09 predictions
|work=[[Sky Sports]]|date=13 August 2008|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> However, on 16 August 2008, the Tigers achieved a 2–1 home victory over [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] on the opening day.<ref name="Fulham">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7551167.stm|title=Hull City 2–1 Fulham|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=16 August 2008|access-date=20 August 2023}}</ref> Having gone 1–0 down inside 10 minutes, new signing Geovanni scored Hull's first goal ever in the top-flight to equalise, curling a low shot beyond [[Mark Schwarzer]] from outside the box. [[Caleb Folan]] then won the match late on, after Fagan capitalised on a defensive mistake from [[Paul Konchesky]].<ref name="Fulham"/> The [[Premier League]] debutants then went on an impressive run into the early autumn, losing only one of their first nine games. This period included shock away wins over both [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7626886.stm|title=Arsenal 1–2 Hull|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=27 September 2008|access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref> and [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7639500.stm|title=Tottenham 0–1 Hull|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=5 October 2008|access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref> In addition, after a 3–0 win away to [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7674094.stm|title=West Brom 0–3 Hull|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=25 October 2008|access-date=24 March 2025}}</ref> Hull temporarily found themselves joint-second in the table, level on points with [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and only three more behind [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.premierleague.com/matchweek/637/table|title=Matchweek 9 Table|work=[[Premier League]]|accessdate=24 March 2025}}</ref> The Tigers had initially appeared to prove their doubters wrong, only to win just twice more all season.<ref name="BrownComments">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8066370.stm|title=Hull deserved to stay up – Brown|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=25 May 2009|access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref> However, after a 1–0 home loss to [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] on the final day,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8048308.stm|title=Hull 0–1 Man Utd|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=24 May 2009|access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref> Hull escaped relegation thanks to other results going in their favour.<ref name="BrownComments"/>

On 29 October 2009, chairman [[Paul Duffen]] resigned from his position, likely due to off-the-pitch constraints and having lost the backing of the board.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/oct/29/hull-city-paul-duffen-chairman-resign-football|title=Paul Duffen resigns as Hull City's chairman|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=29 October 2009|accessdate=24 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8330852.stm|title=Hull chairman Duffen steps down|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=29 October 2009|access-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> His predecessor, [[Adam Pearson (sports executive)|Adam Pearson]], was reinstated to replace him on 2 November 2009.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/nov/02/hull-adam-pearson-phil-brown|title=Adam Pearson aims for Hull clear-out to help tackle debts|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=2 November 2009|accessdate=24 March 2025}}</ref> By this point, the club's performances were very reflective of their financial situation behind the scenes. At the time of Pearson's return, Hull were sat 19th and with the worst goal difference of any team in the league.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/matchweek/678/table|title=Matchweek 11 Table|work=[[Premier League]]|accessdate=24 March 2025}}</ref> Very little had changed by 15 March 2010,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/matchweek/695/table|title=Matchweek 28 Table|work=[[Premier League]]|accessdate=24 March 2025}}</ref> the day manager [[Phil Brown (footballer, born 1959)|Phil Brown]] was put on [[gardening leave]] after a run of four straight defeats.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/8567985.stm|title=Hull City relieve manager Phil Brown of his duties|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=15 March 2010|access-date=11 July 2011}}</ref> Brown's replacement was former [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] and [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] boss [[Iain Dowie]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/8571513.stm|title=Iain Dowie confirmed as new Hull City manager|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=17 March 2010|access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref> who was announced as the club's "Temporary Football Management Consultant" two days later.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hull-city-iain-dowie-relegation-3967880|title=The inside story of how Hull City's 50-day gamble backfired to confirm Premier League relegation|work=[[Hull Daily Mail]]|date=20 March 2020|accessdate=24 March 2025}}</ref> The appointment was met with some disbelief by supporters who were hoping for a stronger and more ambitious replacement.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/mar/17/iain-dowie-hull-city-manager|title=Iain Dowie swaps the downhill for a black run at Hull|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=17 March 2010|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> Dowie could not keep the Tigers up, with relegation confirmed on 3 May 2010, after a 2–2 draw away at [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8649742.stm|title=Wigan 2–2 Hull|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=3 May 2010|access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref> Both Brown and Dowie had their contracts swiftly terminated after the season's conclusion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2066135,00.html|title=Club Statement|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=7 June 2010|accessdate=7 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314155926/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10338~2066135%2C00.html |archive-date=14 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Hull City: Dowie's been told thanks, but no thanks after poor Premier League record|url=http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/HULL-CITY-Dowie-s-told-thanks-thanks/story-11956124-detail/story.html| work=[[Hull Daily Mail]]|date=19 June 2010|accessdate=11 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503101658/http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/HULL-CITY-Dowie-s-told-thanks-thanks/story-11956124-detail/story.html|archive-date=3 May 2012}}</ref>

[[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] manager [[Nigel Pearson]] was appointed as the Tigers' next permanent manager on 29 June 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2080724,00.html|title=Tigers Name New boss|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=29 June 2010|accessdate=29 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314155950/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10338~2080724%2C00.html |archive-date=14 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Undefined-Headline/story-11972315-detail/story.html|title=Hull City: Tigers tempted Nigel Pearson with ambitious plans|work=[[Hull Daily Mail]]|date=29 June 2010|accessdate=11 July 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503101732/http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Undefined-Headline/story-11972315-detail/story.html|archive-date=3 May 2012}}</ref> With yet more financial worries as a result of relegation, Pearson was forced to be frugal in the transfer market ahead of the [[2010–11 Hull City A.F.C. season|2010–11]] campaign. A handful of free transfers were made to cover the gaps left by departing members of the first team. The highlight of these was the acquisition of West Brom midfielder [[Robert Koren]], who had just captained [[Slovenia national football team|Slovenia]] at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/8911685.stm|title=Slovenian midfielder Robert Koren joins Hull City|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=13 August 2010|access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref> On 16 December 2010, it was confirmed that [[Assem Allam]] had become the new owner of Hull City,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/9260836.stm|title=Allams complete takeover at Hull City|date=17 December 2010|work=BBC Sport|publisher=BBC|access-date=20 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217051125/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/9260836.stm|archive-date=17 December 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> having promised to pay back club debts and eliminate any possibility of financial ruin.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/19/hull-city-takeover-assem-allam|title=Hull City in talks with local businessman Assem Allam over sale|date=19 October 2010|work=The Guardian|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> This allowed Hull to spend more money in the upcoming January transfer window, which included reuniting Pearson with his star striker from his time at Leicester, [[Matty Fryatt]], who arrived for £1,200,000.<ref>{{cite news|date=1 January 2011 |url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2255391,00.html |title=City Complete Fryatt Deal |work=Hull City Official Website |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |accessdate=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723145508/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10338~2255391%2C00.html |archive-date=23 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The newly revitalised team set a new club record on 12 March 2011 with 14 away matches unbeaten, breaking a previous record held for over 50 years.<ref>{{cite news |url = https://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/9418731.stm |title = Coventry 0 – 1 Hull |work=BBC Sport |date = 12 March 2011 |access-date = 11 July 2011}}</ref> The streak was finally broken at 17 matches when [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] beat the Tigers 3–0 on the last day of the season at [[Ashton Gate (stadium)|Ashton Gate]].<ref name="Bristol City 3 - 0 Hull">{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13247134 |title = Bristol City 3 – 0 Hull |work=BBC Sport |date = 7 May 2011 |access-date = 29 September 2011}}</ref> On 15 November 2011, Nigel Pearson left the club to return to Leicester.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/15621888| title = Leicester City appoint Hull City's Nigel Pearson as boss| date = 15 November 2011|work = BBC Sport| access-date = 15 November 2011}}</ref> Former player and Hull local [[Nick Barmby]] was appointed as his successor, initially as a temporary [[Player-coach|player-manager]], but later as the full-time head coach, after retiring from professional football in January 2012.<ref name="Hull City appoint Nick Barmby as manager">{{cite news| title = Hull City appoint Nick Barmby as manager| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16484345| work = BBC Sport| date = 10 January 2012| access-date = 10 January 2012}}</ref> Barmby was sacked on 8 May 2012, after publicly criticising the club's owners in an interview.<ref>{{cite news  | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17927073  | title = Hull City sack manager Nick Barmby  | date = 8 May 2012 |work = BBC Sport  | access-date = 12 May 2012}}</ref> In the same month, the club's consultancy agreement with Adam Pearson was terminated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2755715,00.html |title=Official Statement |date=1 May 2012 |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |accessdate=1 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507233916/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10338~2755715%2C00.html |archive-date=7 May 2012 }}</ref>

On 8 June 2012, [[Steve Bruce]] was appointed the club's new permanent manager on a three-year deal,<ref>{{cite news  | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18192719  | title = Steve Bruce appointed Hull City manager on three-year deal  | date = 8 June 2012 | work = BBC Sport  | access-date = 12 June 2012}}</ref> an appointment which would prove pivotal for the club's history. Bruce began by signing experienced defender [[Abdoulaye Faye]] from [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18909702|title=Hull City sign former West Ham defender Abdoulaye Faye|date=20 July 2012|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> young winger [[Sone Aluko]] from [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18929914|title=Rangers: Former winger Sone Aluko joins Hull City|date=25 July 2012|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> and technical midfielder [[Stephen Quinn]] from [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19435787|title=Stephen Quinn and Nick Montgomery exit Sheffield United|date=31 August 2012|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> Alongside loanee [[Ahmed Elmohamady]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19428641|title=Hull City sign Sunderland's Ahmed Elmohamady on loan|date=30 August 2012|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> this quartet would be amongst the backbone of Bruce's promotion push in his first season as manager, the [[2012–13 Hull City A.F.C. season|2012–13]] campaign. After a 2–1 victory away at [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] on 21 December 2012, the Tigers found themselves in the league's top two for the first time that season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20723125|title=Derby 1–2 Hull City|date=21 December 2012|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> Loans for [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Irish]] internationals [[Robbie Brady]] and [[David Meyler]] were both made permanent in the January transfer window,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20953020|title=David Meyler and Robbie Brady complete Hull transfers|date=8 January 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> whilst striker [[Gedo (footballer)|Gedo]] was loaned in from Egyptian giants [[Al Ahly SC|Al Ahly]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21281092|title=Hull City sign Egyptian trio on loan until the end of the season|date=31 January 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> He would hit the ground running in East Yorkshire, scoring five goals in his first six games.<ref>{{soccerbase season|53425|2012|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref>

Bruce would eventually guide Hull back to the Premier League, after a nervy final day of the season at home to newly crowned league champions [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] on 13 May 2013. The Tigers came from behind to lead 2–1, before [[Nick Proschwitz]] had the chance to finish the game off with a penalty in the dying embers of the match. The German saw his effort saved by [[David Marshall (Scottish footballer)|David Marshall]], allowing the Bluebirds to spring a counter-attack. The champions then won a penalty of their own, which was duly converted by [[Nicky Maynard]]. Hull would now have to rely on their Yorkshire rivals [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] to beat third-placed [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] at [[Vicarage Road]]. A lengthy-stoppage for an injury to Watford goalkeeper [[Jonathan Bond]] meant the game in [[Hertfordshire]] was 15 minutes delayed, leaving Hull in jeopardy as they were forced to wait to find out if they had done enough for automatic promotion. With the score level at 1–1 in added time, [[Ross McCormack]] attempted to chip substitute goalkeeper [[Jack Bonham]], and thanks to Bonham mishandling the ball, it dropped into the net, securing Leeds the win and Hull a return to the top-flight in dramatic fashion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22320548|title=Hull 2 – 2 Cardiff|date=4 May 2013|work = BBC Sport|access-date=13 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22320478|title=Watford 1 – 2 Leeds United|date=4 May 2013|work = BBC Sport|access-date=13 May 2013}}</ref>

Following promotion, Bruce set about improving the squad so it was fit to compete in the Premier League. He started by making the loans of Elmohamady and [[George Boyd (footballer)|George Boyd]] permanent,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23099525|title=Ahmed Elmohamady: Hull City sign Sunderland midfielder|date=28 June 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22691495|title=Hull City: George Boyd signs two-year contract after loan spell|date=28 May 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> before signing [[Maynor Figueroa]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22935716|title=Maynor Figueroa: Hull City sign Wigan Athletic defender|date=17 June 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> [[Allan McGregor]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23146952#:~:text=Hull%20City%20have%20signed%20former,that%20everything%20is%20done%20now.|title=Allan McGregor: Hull City sign Scotland goalkeeper|date=2 July 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> and [[Tom Huddlestone]]<ref name="TH & JL">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23699608|title=Hull sign Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone & Jake Livermore|date=14 August 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> throughout the summer transfer window, among others. Furthermore, [[Jake Livermore]], who had made his [[England national football team|England]] debut the previous year, was loaned in for the entirety of the [[2013–14 Hull City A.F.C. season|2013–14]] campaign.<ref name="TH & JL"/> The Tigers began the season slowly, but there were clear signs of progress. A 3–1 home victory over title-chasing Liverpool on 1 December 2013,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25074365|title=Hull City 3–1 Liverpool|date=1 December 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> and a narrow 3–2 defeat to Manchester United a few weeks later,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25442218|title=Hull City 2–3 Manchester United|date=26 December 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> put Hull in a good position for their upcoming home fixture against Fulham. On 28 December 2013, Hull recorded their biggest-ever Premier League win, thrashing the visitors 6–0 and lifting them into 10th place.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25474691|title=Hull City 6–0 Fulham|date=28 December 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> The game is well-remembered for Huddlestone celebrating his goal (Hull's fourth), by cutting a lock of his hair for charity having promised to grow it out until his next goal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25538140|title=Tom Huddlestone cuts hair during Hull victory over Fulham|date=28 December 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> The promise had lasted two years, as Huddlestone had not scored since 20 April 2011, when playing for his old club, Tottenham Hotspur, in their 3–3 draw with arch-rivals Arsenal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/9459329.stm|title=Tottenham 3–3 Arsenal|date=20 April 2011|work=BBC Sport|access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Arsenal vs Hull City 2014-05-17.svg|thumb|right|The starting line-ups for the [[2014 FA Cup final]]]]

The Tigers' form dropped in January, losing all four of their league matches in the month. However, they beat [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25531662|title=Middlesbrough 0–2 Hull City|date=4 January 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> and later [[Southend United F.C.|Southend United]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25789061|title=Southend United 0–2 Hull City|date=25 January 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> to progress to the fifth round of the [[2013–14 FA Cup|FA Cup]]. It took two legs to defeat Championship side [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C|Brighton & Hove Albion]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26236715|title=Hull City 2–1 Brighton & Hove Albion|date=24 February 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> before a 3–0 home victory over [[Sunderland F.C.|Sunderland]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26404261|title=Hull City 3–0 Sunderland|date=9 March 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> and an entertaining 5–3 win against Sheffield United at [[Wembley Stadium]], saw Hull reach their first [[FA Cup Final|FA Cup final]] in history.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26908665|title=Hull City 5–3 Sheffield United|date=13 April 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> Meanwhile, in the league they had suffered greatly since the turn of the year. Yet, despite losing their final three games of the campaign, Bruce's side avoided relegation by four points, finishing in 16th, the club's highest-ever league finish.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27273312|title=Hull City 0–2 Everton|date=11 May 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> On 17 May 2014, Hull contested the [[2014 FA Cup final]] with Arsenal. The Gunners were the favourites heading into the game, so when [[James Chester]] broke the deadlock inside five minutes, Arsenal were stunned. [[Curtis Davies]] doubled this lead moments later, leaving the opponents on the verge of capitulation. However, manager [[Arsène Wenger]] lifted his team back off their feet and their quality eventually shone through, with [[Aaron Ramsey]] completing an incredible 3–2 comeback deep into extra-time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27354148|title=Arsenal 3–2 Hull City|date=17 May 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> Hull may have been beaten finalists, but their consolation prize was a place in the following season's [[2014–15 UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] third qualifying round. This was because cup winners Arsenal were already set to compete in the [[2014–15 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26657763|title=Premier League and Football League: Ups and downs|date=26 May 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> It would be the first time that the club competed in a major European competition.<ref name="AST 0-0 HUL">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28508325|title=AS Trenčín 0–0 Hull City|date=31 July 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=31 July 2014}}</ref>

