[Archived] Hull City V Blackburn Rovers

[1864roverite]

When one thinks of Hull, football does not exactly spring to mind. If it does, then footballing memories of this City will not be longstanding, not be instantly at the forefront of your mind and, if you are like me, a travelling Rovers supporter from old, then in recalling Hull City's Boothferry Park, you will remember a shed of a ground with little appeal tucked away at the end of a road where it is widely believed the birth of roundabouts where to be the "relief" of traffic congestion whilst bring safety to other road users and pedestrians.

My instant memories of Boothferry Park are of the ground having a quarter of it graded as "delapidated" at best. The "home" end being the area where the loudest noises were generated whilst the "away" end was uncovered, small and compact and being fenced in, not having a quality view of a sloping pitch. I remember the wooden "chippy" near the away end, just at the corner where we had to walk down to the turnstyles whilst I also recall the venom spat by locals at the visiting fans in blue and white.

Supporters from the Chorley area, including the hot spot villages of Wheelton, Higher Wheelton and Brinscall with Abbey Village, will all recall venturing to such a place on Owens coaches. Indeed, this match preview sees me currently in possession of a coach ticket for travel to the game for £3.95 dated 26th August 1985, when Rovers travelled to Hull for an early season away game way back in 1985.

Now then, back in 1985, Rovers were under the Stewardship of Bobby Saxton, who, as described in the programme, was a straightforward talking chap from Doncaster. He had been at the helm since 1981 after taking over from Howard Kendall, a true Rovers legend who had come so close to taking us into heaven only for Preston to have F****D it up by losing to Swansea City.

Anyhow, a quick glance at the end of the previous season saw Rovers finish in 5th spot in Division 2. What had been a relatively then successful season, it had ended with Rovers winning 4 and losing 3 of their last 7 games. So, for the new season, optimism burned bright.

An bright start to the season that year saw Rovers win 2-0 away at Sunderland in front of over 21,000 with goals from Jimmy Quinn and Mark Petterson before a home win, 2-1 against Norwich with goals from Faz and Garner was secured in front of just over 6000 hardy blue and white fans. The next game saw us draw with Shrewsbury at home (1-1) with Garner netting the goal.

So then.....we hit the road to Hull.

Hull had played 3 games as well, drawing 2 whilst I dont seem to have the record of the away game at Leeds United. What is clear then, is that their home game at home to Portsmouth had seen a home crowd of over 8000, so even back then, and in a county where Rugby was the leading brand, they still had a decent home support for football. They were managed by Brian Horton, and if you have the match programme, look at his face on page 3, its as if he has just had something other than a suppository popped up his anus !

The teams for that match.

ROVERS

Terry Gennoe, David Hamilton, Mick Rathbone, Simon Barker, David Mail, Derek Fazackerly, Ian Miller, Mark Patterson, Jimmy Quinn, Simon Garner, Noel Brotherston.

Hull City

Tony Norman, Richard Jobson,Lawrie Pearson,Gary Swan,Peter Skipper,Stan McEwan,Neil Williams,Frankie Bunn, Billy Whitehurst,Billy Askew and Garreth Roberts.

My recollection of the game isnt that good. It finished 2-2 with Barker and Patterson scoring for Rovers, and us settling for a point.

It didnt do us too bad as Rovers then went on a decent run of games. They only lost 3 of the next 14 games, taking 5 draws and 6 wins. However, the season saw us finish in 19th spot in the league and the 3-1 fional day of the season win at home to Grimsby seeing us survive.

Looking back all those years got me thinking about what had happened to those Rovers players (and a few of the Hull players), so after a bit of research, here is a brief summary.

T Gennoe - made himself a Rovers legend. Staunch keeper who, like a modern day Brad Friedel, will always be revered by supporters of BRFC. He made his way to the top of the goalkeeping coaches list but has recently retured through a bak injury. Ended up with both Newcastle and Celtic reaping the benefits of his coaching skills.

David Hamilton - played for Rovers until he left for Wigan. Not much known about him but he has recently turned out for Rovers legends in the Sky tournaments.

Mick Rathbone - trusty full back is now a top physio with Everton having carried on playing at North End.

