To Hull and back

Hull City 4-1 Darlington

Nationwide Division Three

Saturday August 9th 2002, 3pm

Darlo won the last ever match at Boothferry Park, last season to take the edge off the day for a full house. Now as expected, they start the season at a new stadium - Hull's.

Simon Betts' goal and a brave rearguard action, with Craig Liddle red carded, secured the second successive win. And we completed the double at Feethams on Easter Monday. Historically, we have a good record at Hull - four wins in seven visits - but it is a tough opener against a side which has spent a fair bit in an attempt to pull themselves out of the mediocrity of the last three seasons.

Taylor-made

Hull manager Peter Taylor, who's also ex-Leicester and Brighton boss of course, couldn't prevent another season of underachievement. You feel his job will be on the line if, after a Summer of overhaul with his squad, he doesn't get off to a flying start.

Former Spurs youngster Alton Thelwell and striker Danny Allsopp are among the recruits, although Jamie Forrester is injured. With the new stadium set-up, pressure from fans and the board's legendary impatience, it's a make or break year for the Tigers, who were inevitably installed as favourites for promotion.

Man to watch
Danny Allsopp Australian signed from Notts County pre-season, the ex-Man City youngster is capable of scoring goals.

Full match previews on the D@rlo Uncovered and The Tinshed websites.

How others see us
"Darlington at home could not possibly be an easier opening game for City, and we cannot afford the sort of stuttering start that has undermined our seasons since time immemorial. Although they are going to struggle horribly this season, they will at least have the the privilege of playing in front of loads of people in a magnificent stadium on Saturday. Their monstrous white elephant (the side-splittingly monickerd "Reynolds Arena") will exceed The Circle in terms of capacity, though is inferior in design and certain to attract far smaller crowds. 3,200 for Darlington v Torquay in a 27,000 stadium? Sounds ace, that. Their chairman is a total buffoon, their manager a no-one and the summer spending nil, they're in danger of having the largest stadium in the Conference. An amusing prospect."The Amber Nectar

Ground and ticket prices This will be be the first chance to visit Hull's impressive-looking new 25,000-seater stadium which they moved to after last December's match with Darlo. Click for PDF map of ground

The council-owned KC Stadium, shared with the city's declining force of rugby league, was built in a "bowl" design as part of a £45m sports and leisure complex on the site of an old cricket ground off Anlaby Road near the railway station. It was financed by the council, following the windfall from the sale of their share in a telecoms company.

Away fans are housed in the North Stand behind the goal, with tickets £15 (£8), a decent view and good facilities. The programme was £2.50 (2003/2004). Disabled places in 10 elevated viewing decks for up to 150 wheelchair users, throughout the stadium. 300 seats with handrails and armrests for people with mobility problems. All seats have induction loops for people with a hearing or visual impairment.

Click for Streetmap of ground

Anything worth adding? Please e-mail us any suggestions.

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By car The KC Stadium is s closer to the city than the old ground. Take the A63 sign-posted Hull City Centre, under the Humber Bridge. The road continues into the Clive Sullivan Way. Turn off onto the slip road just before the fly-over, sign-posted "Local Traffic/Infirmary"and for KC Stadium. Take city centre route for parking.

There are residents' only parking restrictions around the stadium, so parking in the city centre is recommended at Pryme Street (there are signs from here to walk to the ground), St Stephen’s Street Francis St, Mason St, Osborne St and George St. There is also free parking at a Park and Ride at Priory Park (near Sainsbury), with £1 fare on the 701 bus to the city centre. More parking suggestions and map on Hull City Online

Trains and buses

Trains: The stadium isn't too far from the railway station, but ignore suggestions it's a 10-15 minute walk, allow 20-25 minutes. The route is well sign-posted from Londesborough Street/Argyle St. Out of the railway station you can cut through the coach station next door and a courtyard into St Stephen's Street, past an office block on the right and take a right at the end and first left into Londesborough Street. (Alternatively, take the main Anlaby Road the other side of the railway station and right into Argyle Street to join with Londesborough Street). You can see the stadium ahead of you. At the end of this road, cross over onto a footbridge over the railway line and a second footbridge, leading to the stadium appeoach. The away turnstiles are to the right.

Darlington (sugg): 11.13-York (11.41), 11.49 arr Hull 12.51. Duration: 1hr 38 mins. Return: Hull 17.26-York (18.39), 17.26-arr 19.25 Dur: 1hr 59 mins or 18.43-Yorkr (19.42) 19.50-arr 20.17, Dur: 1hrs 34 mins

Taxis

Darlington FC Supporters Club
Coach time 11.15am, £10.50. Contact: 01325 243911. See Darlington Supporters' Club for more details.

The city centre has enough going on and the marina quarter is worth a visit. If staying over, apart from plenty of choice to eat and drink, there's a chance to look at the sharks at The Deep ocean marine centre (£8.50, £4 conc, 10am-6pm, on the riverside, No90 bus from station or a fairly easy walk) and the Hull New Theatre. It's also the climax of the city's week-long jazz festival, with events at the Truck theatre.

Tourist Information Centre, 1 Paragon Street, Tel: (01482) 223559 E-mail or Tourism website

Plenty of places to eat and drink in the city centre, but be a bit wary of pubs near the ground - which are "home only."

The new stadium means it's worth trying the better city centre and marina pubs from now on, rather than the traditional The Fiveways, 317 Boothferry Rd, off roundabout, near the old ground.

The Minerva, Nelson Street
Marina pub (pictured right), right on the quayside overlooking the estuary - a great view - this maritime pub has several real ales in several small rooms and good food. Sky TV and seats outside for the good weather Click for streetmap Ten minutes walk from the station and half an hour's walk from the stadium. DAFTS recommended.

The city centre is lively and has plenty of choice, from cafe-bar-style places to traditional pubs and the usual chains. There is also a Hull virtual pub crawl site, for more suggestions.

On the outskirts of the city centre, not too far east from the stadium, is the Tap And Spile West Parade Click for streetmap It's got a good local reputation as a real ale pub, with a wide selection of beers and cider, as well as whisky and fruit wines.

A personal favourite if you have the time, is the Old English Gentleman, Mason St, nr the New Theatre, which had a cosy atmosphere, old theatrical photos and memorabilia and last but not least, decent real ale.

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Surfing there...

There's a pretty good guide for away fans on the excellent Hull City Online, which includes an away fans guide, while the Official site is OK, much better is the comprehensive Amber Nectar fanzine, with full details of their new stadium, as has the Rivals website, The Hull City Independent. For finding your way around the city, the local council's website is fullsome and superb.

Next away matches:
Bradford City (Carling League Cup, Tues Aug 12)
Northampton Town (Fri Aug 22)

Hull City FC:
0870 8370004

No responsibility is taken for accuracy, if in doubt check before travelling.

© DAFTS 2003