Hull's squad would need another rebuild if it was to maintain stability in the Premier League and qualify for the group stages of the Europa League. With two signings made under Pearson leaving, the now-captain Koren<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28632485|title=Robert Koren signs for Melbourne City following Hull City release|date=3 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> and semi-prolific goalscorer Fryatt,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27764900|title=Nottingham Forest: Matt Fryatt joins but Veldwijk deal not yet done|date=10 June 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> depth was becoming a problematic issue that Bruce would need to resolve. After a successful loan spell, the first piece of business the Tigers did that summer was bringing Livermore back on a permanent deal for a reported club record fee of around £8,000,000.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27957557|title=Jake Livermore: Hull City break transfer record for midfielder|date=25 June 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> Not long after, [[Robert Snodgrass]] and [[Tom Ince]] arrived from [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] and [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] respectively.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28040408|title=Robert Snodgrass: Hull City sign Scotland midfielder from Norwich
|date=30 June 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28203490|title=Tom Ince: Hull City sign Blackpool winger on two-year deal|date=7 July 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> Then, the double signing of [[Harry Maguire]] and [[Andrew Robertson]] was announced on 29 July 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28545303|title=Hull City sign defenders Andrew Robertson and Harry Maguire|date=29 July 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> Two days later, Hull made their debut in European football, a 0–0 draw away to Slovakian side [[AS Trenčín]].<ref name="AST 0-0 HUL"/> The home leg saw their first European victory, a 2–1 win on 7 August 2014. Goals from Elmohamady and Aluko were enough to advance to the final play-off round.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28604686|title=Hull City 2–1 AS Trenčín|date=7 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=17 June 2015}}</ref> There, they were drawn against Belgian club [[K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen|K.S.C. Lokeren]]. However, after a 1–0 defeat in the first leg,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28878317|title=KSC Lokeren 1–0 Hull City|date=21 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=17 June 2015}}</ref> a 2–1 win at home was not enough to progress due to the [[away goals rule]], and Hull were eliminated from the competition.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28945696|title=Hull City 2–1 KSC Lokeren (agg 2–2)|date=28 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=20 August 2023}}</ref>

At the end of the summer the Tigers made a flurry of new signings and loan deals. Defender [[Michael Dawson (footballer)|Michael Dawson]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28922020|title=Michael Dawson: Hull sign Tottenham defender|date=26 August 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguayan]] international [[Abel Hernández]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29017830|title=Transfer deadline day: Abel Hernandez joins Hull in £10m deal|date=2 September 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> and midfielder [[Mohamed Diamé]]<ref name="Diame, Ramirez, Ben Arfa">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29016533|title=Transfer deadline day: Hull sign Gaston Ramirez and Mo Diame|date=2 September 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> all arrived permanently in the last week of the window. Furthermore, Premier League talents [[Gastón Ramírez]] and [[Hatem Ben Arfa]] both arrived on loan.<ref name="Diame, Ramirez, Ben Arfa"/> Although Hull had not been a success in Europe, they had started well back on home soil, being ninth place in the league after their goalless away draw with Liverpool on 25 October 2014.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29670447|title=Liverpool 0–0 Hull City|date=25 October 2014|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> However, by the time Bruce signed his second three-year deal with the club on 11 March 2015, they had dropped to 15th and were just sat above a relegation dogfight.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31870162|title=Steve Bruce confirms signing new three-year deal with Hull City|date=13 March 2015|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 March 2015}}</ref> The situation soon became uncomfortable and Hull slipped into the relegation zone, before having their fate sealed on the final day after drawing 0–0 at home to Manchester United, with other results failing to go their way.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32770866|title=Hull City 0–0 Manchester United|date=24 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref>

Bruce stayed in spite of relegation and largely managed to keep the same squad going into the [[2015–16 Hull City A.F.C. season|2015–16]] season. After the 2–0 victory away at [[Brentford F.C.|Brentford]] on 3 November 2015, Hull found themselves atop of the Championship table.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34644748|title=Brentford 0–2 Hull City|date=3 November 2015|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> This came a week after their [[2015–16 Football League Cup|League Cup]] penalty-shootout win over eventual Premier League champions Leicester City,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35988673|title=Leicester City win Premier League title after Tottenham draw at Chelsea|date=2 May 2016|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> which took the Tigers to their first-ever quarter-final appearance in the competition.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/bruce-delighted-to-take-tigers-through-2769313.aspx | title = Bruce Delighted To Take Tigers Through | publisher = Hull City A.F.C. | date = 27 October 2015 | accessdate = 27 October 2015 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208194324/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/bruce-delighted-to-take-tigers-through-2769313.aspx | archive-date = 8 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34578000 | title = Hull 1–1 Leicester | date = 27 October 2015 |work = BBC Sport | access-date = 27 October 2015}}</ref> That appearance, on 1 December 2015, saw [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] beat Hull 4–1 at the [[City of Manchester Stadium|Etihad Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34907256#:~:text=Manchester%20City%20reached%20the%20League,a%20rebound%20off%20the%20post.|title=Manchester City 4–1 Hull City|date=1 December 2015|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> Coincidentally, the Citizens would go on to win the cup later that season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35624164|title=Liverpool 1–1 Manchester City (pens 1–3)|date=|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> Hull would also taste glory in the 2015–16 campaign, overcoming [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] 3–2 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the [[2016 Football League play-offs|Championship play-offs]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36253545#:~:text=But%20Hull%20held%20off%20relentless,straight%20season%20in%20the%20Championship.|title=Hull City 0–2 Derby County (3–2 agg)|date=17 May 2016|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref> In the final, on 28 May 2016, a long-range effort from Diamé was enough to beat [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]], securing the Tigers an immediate return to the top-flight.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hull City 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36348885 |accessdate=23 July 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 May 2016}}</ref>

=== Supporter unrest and steady decline (2016–2020) ===
On 22 July 2016, Bruce resigned from his position as manager due to an alleged rift with the club's owners and [[Mike Phelan]] was appointed interim manager.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36868495|title=Steve Bruce: Hull City manager leaves newly promoted club|date=22 July 2016|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/2016-17/club-statement-3201375.aspx|title= Club Statement|date= 22 July 2016|publisher = Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate = 23 July 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160818014407/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/2016-17/club-statement-3201375.aspx|archive-date  = 18 August 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref> Steve Bruce's four-year tenure as Hull City manager was one of the most successful in the Tigers’ history, as his team achieved two promotions to the Premier League, including the club's highest-ever league finish, as well as an FA Cup final and European football. By the summer of 2016, supporters had already become frustrated and disillusioned with the Allam family's ownership of the club,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/apr/26/steve-bruce-hull-city-fans-protest-assem-allam|title=Steve Bruce asks Hull City fans not to protest against Assem Allam|date=26 April 2016|work= The Guardian|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> mainly due to the failed suggestion for the club to be rebranded as ''[[#Name change|Hull Tigers]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24920893|title=Hull City: Tigers chairman dismisses fans' protests|date=12 November 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=18 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33483016|title=Hull City lose FA vote to change name to Tigers for the second time|date=11 July 2015|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=11 July 2015}}</ref>

Fans' desires for the club to be sold only increased after Bruce's resignation, and worries about the upcoming season were made more apparent by the fact that there had been no new first team signings since promotion. It was that point in particular that garnered the attention of [[social media]] and national news outlets after nine of the 13 remaining fit senior players at the club jokingly posed for a squad photo whilst on their pre-season tour of [[Austria]].<ref name="HDM 2016 Photo">{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city-austria-inside-story-4083804|title=Inside Hull City's chaotic Austria tour: No manager, 13 senior players and THAT infamous team picture|date=28 April 2020|work=Hull Daily Mail|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> At the time of the photo, Diamé, who had scored Hull's promotion-winning goal just over two months earlier, had left the club to join [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36967079|title=Newcastle United sign Mohamed Diame and Ciaran Clark|date=3 August 2024|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> whilst a permanent replacement for Bruce was still yet to be found.<ref name="HDM 2016 Photo"/><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/aug/11/hull-city-worst-ever-premier-league-pre-season|title=Have Hull City suffered the worst-ever Premier League pre-season?|date=11 August 2016|work=The Guardian|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> An approach for [[Wales national football team|Wales]] boss [[Chris Coleman (footballer)|Chris Coleman]] had reportedly been made, in response to him guiding his nation to the semi-finals of [[UEFA Euro 2016|Euro 2016]] earlier that summer,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36932257|title=Hull City: Chris Coleman in frame to succeed Steve Bruce as Tigers boss|date=30 July 2016|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> however, this was abruptly blocked by the [[Football Association of Wales|Welsh FA]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36954978|title=Chris Coleman: FAW rejects Hull City's approach for Wales manager|date=2 August 2016|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/02/hull-city-approach-chris-coleman-rejected-welsh-fa|title=Hull City's approach for Chris Coleman rejected by Welsh FA|date=2 August 2016|work=The Guardian|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Leicester Line (28337204214).jpg|thumb|right|Hull City 2–1 [[Leicester City]], 2016]]

By the time the [[2016–17 Hull City A.F.C. season|2016–17]] season was underway, Phelan was still in charge as interim manager. Despite low attendances at home games in protest of the Allams' ownership,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/furious-hull-fans-plan-protests-8553135|title=Furious Hull fans plan protests on opening day of the Premier League season as summer of discontent continues|date=3 August 2016|publisher=The Mirror|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> on-pitch results were surprisingly good considering the club's uncomfortable situation. This was highlighted by an unlikely opening day 2–1 win at home to [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]], the reigning Premier League champions at the time.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36994520|title = Hull City 2–1 Leicester City|date = 13 August 2016|work=BBC Sport| accessdate = 20 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/pre-season-shambles-premier-league-8623933|title=From pre-season shambles to Premier League table toppers – how managerless Hull City upset champions Leicester|date=13 August 2016|publisher=The Mirror|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> Although good results continued until September, Hull's form drastically dipped. Despite this, on 13 October 2016, Phelan became Hull's permanent head coach, but was sacked less than 3 months later, on 3 January 2017, after little improvement.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37644253|title = Hull City: Mike Phelan named full-time head coach|date = 13 October 2016|work=BBC Sport| accessdate = 13 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="BBC Sport">{{cite news|url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38503364|work=BBC Sport|title = Struggling Hull Sack Manager Phelan|date = 3 January 2017|accessdate = 3 January 2017}}</ref> Two days later, [[Marco Silva]] was appointed as the club's new manager,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/2016-17/tigers-appoint-marco-silva-as-new-head-coach-3502300.aspx|title = Tigers Appoint Marco Silva As New Head Coach|date  = 5 January 2017|publisher = Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate = 5 January 2017|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170106012013/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/2016-17/tigers-appoint-marco-silva-as-new-head-coach-3502300.aspx|archive-date = 6 January 2017|url-status = dead}}</ref> but he was unable prevent relegation at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39833968|title=Crystal Palace 4–0 Hull City|date=14 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref>

Following relegation Silva resigned,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40043130#:~:text=Marco%20Silva%20has%20resigned%20as,the%20drop%20to%20the%20Championship.|title=Marco Silva: Hull City manager resigns after the club's relegation|date=25 May 2017|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> and on 9 June 2017, the club announced [[Leonid Slutsky (football coach)|Leonid Slutsky]] as the new head coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/2016-17/tigers-confirm-leonid-slutsky-as-head-coach-3729610.aspx|title=Tigers Confirm Leonid Slutsky As Head Coach|date=9 June 2017|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=9 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609213513/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/2016-17/tigers-confirm-leonid-slutsky-as-head-coach-3729610.aspx|archive-date=9 June 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> He would not last long in Hull though, with the Russian leaving by mutual consent on 3 December 2017 after a poor run of results.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41888751|title=Leonid Slutsky: Hull City's Russian manager leaves after six months in charge|date=3 December 2017|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/articles/2017/201718-slutsky-departs-by-mutual-consent/| title = Slutsky Departs By Mutual Consent| date = 3 December 2017| publisher = Hull City A.F.C. season| accessdate = 3 December 2017| archive-date = 3 December 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171203203426/https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/articles/2017/201718-slutsky-departs-by-mutual-consent/| url-status = dead}}</ref> He was replaced by former [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] boss [[Nigel Adkins]],<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42223717| title = Nigel Adkins: Hull City appoint former Southampton and Reading boss| date = 7 December 2017| work = BBC Sport| publisher = BBC| accessdate = 7 December 2017}}</ref> who led the team to avoid relegation and finish 18th at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43938850|title=Brentford 1–1 Hull City|date=6 May 2018|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> Despite being in the relegation zone after 19 games of the following season, the [[2018–19 Hull City A.F.C. season|2018–19]] campaign,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46270412|title=Hull City 0–0 Norwich City|date=27 November 2018|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> an upturn in form saw the Tigers finish in 13th place. However, Adkins resigned at the end of the season after rejecting a new contract.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48567210|title=Nigel Adkins: Hull City boss to leave club at end of contract|date=8 June 2019|accessdate=8 June 2019|work=BBC Sport}}</ref>

On 21 June 2019, Hull appointed [[Grant McCann]] as head coach on a one-year [[Rolling (finance)|rolling contract]].<ref name="Hull City Appoint New Head Coach">{{cite news|url=https://www.hullcitytigers.com/hull-city-appoint-new-head-coach/|title=Hull City Appoint New Head Coach|date=21 June 2019|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=21 June 2019|archive-date=21 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621191752/https://www.hullcitytigers.com/hull-city-appoint-new-head-coach/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Tigers began the [[2019–20 Hull City A.F.C. season|2019–20]] season well, finding themselves in 8th place after a 1–0 away win over [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] on 1 January 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50908503|title=Sheffield Wednesday 0–1 Hull City|work=BBC Sport|date=1 January 2020|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> However, McCann's reliance on wingers [[Jarrod Bowen]] and [[Kamil Grosicki]] would prove fatal after both were sold by the end of that month's transfer window.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51323082|title=Jarrod Bowen: West Ham sign forward from Hull on five-and-a-half year deal|date=31 January 2020|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51326544#:~:text=West%20Bromwich%20Albion%3A%20Kamil%20Grosicki%20and%20Lee%20Peltier%20join%20Baggies,-Published&text=West%20Bromwich%20Albion%20have%20signed,contract%20for%20an%20undisclosed%20fee.|title=West Bromwich Albion: Kamil Grosicki and Lee Peltier join Baggies|work=BBC Sport|date=31 January 2020|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> Bowen in particular was crucial to the team's success, having scored 16 goals in 29 games so far that campaign prior to his move to [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]].<ref>{{soccerbase season|74852|2019|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref> In a season delayed due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]], Hull lost 16 of their last 20 games, a run that included the club's joint-worst league defeat ever, when they lost [[Wigan Athletic F.C. 8–0 Hull City A.F.C.|8–0]] away at [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]].<ref name="BBCGrant-22Jul2020">{{cite news |title=Grant McCann: Hull City defiant as he looks to win over fans |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53512700 |accessdate=23 July 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="Wigan defeat">{{cite news |title=Wigan Athletic 8–0 Hull City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53316000 |accessdate=17 July 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=14 July 2020}}</ref> On 22 July 2020, after losing 3–0 away to [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]], Hull were relegated to [[EFL League One|League One]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Cardiff City 3–0 Hull City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53412702 |accessdate=23 July 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 July 2020}}</ref> It would be the first time the club had played in the third tier of English football in 15 years.<ref name="BBCGrant-22Jul2020"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Championship final day latest: West Brom, Brentford & Fulham battle for promotion |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/52970098 |accessdate=20 August 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 July 2020}}</ref>

=== Return to the Championship and new ownership (2020–present) ===
Despite relegation, McCann continued as head coach for the [[2020–21 Hull City A.F.C. season|2020–21]] season. This decision would prove successful, as Hull were promoted back to the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] at the first time of asking. After a 2–1 victory away at [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] on 24 April 2021, promotion was confirmed.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56781903|title=Lincoln City 1–2 Hull City|date=24 April 2021|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=24 April 2021}}</ref> A week later, on the final day of the campaign, a 3–1 win at home to [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] saw the Tigers crowned [[2020–21 EFL League One|League One]] champions. It was only the fourth-ever league title that the club had won, and the most recent since the victorious [[1965–66 Hull City A.F.C. season|1965–66]] Third Division campaign, 55 years prior.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56869267|title=Hull City 3–1 Wigan Athletic|date=1 May 2021|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=1 May 2021}}</ref>