Simon Barker - made Rovers history when he elected to sign for QPR for some £400,000 many many moons ago. He is currently working for The FA and was a recent visitor to Ewood Park when conducting a half time draw. How Rovers could do with a player of his ilk in our side.

David Mail - A player who actually played for both teams. Signed from Villa he became a valued member of our team but was later sold to Hull City. Now working in youth football as a coach.

Derek Fazackerly - another all time Rovers legend. Currently an ex-England coach but has a high standing in the game.

Ian Miller - known as "Windy" and is a coach these days at youth/reserve and academy levels. Provided the cross that saw Rovers win the Full Members Cup at Wembley.

Mark Patterson - local lad from Darwen who made good. Hit the headlines for domestic reasons and financial reasons recently but anyone who meets him will say he is a good down to earth lad.

Jimmy Quinn - quite possibly is the most ever hated number 9 to ever don our colours. A player who went onto make it internationally and who secured big money moves to the likes of West Ham. Recently sacked as a manager in the lower leagues but still made a success of his talents.

Simon Garner - TRUE Rovers legend, Rovers highest goalscorer, painter and decorator, radio pundit and part time jailbird.

Noel Brotherston - Legend who sadly is no longer with us. This Irishman lit up the gloomy days at Ewood with his skill, his goals, his chatty voice and hair do.

Of the Hull Players....

Tony Norman - goalkeeper. Featured in a porn film I believe but cannot be corroborated. Played for Sunderland.

Richard Jobson - Local lad went onto play for Oldham, Leeds, Man City and even made an England "b" team. Now works for the PFA.

Gary Swann - went onto sign for PNE before making over 670 appearances in the football league. Now works in a sports centre somewhere down Saaarf.

Frankie Bunn - famously scored 6 goals in a cup game for Oldham. Now coach at Coventry.

Billy Askew - Some Rovers fans will recall him being on loan to Rovers in 1981/82. A player with ginger hair who is now coaching at Darlington.

Billy Whitehurst - Who can ever forget this big lump of a player. An ex brickie with hands the size of shovels who could score goals with either feet or his head. Everyone hated him and it is not a widely know fact that he has been a bare knuckled fighter, fraudster, doorman and now is a part time builder.

I have mentioned a couple of players who have played for both teams and it is hard to see many others. An exception to the rule is Bob Dewhurst. A previous Rovers prodigy, BOB went onto make a name for himself wearing the colours of HCFC.

What do we know of the recent years about Hull City ?

Well, they made it up last season courtesy of the efforts of a well drilled side under the tutilidge of Phil Bown, ex Bolton wanderers full back and big big mate of our own Sam Allardyce. Using a battering ram in the form of Dean Largeass, I mean Windass, they secured promotion and have now got their hands on a nice new stadium which is called The KC Stadium. They have spent some big money and have a variety of players from different backgrounds. A mixture of youth, foreign and experience are amongst their ranks and some say that Hull now resemble Sams then Bolton team. They certainly know how to mix it up, they can score and can play football.

Under the new regime, Hull are a club with little debts. They have recently spent big money on a crock called Bullard, however, they cant be condemned as all clubs make poor signings at some point in time ! Hull have caused mayhem in the league this season, bucking the trend set by clubs who get promoted from the Championship. They find themselves on a downward spiral but have the points in the bag that might just see them survive, Rovers own predicament is much more perilous, so 3 points is a must for all things Blue and White.

They visited Rovers early this season and snatched a point after Rovers fans had actually witnessed a miracle. That mircale saw Jason Roberts scoring a goal after a 1 on 1 with an opposition keeper. However, not to be undone, Hull took a point with a header from a player (Garcia) who had no idea the ball had connected with his head and little idea that it had actually gone and looped over the keepers head. Rovers fans, unhappy at that moment, have since consoled themselves in the knowledge that Hulls away from at that time was fantastic with wins away at every ground other than our own Ewood Park.

Another intrigueing fact about Hull is that they once had the most hated dingle ever in their ranks. Older fans amongst us had to bear witness on one occasion to Andy Peyton scoring a winning goal at Ewood whilst playing for Hull and even I have to concede that it was a good goal even if it was scored by that muppet.

If I have to say anything disparaging about Hull, its the colour of their kit. Its simply shocking IMO. Gold and black, burned orange or whatever. If you have a few drinks, your eyesight suffers such is the colour.

