World Football Club Crests

Established in 1904, Hull City soon adopted the nickname of the Tigers because of their amber and black shirts. In 2008 they finally reached the top division for the first time in their history thanks to a goal from Dean Windass which won the Championship Play-Off final.

On 20 June, 2014, Hull City AFC changed its emblem for the seventh time in the club’s history – a change that met with strong criticism from the fans. The new emblem did keep with tradition in displaying the classic tiger head that has become synonymous with Hull, but it lacked the name of the club, Hull City AFC. This was a bold decision in an already sensitive affair.

The businessman Assem Allam had long wanted to change the name of the club from Hull City AFC to Hull Tigers. He felt both that the name City was too commonplace and that the nickname Tigers would be easier to market on the continent. The fans, led by the organisation City Till We Die, opposed the plan and handed in petitions to the FA. English football’s governing body now acted as judge and jury, and in April 2014 denied Allam permission to change the club’s name.

It was a victory for the protesting fans. But Allam didn’t give up. and two months later he changed the emblem without consulting the fans, and reneging on the promise announced in a press release in August 2013. This further enraged the supporters. City Till We Die released the following statement: ‘We are deeply disappointed that the club has changed the emblem without consulting us. There is no reason to change a badge which has been worn proudly by the club’s players, which has taken part in four promotions, played in the Premier League and an FA Cup final.

CLUB: Hull City AFC

NICKNAME: The Tigers

FOUNDED: 1904

STADIUM: KCOM Stadium, Kingston upon Hull (25,450 capacity)

HISTORIC PLAYERS: Andy Davidson, Chris Chilton, Ken Wagstaff, Dean Windass and Geovanni

1935–1947. Although the club was founded in 1904 it wasn’t until 1935 that the first emblem was introduced. As Hull City AFC was the only football team in town, the club’s badge was inspired by Kingston upon Hull’s crest. The origin of the three crowns is unclear, but there is speculation that they symbolise the three wise men. This emblem was worn only during the 1935/36 season but came to symbolise the club for a long time thereafter.

1947–1975. Hull’s nickname, the Tigers, was established long before the tiger itself appeared in their emblem. It originates from the orange and black worn by the team ever since the club was founded. In 1947 the club’s then board wanted to emphasise the connection by introducing Hull’s first tiger emblem. The shield around the tiger disappeared in 1957, but the tiger head remained until 1975.

1998–2003. Between 1975 and 1998, Hull tested out a number of variations on the emblem. For a couple of seasons the team was represented simply by the club initials: HCAFC. At the end of the 1990s a new logo was introduced, one that had been designed by the student James Hinchcliffe, the son of one of the club’s earlier owners. It emphasised the club’s connection to the area, reinstating the three crowns and now including the landmark Humber Bridge.

2003–2014. In spring 2003, Hull City left its old stadium, Boothferry Park, and moved into the newly built KCOM Stadium. To mark the event and to illustrate the modernising of the club, this emblem was launched, which includes both the club’s name and its nickname. In summer 2013, AFC was removed from the emblem – much to the displeasure of the fans.

2014–present. Hull had just played their first FA Cup final (losing 3-2 to Arsenal) and so qualified for European football for the first time. Away from the pitch, the owner Assem Allam lost the battle for the club name. He responded by erasing the club name in the updated crest. The first season with this new emblem didn’t work out too well, ending with the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

Hull City player Raich Carter in 1952 with the first tiger club crest. In addition to making 136 appearances for the club, the inside forward later managed the team, leading them to the Division Three North title. Carter was also a talented county cricketer.