On 19 January 2022, Turkish media mogul [[Acun Ilıcalı]] and his company [[Acun Medya]] completed a takeover of Hull City, ending the club's controversial 11-year ownership under the Allam family.<ref name="Club Statement">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2022/january/club-statement/|title=Club Statement|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=19 January 2022|accessdate= 19 January 2022}}</ref> On 25 January 2022, Grant McCann was sacked,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2022/january/club-statement-grant-mccann/|title=Club Statement: Grant McCann|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=25 January 2022|accessdate=25 January 2022}}</ref> but he was quickly replaced by [[Shota Arveladze]] as the new head coach two days later.<ref name="Shota Arveladze appointed new head coach">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2022/january/shota-arveladze-appointed-new-head-coach/|title=Shota Arveladze appointed new head coach|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=27 January 2022|accessdate=27 January 2022}}</ref> The former [[Georgia national football team|Georgia]] international helped Hull achieve Championship survival in the [[2021–22 Hull City A.F.C. season|2021–22]] season in relatively comfortable fashion,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61280939|title=Hull City 1–1 Nottingham Forest|work=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2022|accessdate=11 June 2022}}</ref> before he too was sacked, on 30 September 2022, after four consecutive league defeats.<ref name="Shota Arveladze: Hull City sack head coach just hours before Luton game">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63088042|title=Shota Arveladze: Hull City sack head coach just hours before Luton game|work=BBC Sport|date=30 September 2022|accessdate=30 September 2022}}</ref>

On 3 November 2022, the club announced former player, [[Liam Rosenior]], as head coach, on a two-and-a-half-year deal.<ref name="Rosenior appointed new head coach">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2022/november/rosenior-appointed-new-head-coach/|title=Rosenior appointed new head coach|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=3 November 2022|accessdate=3 November 2022}}</ref> Having strengthened both the team's defensive record and the team's away record since his arrival, Rosenior guided Hull to a 15th-placed finish at the end of the [[2022–23 Hull City A.F.C. season|2022–23]] season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65445642|title=Luton Town 0–0 Hull City|work=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2023|accessdate=8 May 2023}}</ref> Despite Rosenior overseeing a very positive [[2023–24 Hull City A.F.C. season|2023–24]] campaign, one where he was nominated for the EFL Championship Manager of the Season award<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.efl.com/news/2024/april/03/efl-awards-2024--shortlists-revealed/|title=EFL Awards 2024: Shortlists revealed|work=EFL|date=3 April 2024|accessdate=23 May 2024}}</ref> and had brought the Tigers within three points of a play-off place, he was sacked on 7 May 2024.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cz7420r56d4o|title=Hull sack boss Rosenior after not making play-offs|work=BBC Sport|date=7 May 2024|accessdate=23 May 2024}}</ref> Owner Ilıcalı swiftly explained that Rosenior had been dismissed on good terms and that the departure was due to a difference in "football philosophy", with the Englishman unwilling to play the aggressive attacking style that Ilıcalı was demanding.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crgyx2ne089o|title=Hull City: Owner Acun Ilıcalı explains Liam Rosenior sacking|work=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2024|accessdate=8 May 2024}}</ref>

With Rosenior sacked, much of the previous season's playing squad left. Among these, young talents [[Jacob Greaves]] and [[Jaden Philogene]] were now considered ready for the [[Premier League]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c8vdeg99529o|title=Jacob Greaves 'ticks a lot of boxes'|date=12 July 2024|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=10 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4ng6e1j4r0o|title=Toffees target Philogene set to join Ipswich|date=9 July 2024|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=10 August 2024}}</ref> and were soon bought by [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c1vdx411vdzo|title=Ipswich sign Hull City defender Greaves|date=12 July 2024|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=10 August 2024}}</ref> and [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce586ek0nmyo|title=Winger Philogene returns to Villa from Hull|date=19 July 2024|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=10 August 2024}}</ref> respectively. Other notable losses were the end of loans for [[Fábio Carvalho (footballer, born 2002)|Fábio Carvalho]], [[Liam Delap]], and [[Tyler Morton]],<ref name="Departing players">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/may/18/thank-you-to-departing-players-/|title=Thank You to Departing Players|date=18 May 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=10 August 2024}}</ref> whilst cult hero [[Ozan Tufan]] returned to his native [[Turkey]] with [[Trabzonspor]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce7810j89xyo|title=Trabzonspor sign Hull City forward Tufan|date=27 June 2024|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=10 August 2024}}</ref> [[Greg Docherty]] and [[Matt Ingram]], both key members of the squad who won promotion from [[EFL League One|League One]] in 2021, also left.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/clmyrlygmm7o|title=Docherty joins Charlton on three-year deal|date=5 July 2024|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=10 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cyr7m0j50gxo|title=Ingram joins Oxford from Championship rivals Hull|work=BBC Sport|date=19 July 2024|accessdate=10 August 2024}}</ref>

During this period of transition, [[Tim Walter]] was appointed as Rosenior's replacement, beginning his new role on 1 July 2024.<ref name="Walter signed">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/may/31/walter-appointed-new-head-coach/|title=Walter appointed new head coach|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=31 May 2024|accessdate=31 May 2024}}</ref> However, he was removed from his post on 27 November 2024, after enduring a league run of four straight defeats and nine games without a win.<ref name="Walter sacked">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/november/27/club-statement--tim-walter/|title=Club Statement: Tim Walter|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=27 November 2024|accessdate=27 November 2024}}</ref> At the time, Hull were 22nd in the Championship, sat just inside the relegation zone.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tim Walter: Hull City sack boss after 17 league games|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c170nlp8wnko|accessdate=29 November 2024|work=BBC Sport|date= 27 November 2024}}</ref> On 6 December 2024, [[Rubén Sellés]] was appointed as head coach of the club on a two-and-a-half-year deal, taking up his new role on 9 December.<ref name="Sellés appointed new head coach">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/december/06/selles-appointed-new-head-coach/|title=Sellés appointed new head coach|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=6 December 2024|accessdate=6 December 2024}}</ref> Sellés was able to stave off relegation after a final day 1–1 draw away at [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]], but it did not save his job.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cd02mrpkd4xt|title=Portsmouth 1-1 Hull|work=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2025|accessdate=25 June 2025}}</ref> He was dismissed on 15 May 2025,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/may/15/club-statement-ruben-selles/|title=Club Statement: Rubén Sellés|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=15 May 2025|accessdate=25 June 2025}}</ref> before being replaced by Bosnian coach [[Sergej Jakirović]] on 11 June.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/june/11/jakirovic-appointed-new-head-coach/|title=Jakirović appointed new Head Coach|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=11 June 2025|accessdate=25 June 2025}}</ref>

== Identity ==
=== Club colours ===
{{Football kit box |
  align      = right |
  pattern_la = |
  pattern_b  = _collarblack_laced |
  pattern_ra = |
  pattern_sh = |
  pattern_so = _blacktop |
  leftarm    = FFAA00 |
  body       = FFAA00 |
  rightarm   = FFAA00 |
  shorts     = 000000 |
  socks      = FFAA00 |
  title      = Traditional home colours
}}
{{Football kit box |
  align      = right |
  pattern_la = |
  pattern_b  = _collarwhite_laced |
  pattern_ra = |
  pattern_sh = |
  pattern_so = _hoops_blue |
  leftarm    = 0040FF |
  body       = 0040FF |
  rightarm   = 0040FF |
  shorts     = FFFFFF |
  socks      = FFFFFF |
  title      = [[1935–36 in English football|1935–36]] home colours
}}
{{Football kit box |
  align      = right |
  pattern_la = |
  pattern_b  = _collarwhite_laced |
  pattern_ra = |
  pattern_sh = |
  pattern_so = |
  leftarm    = 6FC2E2 |
  body       = 6FC2E2 |
  rightarm   = 6FC2E2 |
  shorts     = FFFFFF |
  socks      = 000000 |
  title      = [[1946–47 in English football|1946–47]] home colours
}}

''Sources'':<ref name="History Of The Tigers"/><ref name="Hull City Historical Football Kits"/><ref name="Kitted Out">{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/april/11/kitted-out/|title=Kitted Out|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=11 April 2025|accessdate=12 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/ranking-the-50-best-soccer-jerseys-of-all-time|title=Ranking the 50 Best Soccer Jerseys Of All Time|work=si.com|date=7 February 2025|accessdate=12 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.90min.com/posts/6403145-50-worst-football-shirts-of-all-time|title=50 Worst Football Shirts of All Time|work=90min.com|date=8 May 2024|accessdate=12 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/september/26/1904--celebrating-120-years-of-hull-city/|title=1904: Celebrating 120 Years of Hull City|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=26 September 2024|accessdate=12 April 2025}}</ref>

Hull City's traditional home colours are black and amber. There is a prevalent myth that the club's earliest kits featured plain white shirts with black shorts and socks. In reality, the Tigers wore black and amber striped shirts, with black shorts and socks right from the very beginning. This is highlighted by [[Hull Daily Mail]] coining the club's nickname in March 1905, which came as a response to the kit colours.

Aside from design changes, only a handful of occasions have seen Hull's strip altered in the years since. White shorts were introduced in the early 1920s, before a more dramatic, wholesale change was made for the [[1935–36 in English football|1935–36]] season. Blue shirts, white shorts, and blue and white hooped socks suddenly became the club's new home kit, likely to match the civic colours of [[Kingston upon Hull]]. However, this strip was short-lived, as it was abandoned the following season for a return to black and amber.

Ahead of the restart of football after the [[World War II|Second World War]], the limited supplies of dye, thanks to rationing restrictions, left the club with little choice but to return to blue shirts, albeit they were much paler than they had been a decade before. Worn with white shorts and black socks, the kit was only used in the [[1946–47 in English football|1946–47]] season.

Although once again returning to black and amber, Hull's home shirt was slightly different in the post-war era. The Tigers' iconic stripes had been dropped in favour of plain amber shirts with minimal black trim. This was until the early 1960s, when stripes were reintroduced on a semi-regular basis. The club even debuted an all-amber strip for the [[1964–65 in English football|1964–65]] campaign, but this was unpopular amongst supporters, and consequently retired at the end of the season. In the mid-1970s, both stripes and white shorts made welcome returns.

The next notable development in Hull's home kits was the addition of red trim in the 1980s, whose duration went no further than this. Eccentric print designs became commonplace in the 1990s, and Hull's [[1992–93 Hull City A.F.C. season|1992–93]] home shirt was one of the more extreme examples. Its all-over [[Tiger#Coat|tiger-print]] design divided opinions and has since featured in lists for some of the best and worst kits of all time. In the 21st century, the club have worn all sorts of designs, although usually they are either striped black and amber shirts or simply plain amber shirts along with black shorts and socks.

In 2024, a commemorative all-black strip, with gold trim, was worn for the club's 120th anniversary, in a fixture against [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]]. Precisely 1,904 shirts were available for fan purchase, as a nod to the club's founding year.

=== Club crest ===
[[File:Hull old badge.png|120px|thumb|1998–2001 club crest]]
[[File:Hull City Crest 2014.svg|120px|thumb|2014–2019 club crest]]

''Sources'':<ref name="History Of The Tigers"/><ref name="Hull City Historical Football Kits"/><ref name="Kitted Out"/><ref>{{cite journal |last=Phillips |first=David Llewelyn |date=Spring 2015 |title=Badges and 'Crests': The Twentieth-Century Relationship Between Football and Heraldry  |url=https://www.theheraldrysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/CoA-229-Phillips-paper.pdf |journal=The Coat of Arms |volume=XI Part I |issue=229 |page=40,41,43 |doi= |accessdate=31 January 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hullcitytigers.com/hull-city-introduce-new-club-crest/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190207015832/https://www.hullcitytigers.com/hull-city-introduce-new-club-crest/|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 February 2019|title=Hull City Introduce New Club Crest|date=9 February 2019|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=8 June 2019}}</ref>

In their early history, Hull City had no crest. One was eventually introduced in the form of the three civic crowns of [[Kingston upon Hull]], which was first embroidered onto the club's shirts for the [[1935–36 in English football|1935–36]] season, matching their new, city-honouring blue and white kit colours. Their next crest was the inception of the club's first tiger head, featuring inside an amber shield for the [[1947–48 in English football|1947–48]] campaign, having returned to black and amber kits the same year.

Variations of the tiger's head were used for the next 28 years, before the club's initials, 'HCAFC', were adopted as the official crest for the upcoming [[1975–76 in English football|1975–76]] season. That same year, the now-iconic tiger's head was granted as a [[heraldic badge]] by the [[College of Arms]] to the [[English Football League]]. After four years of using the club's initials, the crest reverted to the tiger's head ahead of the [[1979–80 in English football|1979–80]] season.

The tiger's head has been used ever since, appearing in various forms and often joined by the club's name and founding year, among other features. Before the [[2014–15 Hull City A.F.C. season|2014–15]] campaign, the crest was changed to just the tiger's head and '1904' inscribed beneath it, all inside an amber shield. This crest was strongly disliked by supporters for dropping the club's name, and a supporter-led redesign began after the close of the [[2017–18 Hull City A.F.C. season|2017–18]] season. The process was finally concluded in February 2019, when a new crest was unveiled. It was used from the start of the [[2019–20 Hull City A.F.C. season|2019–20]] season.

=== Kit manufacturers ===
{{Commons|Hull City A.F.C. kits}}
[[File:Jake Livermore v Cardiff 2014.jpg|thumb|The [[2013–14 Hull City A.F.C. season|2013–14]] away kit, manufactured by [[Adidas]] and sponsored by [[Cash Converters]]]]
[[File:Robert Snodgrass Liverpool vs Hull City 2016-09-24 (cropped).jpg|thumb|The [[2016–17 Hull City A.F.C. season|2016–17]] away kit, manufactured by [[Umbro]] and sponsored by [[SportPesa]]]]
[[File:9H-CXG 737 Corendon VBY.jpg|thumb|[[Corendon Airlines]] began sponsoring the club in 2022]]
{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Manufacturer
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Period
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Europa Sports||1975–1980||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Adidas]]||1980–1982||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Admiral Sportswear|Admiral]]||1982–1988||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Matchwinner||1988–1993||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Pelada||1993–1995||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Super League||1995–1998||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|BEL}} Olympic Sports||1998–1999||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Avec Sport||1999–2001||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|BEL}} [[Patrick (sportswear)|Patrick]]||2001–2004||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Diadora]]||2004–2007||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Umbro]]||2007–2010||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Adidas]]||2010–2014||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Umbro]]||2014–2023||<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/201314-umbro-announcement-1499841.aspx
 |title       = Hull City Announce Umbro Kit Deal
 |date        = 20 April 2014
 |publisher   = Hull City A.F.C.
 |accessdate  = 21 May 2014
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://archive.today/20140521225835/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/201314-umbro-announcement-1499841.aspx
 |archive-date = 21 May 2014
}}{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=does not verify that this kit deal went on until 2023.}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Kappa (brand)|Kappa]]||2023–''Present''||<ref name="Kappa becomes new technical partner">{{cite news
 | url = https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2023/june/23/kappa-becomes-new-technical-partner/
 | title = Kappa becomes new technical partner
 | date = 23 June 2023
 | publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 | accessdate = 5 July 2023}}</ref>
|}
|}