I would imagine that the 2000 or so Rovers fans will be made welcomed to Hull. Its a massive City that has undergone remarkable transformations. You now have access to a marina where drinks can be taken at leisure. The City itself has improved tenfold and is now considered "safe" enough for shopping whilst the night life is believed to be something else. Something else that I have learned since I began typing, there are currently some 20000 brand new cars parked dockside, no buyers, no hope of sales. Apparently, if you have some spare cash and a vehicle transporter, its 3 for the price of 1 !

As Rovers trek North, I find myself entering another year on my life clock. Rovers should really be able to give me a belated birthday present of 3 points and I hope that they do. Its a difficult time, especially as it is so tight down the bottom. We well may find ourselves bottom of the league if results conspire against us so we simply have to win the game.

There is no Q and A for this preview. Its a little different with a trek down memory lane.

Enjoy the read and I am certain that for those supporters who have ever been to the Old Boothferry Park, it makes one smile when you compare that ground to the current ground of a team for example, like Portsmouth.

For travellers, have a safe journey.

Rovers to win 1-0

[philipl]

What a great read 1864!

I was at that 2-2 game at Boothferry having travelled up from London. My outstanding recollection was that Rovers had been quietly on top without threatening the Tigers' goal and then mid-second half fould ourselves 2 down- both from driven headers from the edge of the area into the far corner where Gennoe was unable to reach; quite extraordinary!

I think Barker's goal came with about 15 minutes left after a sweet passing move totally out of character for the game setting up a well hit strike from just outside the area. Patterson's equaliser five minutes from time was an overhead bicycle kick.

We badlt need a win from this game!

[Hullrover]

Super Atko played for the Tigers a few years ago.

Glen Keeley scored a cracking own goal from a diving header around the penalty spot in 1976(or thereabouts) to secure a 0-1 defeat; that was a long trip home to Lancaster!

Have lived in Hull now for just over 30 years and only ever went to Boothferry Park to watch them play against Rovers, except once when they played Grimsby and we needed Hull to win (i think it was 2-2 in old 3rd division), and once when one o't nippers had a free ticket from school(Rovers were playing Grimsby at home and commentary was on radio humberside - i think we won; i was the only person shouting. It was so dull it reminded me of Rovers v Orient or Cambridge).

Will be paying 1st visit to KC next week.

MASSIVE GAME.

A win is fully expected.

[tony gale's mic]

It would be typical Rovers for us to produce such a good performance at OT then capitulate at the KC.

1-1 I think.

[Hughesy]

2-0 Rovers.

Id go 4-4-2 for the game

-----------------Robbo------------------

Ooijer-----Samba----Nelsen-----Givet

Diouf-------Dunn----Gorilla----Warnock

-----------Roberts----McCarthy

Time to drop Andrews, and give Gamst a spell on the sidelines.

[sanlorenzo]

2-0 Rovers.

Id go 4-4-2 for the game

-----------------Robbo------------------

Ooijer-----Samba----Nelsen-----Givet

Diouf-------Dunn----Gorilla----Warnock

-----------Roberts----McCarthy

Time to drop Andrews, and give Gamst a spell on the sidelines.

where is Rocky? 2 goals in 2 matches. What are you smoking?

[philipl]

Provided he is fit, Roque is a certain starter now.

Looking at things from a Hull perspective, they now have two massive games that will determine their Premier League future. Wins against Spurs and us would see them to 35 points and within touching distance of safety.

On the other hand, from a Hull perspective the Rovers game has to be a "must not lose under any circumstances".

At least both clubs have tough midweek replays against lower division opposition and Hull's is a day later than our's. With this game being played on Sunday, once again I think we run the risk of being bottom at kick off.

[brightonrover]

We're going to this game and I'm hoping that we take a decent amount of fans to what is now one of the most important Premiership games in recent years.

[only2garners]

As Rovers trek North,

I wouldn't do that 1864, Hull is almost exactly due east of Blackburn. I'll be there with my youngest as long as I can get him out of bed for a 9.30 start. For some reason I never got to Boothferry Park so it's a first for us both.

[Majiball]

Good Read.

I don't say this often but for me this is must win. An away win would really boost the teams confidence and after yesterdays battling performance hopefully they can take it through to Hull.

