Hull City AFC v Leeds United

Hull Football Club are a rugby league football team who play at Kingston upon Hull so it's a good job that we are playing Hull City Association Football Club. The city we know as Hull was originallly called,  Wyke (on the River Hull), which may come from the Old English word wic meaning "dairy-farm". It later became Kingston upon Hull when it received its royal charter from King Edward I in 1299.

Hull City AFC are nicknamed the Tigers not on account of their fearless and primeval hunting instincts but rather due to their traditional black and amber colors. Hull were established in 1904 and admitted into the league in 1905.

On 1 August 1970, Hull became the first team in the world to be eliminated from a cup competition on penalties, beaten by Manchester United in the semi-final of the Watney Cup (a short-lived English football tournament held in the early 1970s, and before the start of the season).

The Tigers only moment of glory in their history was a brief stint of yoyoing between the premiership and the championship during 2008-16 seasons and an FA Cup final in 2014 when they put up a brave catfight only to lose 3-2 to Boring Boring Arsenal.

In February 1983, City fans Henry Priestman and Mark Herman worked under the pseudonyms 'Harry Amber' and 'Mark Black' (together as 'Amber and Black') to release the song "The Tigers are Back", with backing vocals provided by various members of the City squad. This was done to help raise funds in order to pay the players' wages. "The Tigers are Back" never made it to Top of the Pops but did manage to knock Duran Duran off the number one spot in Sydney Scarboroughs for one week. Well played Amber and Black.

Since December, Hull have been managed by Dr Rubén Sellés Salvador (Saviour in Spanish) who led Southampton to relegation, told the Reading FC Boad to sell up, and oversaw changing room bust-ups when manager of Port Vale. Interestingly, Saviour picked up his UEFA Pro License at the age of 25, studying alongside one Carlos Corberan. Selles has coached in Spain, Russia, Greece, Azerbaijan, Norway, Denmark and England. Selles employed a 4-2-2-2 and high press when in charge of The Saints last season.

Hull play at the MKM Stadium, formally the KC Stadium (named after the communication firm, not those crisps TC likes to eat). Hull's mascots are Roary and Amber. In 1999, Roary went on the pitch during play, creeping up behind the opposition keeper just as he was about to take a goal kick, and gesturing as though he was going to squeeze his bottom. This proved to be the final straw for the ref that day, as Roary was “sent of.  

Famous celebrities from Hull include:

• Reece Shearsmith

• Maureen Lipman

• Paul Heaton

• Tom Courtenay

• William Wilberforce

• Tigger

• Tony the Tiger from Frosties fame

• Various assorted tigers

• WWII Flyng Ace, Squadron Leader Caesar Barraud Hull from South Africa

Hull may have home advantage but they are 22nd in the league and their current form is LWLWL wheras we are DWWWD. We are also still top, courtesy of Sunderland beating Sheffield United. Hull are captained by Lewie Coyle - remember him, who has played 153 games for the Tigers. Former Man City starlet, 21 year old CB Charlie Hughes is one to watch. And João Pedro is maybe one to consider buying - a highly experienced attacking Number 10 midfielder. And let's not forget Codey Drameh who has played nearly every game this season. I expect Farke to rotate the team again. Wober will probably start at LB as Byram may be needed at RB if Bogle isn't fit. Ampadu will start in CM but could be alongside Tanake or Rothwell. Presumably Gnonto and Ramazani will take the wing positions and Joseph will play ahead of Piroe. I think we will pick ourselves up after dropping two points at Elland Road. A 3-0 win with goals from Aaronson, Joseph and Gnonto.