=== Kit Sponsors ===
{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Sponsor
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Period
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Hygena]]||1983–1984||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Arrow Air]]||1984–1985||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Twydale Turkeys||1985–1987||<ref name="Kitted Out"/>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Mansfield Brewery|Mansfield Beers]]||1987–1988||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Mansfield Brewery|Riding Bitter]]||1988–1989||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Dale Farm||1989–1990||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Bonus Electrical||1990–1993||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Pepis||1993–1994||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Needler's]]||1994–1995||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[IBC Vehicles|IBC]]||1995–1997||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[University of Hull]]||1997–1999||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[IBC Vehicles|IBC]]||1999–2001||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Sportscard||2001–2002||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Bonus Electrical||2002–2007||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[KCOM Group|Karoo]]||2007–2009||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[The Tote|totesport]]|||2009–2011||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Cash Converters]]||2011–2014||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|CUR}} [[12BET]]||2014–2015||–
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} [[Flamingo Land]]||2015–2016||<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/tigers-announce-new-shirt-sponsor-2537302.aspx
 |title       = Tigers Announce New Shirt Sponsor
 |date        = 10 July 2015
 |publisher   = Hull City A.F.C.
 |accessdate  = 10 July 2015
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20150712102432/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/tigers-announce-new-shirt-sponsor-2537302.aspx
 |archive-date = 12 July 2015
}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|KEN}} [[SportPesa]]||2016–2020||<ref>{{cite news
 | url = https://www.hullcitytigers.com/hull-city-sportpesa-extend-partnership-for-further-season/
 | title = Hull City & SportPesa Extend Partnership For Further Season
 | date = 4 March 2019
 | publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 | accessdate = 4 March 2019
 | archive-date = 6 March 2019
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044239/https://www.hullcitytigers.com/hull-city-sportpesa-extend-partnership-for-further-season/
 | url-status = dead
}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|GBR}} Giacom||2020–2022||<ref>{{cite news
 | url = https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2022/june/giacom-become-training-wear-sponsor/
 | title = Giacom become training wear sponsor
 | date = 30 June 2022
 | publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 | accessdate = 30 June 2022}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Corendon Airlines]]||2022–''Present''||<ref>{{cite news
 | url = https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2022/july/corendon-airlines-become-front-of-shirt-sponsors/
 | title = Corendon Airlines become front-of-shirt sponsors
 | date = 1 July 2022
 | publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 | accessdate = 1 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
 |url = https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/july/18/hull-city-and-corendon-airlines-renew-partnership/
 |title = Hull City and Corendon Airlines renew partnership
 |date = 18 July 2025
 |publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 |accessdate = 20 July 2025}}</ref>
|}
|}

=== Grounds ===
[[File:KC Stadium.JPG|thumb|[[MKM Stadium]]]]
Hull City initially played their home games at [[rugby league]] ground, [[The Boulevard (stadium)|the Boulevard]], before briefly relocating to [[The Circle (Kingston upon Hull)|the Circle]], a local [[cricket]] ground.<ref name="History Of The Tigers"/><ref name="1904-1915: The Formative Years"/><ref name="The Boulevard">{{cite news| first = Andy| last = Beill| title = The Boulevard| url = http://www.hullcity-mad.co.uk/feat/edy3/the_boulevard_186694/index.shtml| work = Hull City Mad |publisher=Digital Sports Group| date = 6 November 2007| accessdate = 26 February 2011}}</ref> Eventually, [[Anlaby Road]] would be built to become the club's first permanent home, opening in March 1906.<ref name="Anlaby Road">{{cite news| first = Andy| last = Beill| title = Anlaby Road| url = http://www.hullcity-mad.co.uk/feat/edy3/anlaby_road_186695/index.shtml| work =Hull City Mad |publisher=Digital Sports Group| date = 6 November 2007| accessdate = 26 February 2011}}</ref> The Tigers played there until they were forced to suspend their operations in 1941 due to the [[World War II|Second World War]].<ref name="Anlaby Road"/>

When league football resumed in 1946, Hull moved into the newly built [[Boothferry Park]].<ref name="Boothferry Park"/> First planned in 1929, the stadium had seen slow development due to financial difficulty and the impact of the war on the city, particularly the [[Hull Blitz]].<ref name="A History of Boothferry Park">{{cite web| title=A History of Boothferry Park| url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/BoothferryPark/0,,10338,00.html| publisher=Hull City A.F.C.| date=27 May 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213125529/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/BoothferryPark/0%2C%2C10338%2C00.html| archive-date=13 February 2010| accessdate=11 July 2011| url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1951, [[Boothferry Park Halt railway station|Boothferry Halt]] railway station opened to serve supporters travelling to the stadium. It would ultimately close in 1986 because of safety concerns.<ref name="BP Halt">{{cite web| url=http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/boothferry_park_hull.htm| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090627090741/http://www.oldgrounds.co.uk/boothferry_park_hull.htm| archivedate=27 June 2009| title=Boothferry Park Hull City| work=Old Football Grounds| accessdate=25 July 2024}}</ref>

Boothferry Park would be the Tigers' home for 56 years before they left for the new [[MKM Stadium|KC Stadium]] in December 2002.<ref name="Boothferry Park"/> By this time, the old ground had fallen into disrepair and the [[Taylor Report]] had enforced its ruling that clubs in the top two divisions of English football must have [[all-seater stadium]]s.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6444083.stm |title=Call grows for return of terraces |first=Matt |last=Slater |date=14 March 2007 |access-date=25 July 2024 |website=BBC Sport}}</ref> Although Hull fell outside the restrictions at the time, playing in the fourth tier, it showed the club's ambition to progress.

City were joined at the new ground by [[Hull F.C.]] of the [[Super League]]. In 2006, the stadium was named "Best Ground" at the inaugural [[EFL Awards]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Prestigious Award for The KC Stadium| url = http://www.kcstadium.co.uk/newsstory.asp?id=545| accessdate = 4 September 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080108082715/http://www.kcstadium.co.uk/newsstory.asp?id=545| archive-date = 8 January 2008}}</ref> When its sponsor, the [[KCOM Group]], rebranded in 2016, the stadium was renamed to the KCOM Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hull's KC Stadium to change name to KCOM Stadium|url=http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-s-KC-Stadium-change-KCOM-Stadium/story-28962649-detail/story.html|website=[[Hull Daily Mail]]|accessdate=25 July 2024|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701200005/http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/hull-s-kc-stadium-change-kcom-stadium/story-28962649-detail/story.html|archive-date=1 July 2016}}</ref> It was again renamed in 2021, becoming the MKM Stadium when MKM Building Supplies bought the stadium's naming rights.<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/2021/june/mkm-stadium-announcement/| title = SMC & MKM Announce New Stadium Sponsorship Deal| date = 25 June 2021| publisher = Hull City A.F.C.| accessdate = 25 July 2024| archive-date = 29 June 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210629090151/https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/2021/june/mkm-stadium-announcement/| url-status = dead}}</ref>

=== Rivalries ===
[[File:Hull City supporters.jpg|thumb|right|Hull City supporters at the celebrations on the team's promotion to the Premier League in 2008]]

''Sources'':<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf|title=Rivalry Uncovered!|work=Football Fans Census|accessdate=15 July 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304004344/http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf|archive-date=4 March 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://fanbanter.co.uk/the-top-five-rivals-of-english-footballs-top-92-clubs-revealed/|title=The top five rivals of English football's top 92 clubs revealed|work=Fan Banter|date=18 October 2020 |accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/burnley-v-hull-city-15-may-1984-139669/|title=Burnley v Hull City, 15 May 1984|work=11v11.com|accessdate=23 April 2025}}</ref>

Hull City are one of very few clubs in [[Football in England|English football]] to have no clear rival. They do contest the [[Humber derby]] with both [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] and [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]], however Hull supporters tend to see [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] as bigger opponents than either of the two [[Lincolnshire]] teams. On the other hand, Leeds fans consider [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] as their main rivals, with whom they contest the [[Leeds United F.C.–Manchester United F.C. rivalry|Roses rivalry]]. Additionally, both [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]] and [[York City F.C.|York City]] fans hold unrequited beliefs that Hull are their main rivals.

Some older Hull supporters also view [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] as minor rivals. This dates back to the [[1983–84 in English football#Third Division|1983–84]] season, when the Blades won promotion at Hull's expense. The teams had ended up level on points and goal difference; however, the Tigers had scored an inferior number of goals. Furthermore, 33 of the [[South Yorkshire]] side's goals had been scored by former Hull striker [[Keith Edwards (footballer, born 1957)|Keith Edwards]]. To make matters worse, Hull had even had fate in their own hands ahead of their final game of the season away at [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]]. The match had been rescheduled due to bad weather, and so took place after the rest of the league had finished their campaigns. Knowing they had to win by more than two goals, they could only manage a 2–0 victory in front of a crowd which included a number of Sheffield United fans, and lost out on promotion in agonising fashion.

=== Fanbase ===
[[File:FA Cup Final 2014 Wembley stadium.jpg|thumb|right|Hull City supporters prior to the [[2014 FA Cup final]] against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]]]

Hull City have a handful of notable celebrity fans. Among them are decorated actors [[Tom Courtenay]] and [[Omar Sharif]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/sir-tom-courtenay-and-omar-sharif-are-off-to-support-hull-city-in-fa-cup-final-9386285.html|title=Sir Tom Courtenay and Omar Sharif are off to support Hull City in FA Cup final|work=Evening Standard|date=16 May 2014|accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref> Courtenay was born and raised in the local area,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-31477951|title=Hull-born actor Sir Tom Courtenay wins top film award|work=BBC News|date=15 February 2015|accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref> and introduced Sharif to the Tigers when the two became friends in the 1960s. Sharif would reportedly follow the team via the television at his home in [[Paris]]. If at any time he was not there and a match was being played, he would instead telephone the club's automated phoneline for score updates. The Egyptian was later awarded an honorary degree from the [[University of Hull]] in 2010. Alongside Courtenay, he also became good friends with ex-player [[Ken Wagstaff]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/google-paid-tribute-hull-city-1441810|title=Why Google has paid tribute to Hull City superfan Omar Sharif|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=10 April 2018|accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref> Coincidentally, Courtenay had previously owned a [[Dalmatian dog|Dalmatian]] named “Waggy” as a tribute to the forward.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehullstory.com/allarticles/showbiz-soccer-angus-young-exclusive|title=Showbiz soccer – The inside story of Hull’s first celebrity charity football match|work=The Hull Story|date=24 July 2023|accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref>

[[John Prescott]], who was the [[Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom]] from 1997 to 2007, became a supporter after spending most of his life in Hull.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news/john-prescott-backs-assem-allam-over-hull-city-name-change-as-tigers-future-remains-unclear-9063681.html|title=John Prescott backs Assem Allam over Hull City name change as Tigers' future remains unclear|work=The Independent|date=16 January 2015|accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref> After graduating from the University of Hull in his youth, he would go on to represent the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] in [[Kingston upon Hull East (UK Parliament constituency)|Hull East]] for nearly 40 years. Following his death in 2024, Prescott's funeral service was conducted at [[Hull Minster]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0e4xexnx4vo|title=Blair praises 'extraordinary' Prescott at funeral|work=BBC News|date=30 January 2025|accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref> [[Mark Herman]], best known for writing and directing the 2008 film ''[[The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (film)|The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas]]'', is another Hull supporter, having been born in nearby [[Bridlington]]. His schoolfriend, actor [[Henry Priestman]], is also a fan of the club. The pair have even worked together to create [[#Songs|two songs]] about the Tigers, as well as a short documentary film.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hull-city-tigers-song-duran-1982059|title=A celebrated musician, a Hollywood film director and Hull City’s chart-topping song|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=25 December 2022|accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref> [[Roy North]], an actor and television presenter who is best known for being the companion of [[Basil Brush]] between 1973 and 1976, sometimes wore the Tigers' home shirts during broadcasts to show his love for his hometown club.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hullcitykits.co.uk/2011/12/21/city-shirts-in-popular-culture/|title=City shirts in popular culture|work=hullcitykits.co.uk|date=21 December 2011|accessdate=22 August 2025}}</ref> Elsewhere in entertainment, playwright and screenwriter [[Alan Plater]] grew up locally, having been born in [[Jarrow]], and became a Hull supporter as a result.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2010/jun/25/alan-plater-obituary#:~:text=He%20was%20born%20in%20Jarrow%2C%20in%20Tyne,at%20Kingston%20high%20school%2C%20where%20Tom%20Courtenay|title=Alan Plater obituary|work=The Guardian|date=25 June 2010|accessdate=22 August 2025}}</ref> The youngest person to [[Land's End to John o' Groats|run the length of Great Britain]] is also a Hull fan. In May 2025, [[Marcus Skeet]], who reflects his loyalties in his online alias as ''The Hull Boy'', was just over 17 years old when he completed the journey in only 58 days.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74qwj80lgdo|title=Marcus goes the extra miles to set a new record|work=BBC News|date=30 May 2025|accessdate=22 August 2025}}</ref> British-American singer [[Sinitta]] began supporting Hull after being convinced to follow them through an ex-boyfriend who came from the area.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/meet-hull-citys-celebrity-supporters-from-hollywood-star-to-chart-topping-singer/|title=Meet Hull City's celebrity supporters from Hollywood star to chart-topping singer|work=Football League World|date=9 March 2024|accessdate=27 May 2025}}</ref> Another Tigers' fan from the music industry is [[Stephen Malkmus]], lead singer of the band [[Pavement (band)|Pavement]]. Malkmus, although born and raised in [[California]], adopted Hull as his team after some of his band's technical crew introduced him to their local side.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/hull-city-stephen-malkmus-praises-2361724|title=Pavement's Stephen Malkmus hails Hull City's impressive return to the Premier League|work=The Mirror|date=11 October 2013|accessdate=22 August 2025}}</ref>

Aside from celebrity fans, the club is believed to have had a [[Football hooliganism|hooligan firm]] which dates back to the 1960s. As noted by Andy Nicholls and Nick Lowles, in their book ''Hooligans: The A–L of Britain's Football Hooligan Gangs'', they were known as the [[Hull City Psychos]].<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Nicholls | first1 = Andy | author-link = Andy Nicholls | first2 = Nick |last2 = Lowles | title = Hooligans: The A–L of Britain's Football Hooligan Gangs | publisher = Milo Books | date = September 2005 | location = Wrea Green  | isbn = 1-903854-41-5 | page = 272}}</ref>

=== Songs ===
Like several other clubs around England, Hull City have adopted the 1961 [[Elvis Presley]] song "[[Can't Help Falling in Love]]" as a pre-match anthem.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportingferret.com/2021/01/25/football-songs-a-brief-introduction/|title=Football songs – a brief introduction|work=sportingferret.com|date=25 January 2021|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref> Within the stands, a popular chant of "You're getting mauled by the Tigers!" is sung by Hull supporters when the team are winning. However, this chant often faces ridicule from opposing fanbases due to its "cringeworthy" nature.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/hull-city-leeds-united-video-2376571|title=Hull City fan's shock as video mocking Leeds United supporters goes viral after 2-0 win|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=31 December 2018|accessdate=30 June 2025}}</ref>

In February 1983, amidst the club's [[1982–83 in English football|1982–83]] promotion campaign, celebrity fans [[Henry Priestman]] and [[Mark Herman]] released a song titled "The Tigers are Back". Working under the [[Pseudonym|pseudonyms]] of 'Harry Amber' and 'Mark Black' (together as 'Amber and Black'), the track featured backing vocals provided by various members of the Hull squad. This was done to help raise funds in order to pay the players' wages, as the club were suffering financially at the time. Herman reworded the song "Out of Luck" by Priestman's previous band [[Yachts (band)|Yachts]], to get the lyrics. Both the record sleeves and the records themselves contained the logo of the fictional record label 'Don Records' alongside the fictional issue number 'COL001'. These were in tribute to [[Don Robinson (British businessman)|Don Robinson]] and [[Colin Appleton]], who, at the time, were the club's chairman and manager respectively.<ref name="A&B"/>

Exactly 25 years later, during another promotion campaign, this time the [[2007–08 Hull City A.F.C. season|2007–08]] season, 'Amber and Black' (now stylised as 'Amber & Black') returned to record a new song. "The City's on Fire" released on [[Myspace|MySpace]] on 1 January 2008.<ref>{{cite web|date=1 January 2008|url=https://myspace.com/amberandblack/music/song/the-city-s-on-fire-3188434-3166768|title=Amber & Black - The City's on Fire|website=Myspace|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613054312/https://myspace.com/amberandblack/music/song/the-city-s-on-fire-3188434-3166768|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 June 2023|accessdate=13 June 2023}}</ref> It was later re-released just before the [[2014 FA Cup final]].<ref name="A&B"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Clayton|first=David|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vKM7AwAAQBAJ|title=The Hull City Miscellany|date=1 September 2012|publisher=The History Press|isbn=978-0-7524-9063-2|chapter=Record Breakers}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|title=Amber & Black – The City's On Fire (2014)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIhZKu60QQM|accessdate=13 June 2023}}</ref>

=== Name change ===
[[File:Assem Allam 1.png|thumb|right|[[Assem Allam]], owner of Hull City between 2010 and 2022]]

==== 2013: Initial application ====
In August 2013, owner Assem Allam announced that the club had re-registered as "Hull City Tigers Ltd," and that the team would be marketed as "Hull City Tigers," removing the "Association Football Club" that had been part of the name since the club's formation in 1904.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/aug/09/hull-rebranded-hull-city-tigers-name|title=Hull City to be renamed as Hull City Tigers 'to strengthen identity'
|date=9 August 2013|agency=Press Association|accessdate=18 January 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23629379|title=Hull City AFC change name to Hull City Tigers|date=9 August 2013|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=22 April 2021}}</ref> Vice-chairman [[Ehab Allam]] said "AFC" would remain on the club badge for the [[2013-14 Premier League|2013–14 season]], but  be removed after.<ref name=protest/>

