they don't own it, there's a clue in your questiom!

Wrong.



Right.
And by this rule of thumb he can never stage any extraordinary events at the KC until after the publication of the Premier League fixtures. As most major events need the best part of a year's planning the future looks bleak for Hull people wanting to see Concerts, Internationals etc at their local Community Stadium paid for by local money.



Exactly - Duffen wasn't prepared to try - just refused to compromise. Wonder if this would be the case if it was FIFA approaching him...

"... umm, hang on, City may or may not be playing that weekend - I really don't know yet. No, I'm not prepared to ask the Premier League schedulers.... Why? Oh, well I've asked them twice already... Sorry, it had better be a 'no'. Why don't you try Wigan? They've always managed to stage the rugby. Sure they'd appreciate the Football International. How?... umm, not sure really... not that bothered to be honest, it's only worth a few burger and lager sales to me."

Don't think so.

So, you were at the meeting(s), or know someone who was?

If FIFA were approaching him, City playing wouldn't be an issue as all International games are played on non PL weekends.

Well publicised by Duffen himself at the time. About the same time as he announced on Live Local radio that he couldn't have had any complaints from the rugby population of Hull about this because they couldn't write, IIRC.

You're right. Just as well! How convenient for him

I don't recall him giving details of which way the dates had moved between him and the RFL.?

The RL offered him one date which he couldn't guarantee. I believe more were offered after this initial refusal which were also declined, but not 100% sure of these details. At no point did Duffen offer them dates - how could he? The fixtures weren't out and that was the whole problem - no date would have suited if he wasn't prepared to ask for the dispensation.

Never been able to get to the bottom of why he didn't try for the dispensation. Was he too embarrassed to go cap in hand to the PL schedulers once again? Or what? Can't think of a reason why he wouldn't try, even if his attempt was refused.

Maybe he did try...do you know for certain he didn't.

If he didn't it would've been because the RFL didn't do as they first promised and give him a selection of dates instead of just the one.

He'd already asked for 3 weekends in a very short space of time where City needed to play away...the FA have a hard enough job as it is without one club needing 4 weekends away from home in the space of 2 months.

Round One
2009-10-23
New Zealand v Australia Twickenham Stoop, London, England

2009-10-24
England v France Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster, England

Round Two
2009-10-31
England v Australia JJB Stadium, Wigan, England

2009-10-31
France v New Zealand Stade Ernest Wallon, Toulouse, France

Round Three
2009-11-07
England v New Zealand Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield, England

2009-11-07
France v Australia Stade Jean Bouin, Paris, France

Out of interest, which game do people think [ishould[/i have been played at the KC?

With all respects you are mistaken, I can tell you we have a very good chance as long as we address the issues that have been raised to us by the FA inspection team. The Hull offer is completely different to that of the other applicant host cities in terms of its hosting concept.

The port complex, waterfront setting and the opportunity to deliver first class fan parks and fan fests present Kingston Upon Hull with a very strong and unique proposition.

To add, FIFA's goal is to leave a regeneration legacy and impact on a city this can be achieved in Hull but this can not be said for the likes of other applicant cities such as Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool etc.


WC PROJECT MANAGER

Hardly likely to say different, are you!

Anyone of the 3 England games would have been nice!

Think we were pencilled in for the NZ game by the rfl but not sure on that.

Any of the above although I believe the England v NZ one was the one the RFL offered us.