We have to be taking points off the teams around us, results yesterday have been kind to us now we have to take advantage.

I'd like to see the 451 again we don't score many away so can't afford to concede.

I would however like to try something.

--------------Robbo----------------

Ooijer----Samba----Nelsen---Givet

-----------Tugay-----Axe----------

Diouf-----------Dunn-----------Benni

-----------------RSC-----------------

MGP and Warnock offered very little down the left yesterday. Some of Stevies crosses where awful and MGP should never take another corner. Givet impressed he can play there as I don't want to see a leader like Nelsen not on the pitch. Grella and andrews both lack vision and passing ability, Tugay's the only one we have who can spread the play. Aaron can just sit break up play/kick/foul and then pass it sideways to tugay.

Hopefully Benni can cut in from the left on his right boot. Sam was happy playing anelka out there, and whilst not his position at least it gets his finishing on the pitch, hopefully the three attacking midfielders can show a bit of interchange. As negative as it is those three would work well of RSC knock downs. Benni probably won't do much tracking back but he should be able to find quite a bit of space behind the full-back to exploit.

I think we now have to have three central midfielders we're so weak here no combination has a 90 minutes shelf life, so lets throw in the extra body.

[Guest Kamy100]

Possibly the biggest game of this season thus far for us.

From the next three games (Hull, Everton and Fulham) we will need 7 points, I see the Hull game as a "must win". Hopefully we have taken confidence from the performance yesterday and if we can produce anything like we did second half against United then we'll get the 3 points.

I think that for away games the 4-5-1 system is the way to go, it gives solidity in midfield and Roque can play the lone striker role very well,

Going to be a tense but I am confident that we will get the 3 points.

[1864roverite]

Looks like Everton have just lost Arteta for the season - ligament injury

[Mr. E]

I'm predicting most people will say we'll win, so here's my early retort:

Have people not picked out how this season's script reads already? We play some decent football but lose, and people say "oh well as long as we keep playing like this, we'll be fine!" then the next game against someone we're supposed to beat we wither have to equalize in the last second or miss the winner with incredible misses, and once again people go on about how we'll be fine.

But our home this season has been the relegation zone, and now the only thing that matters is wins. Not good football, not "scraping draws", nothing else but 3 points. That is the only thing that needs to be commentated, but unfortunately under both Ince and BFS we have proven to be simply incapable of achieving victory. The players are not taking it seriously enough.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

1-1

[they_think_its_all_rover]

whilst I also recall the venom spat by locals at the visiting fans in blue and white.

You'll be welcomed with open arms at the KC - Although E1 (aka Chav corner) situated directly next to you to your left inside the KC will try to intimidate you and glare at you. Just ignore them - if you try to intimidate them back, they'll only persist in doing it even more and more - trust me, they never tire of it.

They were managed by Brian Horton, and if you have the match programme, look at his face on page 3, its as if he has just had something other than a suppository popped up his anus !

Brian Horton is now Phil Brown's assistant.

I have mentioned a couple of players who have played for both teams and it is hard to see many others. An exception to the rule is Bob Dewhurst. A previous Rovers prodigy, BOB went onto make a name for himself wearing the colours of HCFC.

Big Ben Burgess and Jon Walters spring to mind.

What do we know of the recent years about Hull City ?

Well, they made it up last season courtesy of the efforts of a well drilled side under the tutilidge of Phil Bown, ex Bolton wanderers full back and big big mate of our own Sam Allardyce. Using a battering ram in the form of Dean Largeass, I mean Windass, they secured promotion and have now got their hands on a nice new stadium which is called The KC Stadium. They have spent some big money and have a variety of players from different backgrounds. A mixture of youth, foreign and experience are amongst their ranks and some say that Hull now resemble Sams then Bolton team. They certainly know how to mix it up, they can score and can play football.

I'd say it way due to a slight injection of money from Paul Duffen, the Brown and Horton tactical partnership and Fraizer Campbell & Dean Windass' great on-the-field understanding of eachother.

They visited Rovers early this season and snatched a point after Rovers fans had actually witnessed a miracle. That mircale saw Jason Roberts scoring a goal after a 1 on 1 with an opposition keeper.