In response, a Premier League spokesman said, "We have not been informed of a change in the name of the actual club. They will still be known as Hull City as far as the Premier League is concerned when results or fixtures are published."{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

According to its chairman, by 2014, the club would be further renamed "Hull Tigers," because, as he claimed, "in marketing, the shorter the name the more powerful [it is],"<ref name=id>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/sep/12/hull-city-assem-allam-premier-league|title=Assem Allam courts controversy and hands Hull City an identity crisis|date=12 September 2013|first=David|last=Conn|newspaper=The Guardian|accessdate=2 December 2013}}</ref> while "Association Football Club" made the name too long. Allam stated he dislikes the word "City", as it is too "common" and a "lousy identity", since it is associated also with other clubs, such as Leicester City, Bristol City and Manchester City.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=nothing in the next source about 'common', 'lousy identity', Bristol, Leicester, etc.}} He told [[David Conn]] of ''[[The Guardian]]'' that "in a few years many clubs will follow and change their names to something more interesting and I will have proved I am a leader,"<ref name=id/> adding that if he were the owner of Manchester City, he would change their name to "Manchester Hunter."<ref name=id/>

Allam justified the intended name change as part of his plans to create "additional sources of revenue" for the club, after [[Hull City Council]] refused to sell him the stadium [[Freehold (law)|freehold]] so he could develop, as he had stated, "a sports park" on the site.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} The council has refused to sell in order, as they stated, "to preserve the annual [[Hull Fair]] held on the adjacent car park."{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} After the collapse of the negotiations, Allam stated: "I had in mind £30&nbsp;million to spend on the infrastructure of the club, to increase the stadium by 10,000 and to have commercial activities around the stadium — cafeterias, shops, supermarkets — to have all this to create income for the club so that in the future it can be self-financing and not relying on me." He asked [[Rhetorical question|rhetorically]], "What if I dropped dead tomorrow?"{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

Supporters' groups expressed opposition to the name change. Bernard Noble, chairman of Hull City's official supporters club said he was disappointed, although he agreed that Allam had saved the club from liquidation and that it was "his club".{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} Blogger Rick Skelton called the name change "a pointless exercise" and said, "Mr Allam's assertion that the name 'Hull City' is irrelevant and too common, is as disgusting a use of the English language as his new name for the club."{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} Before the first home match of the season on 24 August 2013, a group of supporters marched in protest against the name change.<ref name=protest>{{cite news|url=http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hull-City-protesters-banner-game/story-19709067-detail/story.html|title=Hull City protesters: 'Our banner will be at every game'|first=James|last=Campbell|newspaper=Hull Daily Mail|date=26 August 2013|accessdate=18 January 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019070630/http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/Hull-City-protesters-banner-game/story-19709067-detail/story.html|archive-date=19 October 2013}}</ref> Allam dismissed complaints by fans.<ref name=dismiss>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24920893 |title=Hull City: Tigers chairman dismisses fans' protests|work= BBC Sport|date= 12 November 2013|access-date=18 January 2014}}</ref>

In a comment published on 1 December 2013 in ''[[The Independent]]'' in response to supporters' chants and banners of "City Till We Die", Allam said, "They can die as soon as they want, as long as they leave the club for the majority who just want to watch good football."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25174266|title=Hull owner Assem Allam: Critics 'can die as soon as they want'|date=1 December 2013|work=BBC Sport|access-date=2 December 2013}}</ref> The supporters responded with chants of "We're Hull City, we'll die when we want" during that day's home match against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]. Manager Steve Bruce credited the controversy for creating " a fantastic atmosphere" but added, "I have got to have a conversation with him because I don't think he quite understands what it means in terms of history and tradition."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/01/hull-city-steve-bruce-tigers-liverpool|title=Steve Bruce admits threat of rebranding makes Hull City burn bright|date=1 December 2013|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Andy|last=Hunter|accessdate=2 December 2013}}</ref> However, Bruce also said that, because of the money Allam had invested in the club, "If he thinks Hull Tigers is his way forward then we have to respect it."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/11/hull-tigers-city-steve-bruce-assem-allam|title=Hull City formally apply to FA for name change to Hull Tigers|date=11 December 2013|agency=Press Association|accessdate=13 December 2013}}</ref>

On 11 December 2013, a spokesman for Hull City announced that the club had formally applied to the [[Football Association]] to have its name changed to "Hull Tigers" from the 2014–15 season onwards.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25341248 |title=Hull City: Hull Tigers name change submitted to FA|work=BBC Sport|date=11 December 2013|accessdate=18 January 2014}}</ref> The [[FA Council]], which has "absolute discretion" in deciding whether to approve the plan or not, stated the next day that it would follow a "consultation process" with [[Stakeholder (corporate)#Applications of the term|stakeholder]]s, "including the club's supporter groups".<ref name="Conn 12122013">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/12/fa-hull-city-tigers-name-change|title=FA to consult Hull City fan groups before considering Tigers name change|first=David|last=Conn|newspaper=The Guardian|date=12 December 2013|accessdate=13 December 2013}}</ref>

==== 2014: Resistance and rejection ====
Some brand and marketing experts came out in support of the name change.<ref name=supp>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/25749335 |title=Could Assem Allam's Tigers name change benefit club?|work=BBC Sport |date= 16 January 2014|accessdate=18 January 2014}}</ref> Simon Chadwick, professor of Sport Business Strategy and Marketing at the [[Coventry University Business School]], cautiously opined that the objective of opening up lucrative new markets for shirt sales, merchandise and broadcast deals shows commercial vision and could bring benefits.<ref name=supp/> [[David Stern]], [[Commissioner of the NBA|commissioner]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] in the United States, warned: "I would say a wise owner [of a sports club] would view his ownership as something of a public trust, in addition to the profit motive, and you really do want to allow the fans a little bit more input than I think is being allowed, with respect to Hull."<ref name=supp/>

On 17 March 2014, the FA membership committee advised that the re application be rejected at the FA Council meeting on 9 April.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26618670|title=Hull City: FA set to reject name change to Hull Tigers|date=17 March 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=17 March 2014}}</ref> In response, the club published a statement saying the FA was "prejudiced", and criticised the committee's consultation with the City Till We Die opposition group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/mar/18/hull-city-fa-prejudice-tigers-name-change|title=Hull City accuse FA of 'prejudice' over bid to change name to Tigers|date=18 March 2014|agency=Press Association|accessdate=26 March 2014}}</ref> The following week, the club opened a ballot of [[Season ticket#Sports|season ticket holders]] over the name change. Opponents of the name change criticised as "loaded" the questions, which asked respondents to choose between "Yes to Hull Tigers with the Allam family continuing to lead the club", "No to Hull Tigers" and "I am not too concerned and will continue to support the club either way", on the grounds that voters were not given the option to reject the name while keeping the Allam family as owners.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-City-Tigers-ballot-Fans-group-says-loaded/story-20841707-detail/story.html|title=Hull City 'Tigers' ballot: Fans' group says 'loaded' question will skew result|date=22 March 2014|newspaper=Hull Daily Mail|accessdate=26 March 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326090044/http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/Hull-City-Tigers-ballot-Fans-group-says-loaded/story-20841707-detail/story.html|archive-date=26 March 2014}}</ref> Of 15,033 season ticket holders, 5,874 voted in all, with 2,565 voting in favour of the change and 2,517 against, while 792 chose the "not too concerned" option.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26921004|title=Hull City: Fans narrowly back Tigers name change in ballot|date=7 April 2014|work=BBC Sport|access-date=8 April 2014}}</ref>

On 9 April 2014, the FA Council announced its decision, carried by a 63.5% vote of its members, to reject the club's application for a name change.<ref name=rejects>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26960502|title=Hull City: FA Council rejects proposed name change to Tigers|work=BBC Sport|date=9 April 2014|access-date=9 April 2014}}</ref> The club's owner, Assam Allem, responded by stating it would appeal the decision.<ref name=rejects/> However, since there was no appeal process with the FA and its council, the decision was final. On 11 September 2014, Allam mentioned that an appeal against the FA's ruling was being sent to the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]]. He also held a news conference confirming the club had been put up for sale due to the English FA's decision on 9 April 2014.{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'held a news conference'?}}<ref>{{cite news
 | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29135764
 | title = Hull City: Owner Assem Allam says club put up for sale
 | date = 11 September 2014
 | work = BBC Sport
 | access-date = 11 September 2014}}</ref>

In October 2014, interviewed by the BBC, Allam confirmed that he would "not invest a penny more in the club" unless he is allowed to change the club's name to Hull Tigers.{{clarify|date=February 2024|reason=is this a quote directly from the BBC? 'not invest a penny more in the club'. but no quote marks. first line of source. not the owner? what the owner says has quote marks?}}<ref name=pennymore>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/29460187 |title=Assem Allam: Hull City owner prepared to stop spending|work=BBC Sport|date= 3 October 2014|accessdate=29 March 2014}}</ref> In the same interview, Allam said, "I have never been a football fan. I am still not a football fan. I am a community fan."<ref name=pennymore/>

==== 2015: Re-application ====
In March 2015, an independent panel appointed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that the decision of the Football Association Council to block the name change was invalidated by flaws in the process.{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=not what the source says. 'on account of the process having been flawed' is what Hull claimed before this. nothing to do with independent panel, if source is correct.}}<ref name=reapp>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/31913338 |title=Hull City told they can reapply for Tigers name change|work=BBC Sport|date= 16 March 2015|accessdate=17 March 2015}}</ref>

In July 2015, the Football Supporters Federation confirmed that a 70/30 decision was made in favour of Hull City A.F.C. not changing their name after an FA vote.<ref>{{cite news
 |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33483016
 |title = Hull City lose FA vote to change name to Tigers for the second time
 |date = 11 July 2015
 |work = BBC Sport
 |access-date = 11 July 2015}}</ref>

== Finances ==
In the club's [[annual report]] for the 12-month period up to 31 July 2009, [[auditor]]s [[Deloitte]] stated that [[Pound sterling|£]]4.4&nbsp;million had gone out of the club and stadium company to owner [[Russell Bartlett]]'s holding companies in loans, while at least £2.9&nbsp;million of it was used in the take-over itself of the club.<ref name=blo/> A further £560,000 was paid, according to the audit, by the stadium company to Bartlett's holding companies in "management fees," while at least £1&nbsp;million was owed to him personally as a "salary".<ref name=blo/> After the warning from	Deloitte, Bartlett gave the club a £4&nbsp;million loan,{{vague|date=February 2024|reason=where is there 'a £4 million loan' to the club? 'bank debt down to only £4.6m' / 'In fact, £4.4m had gone out of the club and stadium company to Bartlett's holding companies in loans' / 'Overall nearly £5m left the club to Bartlett and his companies, in two loan payments totalling £4.4m, and £560,000 in management fees.' / 'The football club themselves, still in the Championship, immediately paid out £3.2m as a loan to Bartlett's other holding company' / and so much more that suggests Bartlett did not give 'a £4&nbsp;million loan' to the club. and that the club was giving away money? this arrangement is very confusing and probably needs an expert to look at it.}}<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/david-conn-inside-sport-blog/2010/mar/31/hull-city-russell-bartlett-tigers |title = Hull City owner Russell Bartlett trades £4m loan deals with the club |first = David |last = Conn |newspaper = The Guardian | date = 31 March 2010| accessdate = 26 January 2014}}</ref> "which	brought	the money he had taken out and put in since taking over to about even."<ref name=blo/>

The [[Corporation|corporate entity]] that owns the football club, "The Hull City Association Football Club (Tigers) Ltd," is currently owned by Allamhouse Limited, a private, [[Limited liability|limited-liability]] company with a [[share capital]] of £10&nbsp;million ({{as of|2012|October|lc=y}}),{{additional citation needed|date=February 2024|reason=for 'share capital of £10&nbsp;million (as of October 2012'.}}{{failed verification|date=February 2024|reason=Allamhouse Limited is the 'corporate entity that owns the football club, The Hull City Association Football Club (Tigers) Ltd'. the source does not call it 'The Hull City Association Football Club (Tigers) Ltd'? no 'Ltd', no 'Association Football Club'... 'Tigers' is  not in parentheses. if this is different nowadays, it needs to be verified.}}<ref name=who/><ref>{{cite web| url = http://companycheck.co.uk/company/07042898 | title = Allamhouse Limited profile | work = CompanyCheck| accessdate = 26 January 2014}}</ref> registered in [[Jersey]].<ref name=blo>{{cite web | url = http://www.christianaid.org.uk/images/blowing-the-whistle-caweek-report.pdf | title = Blowing the whistle: Time's up for financial secrecy | publisher = Christian Aid | date = May 2010 | accessdate = 26 January 2014 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20100602010932/http://www.christianaid.org.uk/images/blowing-the-whistle-caweek-report.pdf | archivedate = 2 June 2010}}</ref> The [[beneficial owner]]s of Allamhouse Limited, established in 2009,<ref name=cos>{{cite web | url = http://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/ltd/allamhouse | title = Allamhouse Lts legal information | work = CompaniesInTheUK | accessdate = 26 January 2014 }}</ref> are the Allam family.<ref name=who>{{cite web | url = http://www.hullcitytigers.com/club/whos_who | title = Who's Who at the KC | publisher = Hull City A.F.C. | accessdate = 26 January 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140626074324/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/club/whos_who | archive-date = 26 June 2014 }}</ref>

On an "Opacity Score" out of 100, where zero indicates complete openness and 100 complete secrecy, the company which owns the club has been rated by [[Christian Aid]] at 87.<ref name=blo/>

Hull City's [[Bookkeeping|corporate accounts]], {{as of|2013|July|lc=y}}, showed a £25.6&nbsp;million loss, on [[revenue]]s of £11&nbsp;million, after player and management costs of "just under £23&nbsp;million."<ref name=eye/> The club has "[[Deferred tax|future tax losses]]" available of more than £45&nbsp;million.<ref name=eye/> Another Assam Allam company, Allam Marine, also wholly owned by Allamhouse Limited, revealed in its 2012 accounts that "[[Tax shelter|utilisation of tax losses]] from [[Corporate group|group]] companies" reduced its [[United Kingdom corporation tax|tax liability]] by £3.8&nbsp;million over 2011 and 2012.<ref name=eye/>

As reported,{{by whom|date=February 2024}} [[HM Revenue and Customs]] are in the process of{{when|date=February 2024}} an inquiry at Hull City AFC, as part of the British tax authorities' targeting of football clubs over "tax-free payments to players under [[image rights]]' deals and the provision of [[benefits in kind]].<ref name=eye>{{cite journal| title = Planet Football: Hull City | journal = Private Eye | issue = #1355| date = December 2013| page =33}}</ref> For Hull City AFC, the provision for benefits in kind was reported at £682,000 as of July 2011, growing to £810,000 by July 2012.<ref name=eye/>

==Players==
===Current squad===
{{updated|25 October 2025}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/teams|title=First Team|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=9 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/august/09/squad-numbers-2025-26/|title=Squad Numbers 2025/26|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=9 August 2025|accessdate=9 August 2025}}</ref>

