Hull City boss wants to end FC ground share

Hull City manager Marco Silva has hit out at the ground share agreement they have with Hull FC.

There was criticism of the KCOM Stadium pitch today as the club played Swansea City in the Premier League less than 24 hours after Hull FC played St Helens in Super League.

The stadium is owned by Hull City Council and both teams have a long lease allowing them to play there, but Silva feels the arrangement is unworkable as his side battle to stay in the Premier League.

He told reporters: “One team plays rugby on the Friday and then we play, for me it’s impossible at this level. I’ve said this to our board. It’s impossible.”

Ironically Hull’s opponents today, Swansea City, also share their ground with a Rugby side (Ospreys RU), and the Ospreys have been made to switch next months Euro Challenge Cup Quarter Final due to a fixture clash.

Swansea’s Coach Paul Clement had sympathy for the Tigers Chief stating: “It’s not ideal, when you have any game the night before a Premier League game, in my opinion it’s not right.”

This controversy comes only two weeks after Wigan had to switch their game against Widnes away from the DW Stadium due to a football game being played at the stadium the day after, and again brings the spotlight on clubs sharing grounds with football sides.

For the record, whilst Hull FC have been at the KCOM Stadium for 14 years, Marco Silva has been manager of Hull City for 9 weeks.