Hull FC chairman provides update on potential stadium move following Hull City takeover

Hull FC chairman Adam Pearson has given an important update concerning the MKM Stadium following the takeover of football side Hull City.

Turkish businessman Acun Ilicali recently purchased the Tigers for £30 million and instantly there were questions raised about how this would affect Hull FC.

Now, though, having spoken to the new director of football at City, Tan Kesler, FC chairman Adam Pearson is confident the two clubs can move forward.

“I think it’s great for Hull City, you can feel the enthusiasm and positivity around the stadium,” Pearson told BBC Sports Talk.

“They’ve got a good chance of moving up the leagues and I think the time was ready for a change.

“I was very impressed with Tan, he’s a very smart cookie and it’ll be challenging putting together a new deal  for the club with Tan as he’s got a grasp of things already in the way it’s structured.

“I feel it will be a fair challenge and hopefully we can get a deal for Hull FC that will take us beyond the six years that we’ve got left (on the MKM Stadium lease) and a rate we can afford.”

Pearson believes that the change in ownership will benefit both clubs and that he a move away from the MKM Stadium is less likely now.

“The stadium was meant to be the home of Hull FC and at times over the past five or six years it hasn’t felt so.

“We are looking forward to a good working relationship with Tan and if it is challenging but fair we can ask for no more.

“I’d say it’s less likely (that Hull will move out), the funding is incredibly difficult for stadiums at the minute and then the ongoing costs.

“We’re encouraged that we can have a positive relationship withe new owners and if we can get something that works sfor them and us then we would like to stay there.

“We’ve dropped to 6,00o members which is a problem as the stadium will look big if we are down to that gate but then it comes down to myself and the team to fill that back up again.”

Hull FC begin their 2022 Super League season away at Wakefield Trinity on Sunday afternoon.