{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=FFAF00|color=000000|border=000000}}
{{fs player |no=1  |nat=CRO |pos=GK |name=[[Ivor Pandur]]}}
{{fs player |no=2  |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Lewie Coyle]] |other={{small|[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}}}
{{fs player |no=3  |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Ryan Giles]]}}
{{fs player |no=4  |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Charlie Hughes (footballer, born 2003)|Charlie Hughes]] |other={{small|[[Captain (association football)#Vice-captain|vice-captain]]}}}}
{{fs player |no=5  |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=[[John Lundstram]] |other={{small|on loan from [[Trabzonspor]]}}}}
{{fs player |no=6  |nat=NGA |pos=DF |name=[[Semi Ajayi]]}}
{{fs player |no=7  |nat=CAN |pos=FW |name=[[Liam Millar]]}}
{{fs player |no=8  |nat=BEL |pos=MF |name=[[Eliot Matazo]]}}
{{fs player |no=9  |nat=SCO |pos=FW |name=[[Oli McBurnie]]}}
{{fs player |no=10 |nat=ALG |pos=FW |name=[[Mohamed Belloumi]]}}
{{fs player |no=11 |nat=NGA |pos=FW |name=[[David Akintola]]}}
{{fs player |no=12 |nat=ENG |pos=GK |name=[[Dillon Phillips]]}}
{{fs player |no=14 |nat=IRL |pos=MF |name=[[Harry Vaughan (footballer)|Harry Vaughan]]}}
{{fs player |no=15 |nat=IRL |pos=DF |name=[[John Egan (footballer, born 1992)|John Egan]]}}
{{fs mid|nonumber=|bg=FFAF00|color=000000|border=000000}}
{{fs player |no=18 |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Cody Drameh]]}}
{{fs player |no=19 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Joel Ndala]] |other={{small|on loan from [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]}}}}
{{fs player |no=20  |nat=BIH |pos=MF |name=[[Amir Hadžiahmetović]] |other={{small|on loan from [[Beşiktaş J.K.|Beşiktaş]]}}}}
{{fs player |no=21 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Joe Gelhardt]] |other={{small|on loan from [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]]}}}}
{{fs player |no=22 |nat=SCO |pos=FW |name=[[Kyle Joseph]]}}
{{fs player |no=23 |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Akin Famewo]]}}
{{fs player |no=24  |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=[[Darko Gyabi]]}}
{{fs player |no=25 |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=[[Matt Crooks]]}}
{{fs player |no=27 |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=[[Regan Slater]]}}
{{fs player |no=29 |nat=IRL |pos=DF |name=[[James Furlong]]}}
{{fs player |no=30 |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Brandon Williams (footballer)|Brandon Williams]]}}
{{fs player |no=39 |nat=TUR |pos=FW |name=[[Enis Destan]]}}
{{fs player |no=45 |nat=JAM |pos=MF |name=[[Kasey Palmer]]}}
{{fs end}}

====Out on loan====
{{updated|1 September 2025}}
{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=FFAF00|color=000000|border=000000}}
{{fs player |no=17 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Abu Kamara (footballer, born 2003)|Abu Kamara]]|other={{small|at [[Getafe CF|Getafe]] until 30 June 2026}}}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/september/01/kamara-completes-getafe-loan-move/|title=Kamara completes Getafe loan move|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=1 September 2025|accessdate=1 September 2025}}</ref>
{{fs player |no=32 |nat=FRA |pos=GK |name=[[Thimothée Lo-Tutala]]|other={{small|at [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] until 30 June 2026}}}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/june/16/lo-tutala-joins-doncaster-on-loan/|title=Lo-Tutala joins Doncaster on loan|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=16 June 2025|accessdate=16 June 2025}}</ref>
{{fs player |no=34 |nat=ENG |pos=GK |name=[[Harvey Cartwright]]|other={{small|at [[Hartlepool United F.C.|Hartlepool United]] until 30 June 2026}}}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/august/07/cartwright-joins-hartlepool-on-loan/|title=Cartwright joins Hartlepool on loan|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=7 August 2025|accessdate=7 August 2025}}</ref>
{{fs mid|nonumber=|bg=FFAF00|color=000000|border=000000}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Mason Burstow]]|other={{small|at [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] until 30 June 2026}}}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/july/28/burstow-joins-bolton-on-loan/|title=Burstow joins Bolton on loan|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=28 July 2025|accessdate=28 July 2025}}</ref>
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Matty Jacob]]|other={{small|at [[Reading F.C.|Reading]] until 30 June 2026}}}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/july/04/jacob-joins-reading-on-loan/|title=Jacob joins Reading on loan|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=4 July 2025|accessdate=5 July 2025}}</ref>
{{fs player |no=– |nat=TUR |pos=MF |name=[[Abdülkadir Ömür]]|other={{small|at [[Antalyaspor]] until 30 June 2026}}}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/july/26/omur-completes-loan-to-antalyaspor/|title=Ömür completes loan to Antalyaspor|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=26 July 2025|accessdate=26 July 2025}}</ref>
{{fs end}}

===Under-21s===
{{Main|Hull City A.F.C. Academy}}
{{updated|11 September 2025}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/teams/u21-team|title=Under-21s|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref>
{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=FFAF00|color=000000|border=000000}}
{{fs player |no=40 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Pharrell Brown]]}}
{{fs player |no=41 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=[[Tyrell Sellars-Fleming]]}}
{{fs player |no=43 |nat=IRL |pos=DF |name=[[Stan Ashbee]]}}
{{fs player |no=46 |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=Zane Myers}}
{{fs player |no=47 |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=Nathan Tinsdale |other={{small|[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}}}
{{fs player |no=50 |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=[[Noah Wadsworth]]}}
{{fs player |no=51 |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=Sammy Henia-Kamau}}
{{fs player |no=52 |nat=IRL |pos=FW |name=[[Hugh Parker]]}}
{{fs mid|nonumber=|bg=FFAF00|color=000000|border=000000}}
{{fs player |no=53 |nat=ENG |pos=GK |name=Callum Yam}}
{{fs player |no=54 |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=Ed Devine}}
{{fs player |no=55 |nat=ENG |pos=GK |name=Archie Howard}}
{{fs player |no=56 |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=Harry Revill}}
{{fs player |no=57 |nat=ALB |pos=MF |name=Aidon Shehu}}
{{fs player |no=58 |nat=IRL |pos=DF |name=[[Cathal McCarthy (footballer)|Cathal McCarthy]]}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=Stan Hewitt}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=BRA |pos=FW |name=[[João Mendes (footballer, born 2005)|João Mendes]]}}
{{fs end}}

As of the [[2024–25 Professional U21 Development League|2024–25]] season, Hull City's development squad compete in the [[Professional Development League|Professional Development League North Division]].<ref name="U21 fixtures">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/august/11/under-21s-2024-25-fixtures/|title=Under-21s 2024/25 Fixtures|date=11 August 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=12 August 2024}}</ref> The team's home matches are played at various grounds, including the [[MKM Stadium]], but are usually played at the [[York Community Stadium|LNER Community Stadium]] in [[York]].<ref name="U21 fixtures"/>

====Out on loan====
{{updated|8 July 2025}}
{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=FFAF00|color=000000|border=000000}}
{{fs player |no=42 |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=Rocco Coyle |other={{small|at [[Boston United F.C.|Boston United]] until 1 January 2026}}}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/july/08/rocco-coyle-joins-boston-on-loan/|title=R. Coyle joins Boston on loan|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=8 July 2025|accessdate=8 July 2025}}</ref>
{{fs end}}

===Under-18s===
{{Main|Hull City A.F.C. Academy}}
{{updated|9 August 2025}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/teams/u18-team|title=Under-18s|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=13 August 2024}}</ref>
{{fs start|nonumber=|bg=FFAF00|color=000000|border=000000}}
{{fs player |no=48 |nat=NGA |pos=DF |name=Calvin Okike}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=Ramell Carter}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=SLE |pos=DF |name=Cayden Cole}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=Ted Gode}} {{small|(1st Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=Sasha Gomeniuk}} {{small|(1st Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=POL |pos=DF |name=Oskar Gruszkowski}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=GK |name=Jack Hopper}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=WAL |pos=FW |name=Zac Jagielka}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=Charlie Leach}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=Rory Leech}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs mid|nonumber=|bg=FFAF00|color=000000|border=000000}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=Alfie Maskell}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=Albert Matique}} {{small|(1st Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=Bobby Moore}} {{small|(1st Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=Josh Ocaya}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=DF |name=Dellan Robinson}} {{small|(1st Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=Emmanuel Sarpong}} {{small|(1st Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=MF |name=Reuben Silk}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=TAN |pos=FW |name=Jack Topley}} {{small|(2nd Year)}}
{{fs player |no=– |nat=ENG |pos=FW |name=Ekemini Umoren}} {{small|(1st Year)}}
{{fs end}}

===Captaincy history===

Below is a list of all the official club captains Hull City has had since the [[1997-98 Hull City A.F.C. season|1997-98]] season. Temporary captains are not included in the list.

{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Name
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Nation
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Tenure
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="left"|[[Gregor Rioch]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||July 1997 – July 1998||<ref name="Rioch"/>
|-
|align="left"|[[David D'Auria]]||{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Football Association of Wales|WAL]]||July 1998 – November 1999||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/7961487.football-york-city-1-hull-city-1/|title=Football: York City 1, Hull City 1|work=York Press|date=25 October 1999|accessdate=20 May 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Justin Whittle]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||November 1999 – July 2003||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/759-justin-whittle/|title=759 Justin Whittle|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=20 May 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Ian Ashbee]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||July 2003 – January 2011||<ref name="Captains">{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hull-citys-captains-premier-league-3970493|title=Hull City's captains of the Premier League era analysed ahead of Match of the Day special|date=21 March 2020|work=Hull Daily Mail|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Andy Dawson]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||January 2011 – July 2011||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2011/02/browns-return-ends-in-disappointing-defeat-for-pne/|title=Brown's return ends in disappointing defeat for PNE|date=12 February 2011|publisher=Blog Preston|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Jack Hobbs (footballer)|Jack Hobbs]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||August 2011 – July 2012||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/october/20/double-agents-jack-hobbs/|title=Double Agents: Jack Hobbs|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=20 October 2025|accessdate=26 October 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Robert Koren]]||{{flagicon|SVN}} [[Football Association of Slovenia|SVN]]||July 2012 – May 2014||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/robert-koren-hull-city-wba-3517623|title=Promotion-winning captain Robert Koren lifts the lid on his four 'special' years with Hull City|date=8 November 2019|work=Hull Daily Mail|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|}
|
{| class="wikitable alternance"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Name
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Nation
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Tenure
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="left"|[[Curtis Davies]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|July 2014 – July 2015||align="center"|<ref name="Captains"/>
|-
|align="left"|[[Michael Dawson (footballer)|Michael Dawson]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|August 2015 – July 2018||align="center"|<ref name="Captains"/>
|-
|align="left"|[[Markus Henriksen]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|NOR}} [[Norwegian Football Federation|NOR]]||align="center"|August 2018 – July 2019||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hullcitytigers.com/henriksen-honoured-to-be-named-captain/|title=Henriksen honoured to be named captain|date=1 August 2018|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701181125/https://www.hullcitytigers.com/henriksen-honoured-to-be-named-captain/|accessdate=3 September 2023|archive-date=1 July 2019}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Eric Lichaj]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|USA}} [[United States Soccer Federation|USA]]||align="center"|July 2019 – June 2020||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|title=Markus Henriksen stood down as Hull City captain as Grant McCann reveals new skipper|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/markus-henriksen-hull-city-captain-3132692|date=25 July 2019|work=Hull Daily Mail|accessdate=3 September 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Jordy de Wijs]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|NED}} [[Royal Dutch Football Association|NED]]||align="center"|June 2020 – August 2020||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|title=Grant McCann reveals why he has picked Jordy de Wijs as City captain|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/jordy-de-wijs-city-captain-4245194|date=20 June 2020|work=Hull Daily Mail|accessdate=3 September 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Richard Smallwood (footballer)|Richie Smallwood]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|August 2020 – June 2022||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|title=Hull City release captain Richard Smallwood|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61484797|date=18 May 2022|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Lewie Coyle]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|July 2022 – ''Present''||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2022/july/coyle-appointed-club-captain/|title=Coyle appointed club captain|date=28 July 2022|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=3 September 2023}}</ref>
|}
|}

===Player of the Year===

Below is a list of all the recipients of Hull City's Player of the Year award since the [[1974–75 in English football|1974–75]] season.