Bo Myhill in all honesty has been shocking this season, he seems to have let more in than he has saved - it seems psychological when you look at him this season - which is why Matt Duke has been playing in recent weeks.

A little story of Matt Duke - Last season Matt Duke was diagnosed with testicular cancer, but overcame the illness and since never playing regulary since his days at non-league Burton Albion, now finds himself as a starter in the Premier League.

If I have to say anything disparaging about Hull, its the colour of their kit. Its simply shocking IMO. Gold and black, burned orange or whatever. If you have a few drinks, your eyesight suffers such is the colour.

Amber - Motson said YELLOW at the start of the season and fans were outraged! even a Yank who has currently wrote an article on Hull City got the colour Amber right.

I would imagine that the 2000 or so Rovers fans will be made welcomed to Hull. Its a massive City that has undergone remarkable transformations. You now have access to a marina where drinks can be taken at leisure. The City itself has improved tenfold and is now considered "safe" enough for shopping whilst the night life is believed to be something else. Something else that I have learned since I began typing, there are currently some 20000 brand new cars parked dockside, no buyers, no hope of sales. Apparently, if you have some spare cash and a vehicle transporter, its 3 for the price of 1 !

As you will. I'll write a list of things for people to do and see, especially those arriving throughout the daytime on Saturday with nothing to do apart from wait till the night-time.

I'll also post up the best places to go for a night out - as it mainly depends on your age and the type of music you are into.

The city has always been safe to shop in! it is now considered safe to walk around at night, which is what I think you probably meant.

Oh and I think it'll be 2-2.

[ihtd]

You'll be welcomed with open arms at the KC - Although E1 (aka Chav corner) situated directly next to you to your left inside the KC will try to intimidate you and glare at you. Just ignore them - if you try to intimidate them back, they'll only persist in doing it even more and more - trust me, they never tire of it.

I'm ashamed to say i could name nearly everyone of those scum that sit in that corner causing trouble, i went to school with half of them unfortunately.

[they_think_its_all_rover]

I'm ashamed to say i could name nearly everyone of those scum that sit in that corner causing trouble, i went to school with half of them unfortunately.

They're not that bad. They just like to intimidate the away fans - They also found out not to do that against Millwall, otherwise you have a seat thrown at you.

[Ozz]

I went to the 2-2 game in 1985, 1864.

On official coach though, not Owens. Bloody rough back then, with an old derelict railway station along the disused side of the ground. Remember being impressed with the home stand opposite our end (which was like Burnden Park in that it had a supermarket built in. The double decker home stand looked out of place amongst all the old knackered bits around it.

[colin]

1864 Roverite,

Probably the best preview ever.

I take my hat off to you.

[1864roverite]

1864 Roverite,

Probably the best preview ever.

I take my hat off to you.

I thank you Sir

[No Nay Never]

More previews reflecting previous games between Rovers and opponents wouldn't go a miss. Good preview.

Now for the game don't ask me why but........

Hull 0-2 Rovers

Infront of a bumper away following, massive game etc, KC new ground.

[Iceman]

If only some of our performances were as good,as these previews

We need to get stuck in from the 1st min until the final whistle. Im going for a 0-2 win for Rovers as well.

[Mike Graham]

More previews reflecting previous games between Rovers and opponents wouldn't go a miss. Good preview.

Now for the game don't ask me why but........

Hull 0-2 Rovers

Infront of a bumper away following, massive game etc, KC new ground.

"bumper away folowing" I hope we do better than the 600 or 700 at OT on Saturday.

[jonv]

"bumper away folowing" I hope we do better than the 600 or 700 at OT on Saturday.

the 600 or 700 that where the only people that could be heard at OT on saturday at times.

very proud to hear and for the commentators to pick up on it was even more of a

[the original david brent]

the 600 or 700 that where the only people that could be heard at OT on saturday at times.

very proud to hear and for the commentators to pick up on it was even more of a

slightly off topic but I thought we'd more or less sold out our allocation of 1900 at OT on Saturday. I wasn't there, but the official site said we'd sold 1500 during the middle of last week, and the setanta commentator referred to the "1900 or so" fans.

As for hull, I know of 2 large groups making a weekend of it. Im guessing others may be doing the same, and so could be a half decent following.