that wont stop him and his big plans

I don't think the charter says Hull HAS to have one, just that it may have one.

Also the charter won't specify that it has to be at Walton Street.

Wasnt the council after moving the fair so they could build a super school?

THE FACTS

- RL Needed a cast iron/set in stone commitment to a free weekend NOW

- A request to Football League can only be made in MARCH

- The confirmed fixture list comes out in JUNE with no guarantee of this free weekend being granted

Unless SMC took a huge gamble, the decision is correct.
Remember that TV Coverage, Hotel booking for supporters and Teams, Police cover, etc etc does not happen at the drop of a hat.
They take months of planning and months of notice.

If the ONLY time SMC would get a confirmed answer was June, and someone needed an answer - only a moron would agree to hosting the event.

This is good business sense, not one person on her does anything on a hope. You dont work unless you have a PO, you dont do anything till it has been approved, you dot every 'i' and cross every 't'.
Thats SMCs job, and thats exactly what they have done.

A decision like this cannot be made based on emotive factors. They are a Stadium Management company and they managed it correctly.

So how did 4 other grounds shared with football clubs manage it then?

Besides, even if there was a clash City could always play on the Sunday. Fixtures get moved to Sunday all the time because of mid week Euro fixtures.

You raise some very good points, but if Mr Duffen had come out and said this a week ago, instead of being "unavailable for Comment", then we may not be having this debate.

However, he didn’t, and then had a wisecrack about the literacy abilities of RL fans. This argument has now moved on from why there will be no International RL game at the KC stadium to Mr Duffens suitability as SMC chairman, all brought on by his less than impressive behaviour for someone who should know better.

Yeah, youre forgetting the Kiwis and their month long itinerary which takes 6 months to plan!

This isnt Bradford Bulls driving 90 mins down the road.
These are the world champions, travelling half way round the world and need (and will) plan this to the hour!

Simply moving a game in June when the list comes out - my god - how amateur would Hull come across!

As for Mr Duffen making a tongue in cheey comment - not wise, but was tongue in cheek!

Dont get me wrong, i have huge issues with the KevBall fans and players in England.

But this is a balanced, managerial decison that needed to be made.
This is why these people are paid, to make tough decisions and stick to their guns.

As for the other clubs, well you can kick up a huge fuss..............but Duffen is nowhere near the level that Whelan dropped when he shipped out Wigan to Widnes for a play off game.

That, fortuntely, is not the case here.

The difference being, Whelan OWNS the JJB, Duffen doesn't own the KC.

The difference being, Whelan OWNS the JJB, Duffen doesn't own the KC.

In a nutshell people..............here is your answer!

Whelan owns his Stadiium, therefore can decide who to kick out, and when.
He decides what he wants and where - REGARDLESS of any fixture lists!

Duffen acted responsibly for his role - because he doesnt own the stadium and CANT make those decisions.
Duffen is governed by many parties, and cannot make priorities off his own back, there are too many stakeholders!

Well done Duffen - you performed your role admirably.
Management at any level, in any sector have to make decisions that make people unhappy, Duffen did, but made it with all the knowledge and considered all the factors.

Bravo.

Where his predecessor could and did under the same rules of management.

Well do you want him to do his job Properly.............or properly to keep RL fans happy?

Because one is accepatable
The other is biased, and totally unacceptable!

Can't he do both? Pearson did.

Well thought out and correct.

SMIGGS

Clearly he is doing his job.
Right now you can pick one of dozens of examples of mis-management of companies, and the effects they have.

You cannot be-grudge a man for being transparent, and taking a balanced view to such a decision.

I think a lot of people are working on the assumption that a City match is going to take place that weekend - remember - not even Duffen/SMC know.

What would he do if he drew Man Utd/Liverpool/Chelsea who needed to play on a Saturday before a Champions League game.
Imagine if that Saturday coincided with the international

Duffen and SMC would be branded absolute fools by all parts of the City.
Premier League would have a hissy fit.
UEFA would go mental.
the RFL wouldnt trust Hull again to host an international.