{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable alternance"  style="text-align: center;"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Name
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Nation
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Season
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="left"|[[Malcolm Lord]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1974–75 in English football|1974–75]]||–
|-
|align="left"|[[Dave Roberts (Welsh footballer)|Dave Roberts]]||{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Football Association of Wales|WAL]]||[[1975–76 in English football|1975–76]]||–
|-
|align="left"|N/A{{efn|There is no record of a Player of the Year award for the 1976–77 season}}||–||[[1976–77 in English football|1976–77]]||–
|-
|align="left"|[[Gordon Nisbet]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1977–78 in English football|1977–78]]||<ref name="Nisbet POTY">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/may/20/your-winner-is-gordon-nisbet/|title=Your winner is... Gordon Nisbet|date=20 May 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=9 May 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Gordon Nisbet]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1978–79 in English football|1978–79]]||<ref name="Nisbet POTY"/>
|-
|align="left"|[[Keith Edwards (footballer, born 1957)|Keith Edwards]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1979–80 in English football|1979–80]]||–
|-
|align="left"|[[Garreth Roberts]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1980–81 in English football|1980–81]]||<ref name="Roberts POTY">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2021/december/garreth-roberts-to-be-inducted-into-the-hull-city-hall-of-fame/|title=Garreth Roberts to be inducted into the Hull City Hall Of Fame|date=31 December 2021|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=9 May 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Les Mutrie]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1981–82 in English football|1981–82]]||–
|-
|align="left"|[[Peter Skipper]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1982–83 in English football|1982–83]]||–
|-
|align="left"|[[Garreth Roberts]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1983–84 in English football|1983–84]]||<ref name="Roberts POTY"/>
|-
|align="left"|[[Billy Whitehurst]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1984–85 in English football|1984–85]]||–
|-
|align="left"|N/A{{efn|There is no record of a Player of the Year award for the 1985–86 season}}||–||[[1985–86 in English football|1985–86]]||–
|-
|align="left"|[[Richard Jobson (footballer)|Richard Jobson]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1986–87 in English football|1986–87]]||–
|-
|align="left"|N/A{{efn|There is no record of a Player of the Year award for the 1987–88 season}}||–||[[1987–88 in English football|1987–88]]||–
|-
|align="left"|[[Wayne Jacobs]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1988–89 in English football|1988–89]]||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/may/22/your-winner-is-wayne-jacobs/|title=Your winner is... Wayne Jacobs|date=22 May 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=22 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Andy Payton]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1989–90 Hull City A.F.C. season|1989–90]]||–
|-
|align="left"|[[Andy Payton]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||[[1990–91 Hull City A.F.C. season|1990–91]]||–
|}
|
{| class="wikitable alternance"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Name
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Nation
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Season
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="left"|[[Alan Fettis]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|NIR}} [[Irish Football Association|NIR]]||align="center"|[[1991–92 Hull City A.F.C. season|1991–92]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/august/22/double-agents-alan-fettis/|title=
Double Agents: Alan Fettis|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=22 August 2025|accessdate=22 August 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Dave Norton]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[1992–93 Hull City A.F.C. season|1992–93]]||align="center"|–
|-
|align="left"|[[Dean Windass]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[1993–94 Hull City A.F.C. season|1993–94]]||align="center"|–
|-
|align="left"|[[Rob Dewhurst]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[1994–95 Hull City A.F.C. season|1994–95]]||align="center"|–
|-
|align="left"|[[Roy Carroll]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|NIR}} [[Irish Football Association|NIR]]||align="center"|[[1995–96 Hull City A.F.C. season|1995–96]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/june/13/hull-city-at-the-euros/|title=Hull City at the Euros|date=13 June 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=22 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Duane Darby]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[1996–97 Hull City A.F.C. season|1996–97]]||align="center"|–
|-
|align="left"|[[Warren Joyce]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[1997–98 Hull City A.F.C. season|1997–98]]||align="center"|–
|-
|align="left"|[[Justin Whittle]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[1998–99 Hull City A.F.C. season|1998–99]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/may/24/your-winner-is-justin-whittle/|title=Your winner is... Justin Whittle|date=24 May 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Mark Greaves]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[1999–2000 Hull City A.F.C. season|1999–00]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hullcity-mad.co.uk/news/tmnw/greaves_goes_59336/index.shtml|title=Greaves Goes|date=27 August 2002|publisher=Hull City Mad|accessdate=1 April 2014}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Ian Goodison]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|JAM}} [[Jamaica Football Federation|JAM]]||align="center"|[[2000–01 Hull City A.F.C. season|2000–01]]||align="center"|<ref name="Jamaica"/>
|-
|align="left"|[[Gary Alexander (footballer)|Gary Alexander]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2001–02 Hull City A.F.C. season|2001–02]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/january/27/shared-shirts-gary-alexander/|title=Shared Shirts: Gary Alexander|date=27 January 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Stuart Elliott (footballer, born 1978)|Stuart Elliott]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|NIR}} [[Irish Football Association|NIR]]||align="center"|[[2002–03 Hull City A.F.C. season|2002–03]]||align="center"|<ref name="Elliott POTY">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2023/december/14/hull-city-hall-of-fame-2023--who-s-next-/|title=Hull City Hall Of Fame 2023: Who's Next?|date=14 December 2023|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Damien Delaney]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Football Association of Ireland|IRL]]||align="center"|[[2003–04 Hull City A.F.C. season|2003–04]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/may/26/your-winner-is-damien-delaney/|title=Your winner is... Damien Delaney|date=26 May 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Stuart Elliott (footballer, born 1978)|Stuart Elliott]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|NIR}} [[Irish Football Association|NIR]]||align="center"|[[2004–05 Hull City A.F.C. season|2004–05]]||align="center"|<ref name="Elliott POTY"/>
|-
|align="left"|[[Boaz Myhill]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Football Association of Wales|WAL]]||align="center"|[[2005–06 Hull City A.F.C. season|2005–06]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/may/28/your-winner-is-boaz-myhill/|title=Your winner is... Boaz Myhill|date=28 May 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Andy Dawson]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2006–07 Hull City A.F.C. season|2006–07]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/may/30/your-winner-is-andy-dawson/|title=Your winner is... Andy Dawson|date=30 May 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Michael Turner (footballer, born 1983)|Michael Turner]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2007–08 Hull City A.F.C. season|2007–08]]||align="center"|<ref name="Dawson POTY">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/june/01/your-winner-is-michael-turner/|title=Your winner is... Michael Turner|date=1 June 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|}
|
{| class="wikitable alternance"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Name
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Nation
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Season
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="left"|[[Michael Turner (footballer, born 1983)|Michael Turner]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2008–09 Hull City A.F.C. season|2008–09]]||align="center"|<ref name="Dawson POTY"/>
|-
|align="left"|[[Stephen Hunt (footballer, born 1981)|Stephen Hunt]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Football Association of Ireland|IRL]]||align="center"|[[2009–10 Hull City A.F.C. season|2009–10]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/june/10/your-winner-is-stephen-hunt/|title=Your winner is... Stephen Hunt|date=10 June 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Anthony Gerrard]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|IRL}} [[Football Association of Ireland|IRL]]||align="center"|[[2010–11 Hull City A.F.C. season|2010–11]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2356440,00.html|title=Gerrard named Player of the Year |date=9 May 2011|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907061658/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10338~2356440%2C00.html|archivedate=7 September 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Robert Koren]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|SVN}} [[Football Association of Slovenia|SVN]]||align="center"|[[2011–12 Hull City A.F.C. season|2011–12]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2743792,00.html|title=Koren Named Player Of The Season|date=21 April 2012|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620191329/http://www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10338~2743792%2C00.html|archive-date=20 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Ahmed Elmohamady]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|EGY}} [[Egyptian Football Association|EGY]]||align="center"|[[2012–13 Hull City A.F.C. season|2012–13]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite web
 |url        = http://www.hullcityafc.net/news/article/poty-awards-winners-784402.aspx
 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130422062159/http://www.hullcityafc.net/news/article/poty-awards-winners-784402.aspx
 |url-status   = dead
 |archivedate = 22 April 2013
 |title      = Who were the winners at our official awards evening?
 |date       = 20 April 2013
 |publisher  = Hull City A.F.C.
 |accessdate = 21 April 2013
}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Curtis Davies]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2013–14 Hull City A.F.C. season|2013–14]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/201314-poty-awards-winners-1541513.aspx
 |title       = Davies Scoops Top Prize
 |date        = 7 May 2014
 |publisher   = Hull City A.F.C.
 |accessdate  = 7 May 2014
 |url-status  = dead
 |archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20140508042751/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/201314-poty-awards-winners-1541513.aspx
 |archivedate = 8 May 2014
}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Michael Dawson (footballer)|Michael Dawson]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2014–15 Hull City A.F.C. season|2014–15]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/june/12/your-winner-is-michael-dawson/|title=Your Winner Is... Michael Dawson|date=12 June 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Abel Hernández]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|URU}} [[Uruguayan Football Association|URU]]||align="center"|[[2015–16 Hull City A.F.C. season|2015–16]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/hernandez-at-the-double-at-player-of-the-season-awards-3094167.aspx
 |title        = Hernandez at the Double at Player of the Season Awards
 |date         = 3 May 2016
 |publisher    = Hull City A.F.C.
 |accessdate   = 7 May 2016
 |archiveurl   = https://web.archive.org/web/20160504183215/http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/article/hernandez-at-the-double-at-player-of-the-season-awards-3094167.aspx
 |archivedate  = 4 May 2016
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Sam Clucas]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2016–17 Hull City A.F.C. season|2016–17]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/june/14/your-winner-is-sam-clucas/|title=Your Winner Is... Sam Clucas|date=14 June 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Allan McGregor]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Scottish Football Association|SCO]]||align="center"|[[2017–18 Hull City A.F.C. season|2017–18]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news
 | url = https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/articles/2018/1718-player-of-the-year-awards-evening-round-up/
 | title = Bowen Bags A Brace At Player Of The Year Awards Evening
 | date = 8 May 2018
 | publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 | accessdate = 12 May 2018
 | archive-date = 13 May 2018
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180513081127/https://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/articles/2018/1718-player-of-the-year-awards-evening-round-up/
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Jarrod Bowen]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2018–19 Hull City A.F.C. season|2018–19]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news
 | url = https://www.hullcitytigers.com/bowen-picks-up-hat-trick-of-awards/
 | title = Bowen Picks Up Hat-Trick Of Awards
 | date = 8 May 2019
 | publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 | accessdate = 13 May 2019
 | archivedate = 18 August 2020
 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20200818011920/https://www.hullcitytigers.com/bowen-picks-up-hat-trick-of-awards/
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|N/A{{efn|Hull City did not host an awards ceremony nor give out a Player of the Year award for the [[2019–20 Hull City A.F.C. season|2019–20]] season due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom|COVID-19 pandemic]]}}||align="center"|–||align="center"|[[2019–20 Hull City A.F.C. season|2019–20]]||align="center"|–
|-
|align="left"|[[George Honeyman]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2020–21 Hull City A.F.C. season|2020–21]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/june/17/your-winner-is-george-honeyman/|title=Your Winner Is... George Honeyman|date=17 June 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=18 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Keane Lewis-Potter]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2021–22 Hull City A.F.C. season|2021–22]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news
 | url = https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2022/may/hull-city-awards-recap-2022/
 | title = Lewis-Potter wins hat-trick of awards
 | date = 3 May 2022
 | publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 | accessdate = 3 May 2022}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Alfie Jones]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Canadian Soccer Association|CAN]]||align="center"|[[2022–23 Hull City A.F.C. season|2022–23]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news
 | url = https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2023/may/slater-wins-duo-of-awards/
 | title = Slater wins duo of awards
 | date = 2 May 2023
 | publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 | accessdate = 2 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Jacob Greaves]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||align="center"|[[2023–24 Hull City A.F.C. season|2023–24]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news
 | url = https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/may/01/greaves-wins-hat-trick-of-awards/
 | title = Hull City Awards 2023/24: Round-Up
 | date = 1 May 2024
 | publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 | accessdate = 1 May 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Ivor Pandur]]||align="center"|{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Croatian Football Federation|CRO]]||align="center"|[[2024–25 Hull City A.F.C. season|2024–25]]||align="center"|<ref>{{cite news
 | url = https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/may/06/hull-city-awards-2024-25-round-up/
 | title = Hull City Awards 2024/25: Round-Up
 | date = 6 May 2025
 | publisher = Hull City A.F.C.
 | accessdate = 6 May 2025}}</ref>
|}
|}

=== Hall of Fame ===

On 18 October 2017, Hull City announced the creation of its own [[Hall of Fame]] to honour the numerous legendary figures from throughout the club's history, with the first inductees to be decided in February 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history/hall-of-fame/|title=Hall of Fame|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>

{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable alternance"  style="text-align: center;"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Name
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Nation
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Years
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Inducted
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="left"|[[Ian Ashbee]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||2002–2011||2018||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/ian-ashbee-wembley-hull-city-1603673|title='No one can ever take it away from me' – Ian Ashbee on his enduring Hull City pride|date=25 December 2022|work=Hull Daily Mail|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Nick Barmby]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||2004–2012{{efn|Barmby played for Hull City between 2004–2012, but between 2011–2012 he also worked as the team's [[Player-coach|player-manager]]}}||2023||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2023/december/29/barmby-to-be-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/|title=Barmby to be inducted into Hall of Fame|date=29 December 2023|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=29 December 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Billy Bly]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||1938–1959||2018||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history/hall-of-fame/billy-bly/|title=Billy Bly|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Raich Carter]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||1948–1952{{efn|Carter played for Hull City between 1948–1952, but between 1948–1951 he also worked as the team's [[Player-coach|player-manager]]}}||2024||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/october/19/carter-to-be-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/|title=Carter to be inducted into Hall of Fame|date=20 October 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=21 October 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Chris Chilton]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||1960–1971||2018||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/hull-city-legend-chris-chilton-passes-away-at-the-age-of-77-3243748|title=Hull City legend Chris Chilton passes away at the age of 77|date=20 May 2021|work=Yorkshire Post|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Andy Davidson (footballer)|Andy Davidson]]||{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Scottish Football Association|SCO]]||1952–1968||2018||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history/hall-of-fame/andy-davidson/|title=Andy Davidson|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Andy Dawson]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||2003–2024{{efn|Dawson played for Hull City between 2003–2013, but returned in both 2022 and 2024 for separate spells as [[Caretaker manager|interim manager]] }}||2022||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2022/december/andy-dawson-inducted-into-the-hull-city-hall-of-fame/|title=Andy Dawson inducted into the Hull City Hall of Fame|date=31 December 2022|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=7 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Stuart Elliott (footballer, born 1978)|Stuart Elliott]]||{{flagicon|NIR}} [[Irish Football Association|NIR]]||2002–2008||2024||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/january/01/elliott-inducted-into-hall-of-fame/|title=Elliott inducted into Hall of Fame|date=1 January 2025|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=1 January 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Tony Norman]]||{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Football Association of Wales|WAL]]||1980–1988||2025||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/november/11/norman-inducted-into-the-hall-of-fame/|title=Norman inducted into the Hall of Fame|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=11 November 2025|accessdate=13 November 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Garreth Roberts]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||1978–1991||2021||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2021/december/garreth-roberts-to-be-inducted-into-the-hull-city-hall-of-fame/|title=Garreth Roberts to be inducted into the Hull City Hall of Fame|date=31 December 2021|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=7 May 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Peter Skipper]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||1979–1988{{efn|Skipper had two separate spells at Hull City, the first between 1979–1980 and the second between 1982–1988}}||2019||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/pete-skipper-hull-city-great-2788840|title=Peter Skipper remembered: Hull City greats and teammates recall a man black and amber to the core|date=23 April 2020|work=Hull Daily Mail|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Ken Wagstaff]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||1964–1976||2018||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history/hall-of-fame/ken-wagstaff/|title=Ken Wagstaff|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=11 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|[[Dean Windass]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||1991–2009{{efn|Windass had three separate spells at Hull City, the first between 1991–1995, the second in 2007, and the third between 2007–2009}}||2020||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2020/december/hall_of_fame_windass/|title=Dean Windass To Be Inducted Into The Hull City Hall Of Fame|date=31 December 2020|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=7 May 2023}}</ref>
|}
|}

===Hull City Ladies F.C.===
{{Main|Hull City Ladies F.C.}}
Hull City Ladies F.C. are not a registered affiliate of Hull City A.F.C. and their men's team, however, they do share a number of similarities, namely their club colours and crest. As of the [[2024–25 FA Women's National League#Northern Division|2024–25]] season, they compete in the [[FA Women's National League North]]. ''The Tigresses'', as they are known, play their home games at the Easy Buy Stadium in nearby [[Barton-upon-Humber]], [[Lincolnshire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bartontownfc.co.uk/2022/06/01/hull-city-ladies-to-play-at-easy-buy-stadium-for-2022-23-season/|title=Hull City Ladies to play at Easy Buy Stadium for 2022/23 season|work=Barton Town F.C.|accessdate=2 May 2025|date=1 June 2022}}</ref>

== Management ==
=== Ownership and board members ===
[[File:Fenerbahçe Sports Club Ordinary General Assembly Meeting 20240609 (24 cropped).jpg|thumb|[[Acun Ilıcalı]], owner of Hull City since 2022]]
{{updated|11 June 2025}}
{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Position
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Name
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="left"|Owner||align="left"|{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Acun Medya]]||<ref name="Club Statement"/>
|-
|align="left"|Chairman||align="left"|{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Acun Ilıcalı]]||<ref name="Club Statement"/>
|-
|align="left"|Sporting Director||align="left"|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Jared Dublin]]||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/august/14/jared-dublin-appointed-head-of-recruitment/|title=Jared Dublin appointed Head of Recruitment|date=14 August 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=14 August 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Club adviser||align="left"|{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Merthan Açıl]]||<ref name="White"/>
|-
|align="left"|Club adviser||align="left"|{{flagicon|TUR}} Mustafa Yokes||<ref name="White"/>
|-
|align="left"|Head of Recruitment||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Martin Hodge]]||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/may/21/martin-hodge-appointed-head-of-recruitment/|title=Martin Hodge appointed Head of Recruitment|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=21 May 2025|accessdate=21 May 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Chief Scout||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Stuart White||<ref name="White">{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/hull-citys-transfer-brain-team-9343566|title=Hull City's transfer brain team explained as Tigers get busy in transfer market|work=Hull Daily Mail|date=2 July 2024|accessdate=11 June 2025}}</ref>
|}
|}

=== Coaches and non-playing staff ===
[[File:Sergej Jakirović (cropped).png|thumb|[[Sergej Jakirović]], manager of Hull City since 2025]]
{{updated|2 July 2025}}
{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Position
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Name
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
|align="left"|Manager||align="left"|{{flagicon|BIH}} [[Sergej Jakirović]]||<ref name="Jakirović appointed new Head Coach">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/june/11/jakirovic-appointed-new-head-coach/|title=Jakirović appointed new Head Coach|date=11 June 2025|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|access-date=11 June 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Assistant Manager||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Dean Holden]]||<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/july/01/holden-appointed-assistant-head-coach/|title=Holden appointed Assistant Head Coach|date=2 July 2025|access-date=2 July 2025|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|First Team Coach||align="left"|{{flagicon|CRO}} [[Marko Salatović]]||<ref name="Jakirović appointed new Head Coach"/>
|-
|align="left"|First Team Fitness Coach||align="left"|{{flagicon|CRO}} Marin Ivančić||<ref name="Jakirović appointed new Head Coach"/>
|-
|align="left"|First Team Goalkeeping Coach||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Erbil Bozkurt]]||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/july/05/bozkurt-appointed-goalkeeping-coach/|title=Bozkurt appointed Goalkeeping Coach|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=5 July 2024|accessdate=5 July 2024}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Head of Analysis||align="left"|{{flagicon|CRO}} Anđelo Roguljić||<ref name="Jakirović appointed new Head Coach"/>
|-
|align="left"|Head of Player Development||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Andy Dawson]]||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2025/july/03/introducing-jakirovic-s-backroom-staff/|title=
Introducing Jakirović’s backroom staff|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|date=3 July 2025|accessdate=6 July 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Kitman||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Eyre (footballer)|John Eyre]]||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hullcitykits.co.uk/2012/01/12/hck-interview-kitman-john-eyre/|title=HCK interview: Kitman John Eyre|work=hullcitykits.co.uk|date=12 January 2012|accessdate=25 October 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Groundsman||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Aaron Tong||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn546rv7ldqo|title='Managing turf can be tough at times' - groundsman|work=BBC News|date=26 December 2024|accessdate=18 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Club Doctor||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Dr. Ronnie Banerjee||<ref name="Doctors">{{cite news|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/news/2024/november/12/hytro-announced-as-official-bfr-supplier/|title=Hytro announced as Official BFR Supplier|date=12 November 2024|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=22 March 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Head of Medical Performance||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Andrew Balderston||<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6698048/2025/10/08/liam-millar-canada-hull-city-acl-injury-depression-world-cup-marsch/|title=Liam Millar’s comeback from an ACL tear – and the depression that followed|work=The Athletic|date=8 October 2025|accessdate=25 October 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="left"|Head of Physical Performance||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} Matt Busby||<ref name="Doctors"/>
|}
|}

