There is much - much - to complain about at present but that is just garbage.

How do you know the shirts are the worst in the league? Have you sampled the quality of all the others? What are the sales figures compared to previous years given you claim we are losing "£1000s".

The additional income will help. But with reports of a marquee signing rule coming in shortly, fans will expect a wedge over and above the cap to be spent, probably what, £200k. Gates are down across the game. Losing 1000 off the gate is £200k pa. The user agreement's getting more expensive with the SMC. People talking about Brian Smith or similar are dreaming IMO. Firstly he'd want a wedge but he wouldn't come to a back room staff of three.

In simple terms, AP bought what he thought was a viable business with growth potential. With the size of our fanbase (14k average at one point), strong merchandise operations and stadium, you can see why. The reality though has been financial challenge. Undisclosed tax liabilities on acquisition (was due diligence adequate?), poor selection of advisors (primarily McRae, plus agents) and resultant bad decisions. For all the convenient nostalgia for Gentle we broke a record in each comp exit just before he got sacked. I think the potential attendance numbers have dropped since the acquisition in line with the game overall, but actual attendances will be way below what he'd have expected four years ago. The guy's taken a bath on acquisition costs, tax bills, pay-offs, increasing SMC charges and investment in youth development for the fans to respond by not turning up (not judging, just pointing it out) so he's squeezed at both ends. Can't blame him if he's trying to cut his losses, surely?

Virtually all RL owners are benefactors, right? Still waiting for proposals on who has the cash and appetite to take us on.

The two things I'd like to see changing are developing better contacts in Aus to get some independent advice. Build an informal network of the likes of Kearney, Brian Smith, Fitz etc to push our club over there and get insight on availability beyond agency. Thinking about it, our scouting here's not brilliant either. And for AP to be more humble in his communications, admit mistakes but be calm and articulate about what's being done to sort this perpetual mediocrity out.

Small sample size, but the FC training top I got this year is miles better than the NQC one I got in Townsville last year.

Every shirt I've seen is considerably better quality than ours, even those by the same manufacturer..
I can't give you exact figures but I'll tell you that I have always bought all 3. So there around £150 lost. I know at least 5 other people that feel exactly the same, so that's another £750.
So £900 in my circle of FC fans friends.
I have seen many people complaining about it and I spoke to the guy in advantage sport who said that he amazed how much business he's doing on NRL gear because Hull fans are coming in complaining about how bad FC's gear is that they're buying NRL gear.

I'd be pretty confident of saying £1000s in lost revenue. We are already selling out shirts off with massive discounts within a couple of months of the season starting... Our shirts have gone downhill year on year since AP took over.
It's more painful that it's our 150th year. We should have made a proper shirt that people are proud of that would last for years it as usual most won't see the season out!!!

Not a fan of Pearson but i dont think theres anything wrong with the shirts. I think theyre better quality than a lot weve had recentley. I bought five this year after only buying polos last

And the magic shirts?? What a joke we run there...

Pre orders.. So don't get a chance to try one on or see it. Then when they eventually come in they don't have enough sizes so you couldn't actually buy one of you wanted to!!

REALLY????? Name one that worse worse made than these 2 this year!!

Tbh i dont go looking at other shirts. The only one ive seen and touched (yak) is the rovers one and its made of tissue paper compared to ours which has plenty of weight to it. The Prescott away shirt is a great shirt imo

Looks wise im not a fan of the mgic shirt and afaik these are the last Lee Richardson designed shirts so we'll see how things fair next season with completly new designs and possibly a new manufacturer

So to be clear, you're saying overall shirt sales are down this year? I've bought three over the last four seasons, but bought both this year, first time I've ever done that.

Are you for real?

Based on a sample of six people you claim Hull are losing thousands of pounds? You've no idea how many people have bought shirts this season but didn't last season. As if the bloke in Advantage Sports is going to say his stock is poorer quality that a rival shop.

I've bought two shirts this year. I only got the home last season and in 2013 I didn't buy any (didn't like the Vs).

The stick on sponsors are a bit naff, but other than there's nothing wrong with the shirts.

I was in the shop last weekend. Nothing at all wrong with the quality of the merchandise in there. The replica shirts are par for the course, and the training gear is very good - my wife bought two training tops. Some good offers as well.

Training tops are excellent. Never bought one before but pretty smart and really good for the gym.

Still thinking of not attending the Derby match Mrs. B.?

You also forgot he's the man who found a cure for the common cold.