Source: Team_Talk
Hull chief hits out over Duffen reign
Hull chairman Adam Pearson used his programme notes on Wednesday night to launch a scathing attack on his predecessor Paul Duffen.[LNB] Duffen took over from Pearson in June 2007 and led Hull into the top flight before resigning in October with the club reportedly in financial difficulty, with Pearson subsequently returning to his previous role.[LNB]While not confirming that administration is inevitable should the Tigers return to the Championship, Pearson's strongly-worded piece spelled out just how important survival is to Hull.[LNB]"The prospect of relegation should not need to be the doomsday scenario that everyone currently discusses and worries about," he wrote in the programme for the Aston Villa game.[LNB]"The financial planning just needed a bit of basic strategy and common sense applying to it back in summer 2008 and even more so when the team survived on the last day of the season in 2009.[LNB]"In my personal opinion the decisions made by Mr Duffen at that point were extremely short-sighted and lacking in business sense and specific football knowledge.[LNB]"He seems, albeit with the advantage of hindsight, to have had no understanding of the industry, Hull City AFC or the city of Hull itself.[LNB]"The problems which were apparent throughout 2009 should have been at the forefront of the summer transfer and business dealings. Instead, the wage bill was increased even further.[LNB]"The safety valve of pragmatic realism was cut off and the club under Mr Duffen spent money it didn't have.[LNB]"This is not ambition or 'giving it a go' or 'living the dream', it is, in my personal view, poor business sense and lack of moral responsibility.[LNB]"Just under £6million spent on agents' fees in two years and the deal breakdown and size of agent payments is morally abhorrent.[LNB]"A wage bill of just under £40million when the club turnover is £50million in the Premier League. These figures, added to the significant transfer fees owed, clearly show that the maths don't add up."[LNB]Addressing the supporters, he added: "Of course the future is very tricky, it's bound to be when you consider the figures I mentioned earlier. The club desperately needs to stay in this league."