=== Managerial history ===
{{Main|List of Hull City A.F.C. managers}}
{{updated|match played 13 December 2025}}

Only professional, competitive matches are counted. Additionally, [[Caretaker manager|interim]] managers are not included in the list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1310&teamTabs=managers|title=Hull: Managers|work=soccerbase.com|accessdate=19 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.oncloudseven.com/managers/|title=Hull City's Managers|work=oncloudseven.com|accessdate=23 July 2025}}</ref>

{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Name
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Nation
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Tenure
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|G
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|W
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|D
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|L
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Win %
|-
|1{{efn|name=PM|[[Player-coach|Player-manager]]}}||align="left"|[[Ambrose Langley]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||April 1905 – April 1913 ||318||143||67||108||44.96
|-
|2||align="left"|[[Harry Chapman (footballer, born 1880)|Harry Chapman]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||April 1913 – October 1914 ||45||20||10||15||44.44
|-
|3||align="left"|[[Fred Stringer]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||October 1914 – July 1916 ||43||22||6||15||51.16
|-
|4||align="left"|[[David Menzies]]||{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Scottish Football Association|SCO]]||July 1916 – July 1921 ||90||31||27||32||34.44
|-
|5||align="left"|[[Percy Lewis (football manager)|Percy Lewis]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||July 1921 – January 1923 ||71||27||18||26||38.02
|-
|6||align="left"|[[Bill McCracken]]||{{flagicon|NIR}} [[Irish Football Association|NIR]]||February 1923 – May 1931 ||375||134||104||137||35.73
|-
|7||align="left"|[[Haydn Green]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||May 1931 – March 1934 ||123||61||24||38||49.59
|-
|8||align="left"|[[Jack Hill (footballer, born 1897)|Jack Hill]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||April 1934 – January 1936 ||77||24||15||38||31.16
|-
|4{{efn|name=SMS|Second managerial spell}}||align="left"|[[David Menzies]]||{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Scottish Football Association|SCO]]||March 1936 – October 1936 ||24||5||8||11||20.83
|-
|9||align="left"|[[Ernest Blackburn]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||January 1937 – February 1946 ||117||50||31||36||42.73
|-
|10||align="left"|[[Frank Buckley (footballer)|Frank Buckley]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||May 1946 – April 1948 ||80||33||19||28||41.25
|-
|11{{efn|name=PM}}||align="left"|[[Raich Carter]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||May 1948 – September 1951 ||157||74||41||42||47.13
|-
|12||align="left"|[[Bob Jackson (football manager)|Bob Jackson]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||June 1952 – March 1955 ||123||42||26||55||34.14
|-
|13||align="left"|[[Bob Brocklebank]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||March 1955 – May 1961 ||302||113||71||118||37.41
|-
|14||align="left"|[[Cliff Britton]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||July 1961 – November 1969 ||406||170||101||135||41.87
|-
|15{{efn|Neill began as a [[Player-coach|player-manager]], before becoming the club's full-time manager in 1973}}||align="left"|[[Terry Neill]]||{{flagicon|NIR}} [[Irish Football Association|NIR]]||June 1970 – September 1974 ||174||61||55||58||35.05
|-
|16{{efn|Kaye began as a [[Player-coach|player-manager]], before becoming the club's full-time manager in 1975}}||align="left"|[[John Kaye (footballer)|John Kaye]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||September 1974 – October 1977 ||126||40||40||46||31.74
|-
|17||align="left"|[[Bobby Collins (footballer)|Bobby Collins]]||{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Scottish Football Association|SCO]]||October 1977 – February 1978 ||19||4||7||8||21.05
|-
|18||align="left"|[[Ken Houghton]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||April 1978 – December 1979 ||72||23||22||27||31.94
|-
|19||align="left"|[[Mike Smith (football manager)|Mike Smith]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||January 1980 – March 1982 ||117||30||37||50||25.64
|-
|20||align="left"|[[Colin Appleton]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||June 1982 – May 1984 ||91||47||29||15||51.64
|-
|21{{efn|Horton began as a [[Player-coach|player-manager]], before becoming the club's full-time manager in 1986}}||align="left"|[[Brian Horton]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||June 1984 – April 1988 ||195||77||58||60||39.48
|-
|22||align="left"|[[Eddie Gray (footballer, born 1948)|Eddie Gray]]||{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Scottish Football Association|SCO]]||June 1988 – May 1989 ||51||13||14||24||25.49
|-
|20{{efn|name=SMS}}||align="left"|[[Colin Appleton]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||May 1989 – October 1989 ||16||1||8||7||06.25
|-
|23||align="left"|[[Stan Ternent]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||November 1989 – January 1991 ||62||19||15||28||30.64
|-
|24||align="left"|[[Terry Dolan (footballer)|Terry Dolan]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||January 1991 – July 1997 ||322||99||96||127||30.74
|-
|25{{efn|name=PM}}||align="left"|[[Mark Hateley]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||July 1997 – November 1998 ||76||17||14||45||22.36
|-
|26{{efn|name=PM}}||align="left"|[[Warren Joyce]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||November 1998 – April 2000 ||86||33||25||28||38.37
|-
|27||align="left"|[[Brian Little]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||April 2000 – February 2002 ||97||41||28||28||42.26
|-
|28||align="left"|[[Jan Mølby]]||{{flagicon|DEN}} [[Danish Football Association|DEN]]||April 2002 – October 2002 ||17||2||8||7||11.76
|-
|29||align="left"|[[Peter Taylor (footballer, born 1953)|Peter Taylor]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||October 2002 – June 2006 ||184||77||50||57||41.84
|-
|30||align="left"|[[Phil Parkinson]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||June 2006 – December 2006 ||24||5||6||13||20.83
|-
|31||align="left"|[[Phil Brown (footballer, born 1959)|Phil Brown]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||December 2006 – June 2010 ||157||52||40||65||33.12
|-
|32{{efn|Dowie acted as the club's "Temporary Football Management Consultant" whilst Phil Brown was placed on [[Garden leave|gardening leave]]}}||align="left"|[[Iain Dowie]]||{{flagicon|NIR}} [[Irish Football Association|NIR]]||March 2010 – June 2010 ||9||1||3||5||11.11
|-
|33||align="left"|[[Nigel Pearson]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||June 2010 – November 2011 ||64||23||20||21|||35.94
|-
|34{{efn|name=PM}}||align="left"|[[Nick Barmby]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||November 2011 – May 2012 ||33||13||8||12|||39.39
|-
|35||align="left"|[[Steve Bruce]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||June 2012 – July 2016 ||201||83||44||74|||41.29
|-
|36||align="left"|[[Mike Phelan]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||July 2016 – January 2017
||24||7||4||13|||29.17
|-
|37||align="left"|[[Marco Silva]]||{{flagicon|POR}} [[Portuguese Football Federation|POR]]||January 2017 – May 2017
||22||8||3||11|||36.36
|-
|38||align="left"|[[Leonid Slutsky (football coach)|Leonid Slutsky]]||{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Russian Football Union|RUS]]||June 2017 – December 2017
||21||4||7||10|||19.05
|-
|39||align="left"|[[Nigel Adkins]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||December 2017 – June 2019
||78||26||21||31|||33.33
|-
|40||align="left"|[[Grant McCann]]||{{flagicon|NIR}} [[Irish Football Association|NIR]]||June 2019 – January 2022
||136||53||30||53|||38.97
|-
|41||align="left"|[[Shota Arveladze]]||{{flagicon|GEO}} [[Georgian Football Federation|GEO]]||January 2022 – September 2022
||30||9||6||15|||30.00
|-
|42||align="left"|[[Liam Rosenior]]||{{flagicon|ENG}} [[The Football Association|ENG]]||November 2022 – May 2024
||78||27||28||23|||34.62
|-
|43||align="left"|[[Tim Walter]]||{{flagicon|GER}} [[German Football Association|GER]]||July 2024 – November 2024
||18||3||6||9|||16.67
|-
|44||align="left"|[[Rubén Sellés]]||{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Royal Spanish Football Federation|ESP]]||December 2024 – May 2025
||28||9||8||11|||32.14
|-
|45||align="left"|[[Sergej Jakirović]]||{{flagicon|BIH}}  [[Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina|BIH]]||June 2025 – Present
||22||10||5||7|||45.45
|}
|}

== Records and statistics ==
{{Further|List of Hull City A.F.C. records and statistics}}
{{updated|8 August 2024}}<ref name="Club Records">{{cite web|url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history/club-records/|title=Club Records|publisher=Hull City A.F.C.|accessdate=8 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Peterson|title= The Definitive Hull City A.F.C.: A statistical history to 1999|page= 5}}</ref><ref name="Wigan defeat"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldfootball.net/match-report/ma75283/lineup/|title=Hull City – Liverpool FC 0:0 (Premier League 2009/2010, 38. Round)|publisher=worldfootball.net|access-date=8 August 2024}}</ref>

=== Appearances ===
[[Andy Davidson (footballer)|Andy Davidson]] holds the record for the most appearances for Hull City. He featured 520 times for the Tigers in the league, and 579 times in all competitions. [[Garreth Roberts]] is second on the all competitions appearances list with 487, just ahead of [[Chris Chilton]] on 477. In the league alone, Roberts stands at 414, one behind Chilton on 415, who comes third. Between him and Davidson is [[George Maddison (footballer, born 1902)|George Maddison]], with 430 league appearances.

The youngest debutant the club has seen was [[Matt Edeson]]. At 16 years and 60 days old, he came off the bench against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] on 10 October 1992.{{efn|Hull City's website incorrectly records Edeson's debut as being on 10 December 1992 with him aged 16 years and 63 days old, neither of which is true<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/hull-city-record-matt-edeson-601028|title=The incredible story of how Matt Edeson made Hull City history|date=24 December 2020|work=Hull Daily Mail|accessdate=8 August 2024}}</ref>}} Hull's oldest debutant is [[Andy Hessenthaler]], who played against [[Chesterfield F.C.|Chesterfield]] on 1 February 2005 at 39 years and 168 days old. However, [[Steve Harper]] was the oldest player to appear for the Tigers. On 24 May 2015, at 40 years and 60 days old, Harper was in goal for the 0–0 draw against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] that saw Hull relegated from the [[2014–15 Premier League season|Premier League]].

[[Theodore Whitmore]] of [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]] holds the record for the most international caps won whilst playing for Hull City. During his time in black and amber between 1999 and 2002, Whitmore amassed 28 caps for his nation.

=== Goals ===
[[Chris Chilton]] holds the record for the most goals for Hull City. He scored 222 goals in all competitions between 1960 and 1971, with 193 of those being league goals. [[Ken Wagstaff]], Chilton's strike partner for much of that time, comes second on both lists, with 173 of his 197 goals in black and amber coming in the league. [[Sammy Stevens]] is third in the all competitions list with 116 goals, whereas [[Paddy Mills]] and his 101 goals ranks him third amongst the league goalscorers.

The club record for the most goals scored by a single player in a competitive fixture belongs to [[Duane Darby]]. Against [[Whitby Town F.C.|Whitby Town]] in an [[1996–97 FA Cup#First round proper|FA Cup]] first round replay on 26 November 1996, Darby scored six times in an 8–4 goalfest at [[Boothferry Park]]. The club record for the most goals scored by a single player in a single season is the 42 goals [[Bill McNaughton]] scored in the [[1932–33 Hull City A.F.C. season|1932–33]] season.

=== Scorelines ===
Hull City's biggest margin of victory in a competitive fixture was their 11–1 drubbing of [[Carlisle United F.C.|Carlisle United]] at [[Anlaby Road]] on 14 January 1939. The Tigers' biggest competitive away win was their 8–2 thrashing of [[Stalybridge Celtic F.C.|Stalybridge Celtic]] on 26 November 1932 in the first round of the [[1932–33 FA Cup#First round proper|FA Cup]].

Hull have been beaten 8–0 twice in their history, which is their biggest ever losing margin in a competitive fixture. Firstly, they lost to [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] on 4 November 1911. This humiliating defeat was then equalled over a century later when [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] beat the Tigers on [[Wigan Athletic F.C. 8–0 Hull City A.F.C.|14 July 2020]].

=== Attendances ===

The record for the highest ever attended competitive fixture involving Hull City stands at 89,345 spectators. This was set on 17 May 2014 for the [[2014 FA Cup final]] against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] at [[Wembley Stadium]], which ended with the Tigers being beaten 3–2 in extra-time.

Hull's highest ever home attendance for a competitive fixture was recorded on 26 February 1949, when a crowd of 55,019 attended an [[1948–49 FA Cup|FA Cup]] sixth round tie against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] at [[Boothferry Park]]. Since moving to the [[MKM Stadium]], the record stands at 25,030 spectators. This was set on 9 May 2010, when the Tigers played out a 0–0 draw with [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] on the final day of the [[2009–10 Premier League season|2009–10]] season.

=== Transfers ===
The largest transfer fee the club has ever paid for a player is the £13&nbsp;million they paid [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] for [[Ryan Mason]] in 2016. Conversely, the most they have ever received for a player is the £22&nbsp;million [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] bought [[Jarrod Bowen]] for in 2020.

=== European record ===
{{Main|Hull City A.F.C. in European football}}
''Source'':<ref name="Hull City fchd"/>

{|
|-
|valign="top"|
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|-
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Season
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Competition
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Round
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Opponent
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Home
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|Away
!style="background-color:#FFAF00; color:000000; border:3px ##;"|{{abbr|Agg.|Aggregate score}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[2014–15 UEFA Europa League|2014–15]]
| rowspan="2"| [[UEFA Europa League]]
| [[2014–15 UEFA Europa League#Third qualifying round|3Q]]
| {{flagicon|SVK}} [[FK AS Trenčín]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| style="text-align:center;"| 0–0
| style="text-align:center;"| '''2–1'''
|-
| [[2014–15 UEFA Europa League#Play-off round|PO]]
| {{flagicon|BEL}} [[K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen|KSC Lokeren]]
| style="text-align:center;"| 2–1
| style="text-align:center;"| 0–1
| style="text-align:center;"| '''2–2'''
|}
|}
;Notes
* '''3Q''': Third qualifying round
* '''PO''': Play-off round

==Honours==
Source:<ref name="Hull City fchd"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/club/history/club-honours/ |title=Club Honours |publisher=Hull City A.F.C. |accessdate=23 April 2024}}</ref>

'''League'''
*[[EFL Championship|Championship]] (level 2)
**2nd place promotion: [[2012–13 Football League Championship|2012–13]]
**Play-off winners: [[2008 Football League Championship play-off final|2008]], [[2016 Football League Championship play-off final|2016]]
*[[Football League Third Division North|Third Division North]] / [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] / [[EFL League One|League One]] (level 3)
**Champions: [[1932–33 Football League|1932–33]], [[1948–49 Football League|1948–49]], [[1965–66 Football League|1965–66]], [[2020–21 EFL League One|2020–21]]
**2nd place promotion: [[1958–59 Football League|1958–59]], [[2004–05 Football League One|2004–05]]
**3rd place promotion: [[1984–85 Football League|1984–85]]
*[[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] / Third Division (level 4)
**2nd place promotion: [[1982–83 Football League|1982–83]], [[2003–04 Football League|2003–04]]

'''Cup'''
*[[FA Cup]]
**Runners-up: [[2013–14 FA Cup|2013–14]]
*[[Associate Members' Cup]]
**Runners-up: [[1983–84 Associate Members' Cup|1983–84]]
*[[Watney Cup]]
**Runners-up: 1973

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://www.wearehullcity.co.uk/ Hull City A.F.C.] – official website
*{{BBC football info|BBClinkname=hull-city}}

{{Hull City A.F.C.}}
{{Navboxes|titlestyle=background:#ffaf00; border:1px solid #000000;color:#000000;
|list1=
{{Hull City A.F.C. squad}}
{{Hull City A.F.C. managers}}
{{Hull City A.F.C. seasons}}
{{Hull City A.F.C. matches}}
{{Hull City A.F.C. Hall of Fame}}
{{Hull City A.F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Premier League}}
{{EFL Championship}}
{{EFL League One}}
{{Kingston upon Hull}}
{{Sport in Hull}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Hull City A.F.C.]]
[[Category:1904 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1904]]
[[Category:English Football League clubs]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Football clubs in the East Riding of Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Premier League clubs]]
[[Category:Sport in Kingston upon Hull]]
[[Category:Professional football clubs in England]]