Hull City sponsor: 'I had to go through' with protest against owners Assem and Ehab Allam
Sunday 11 December 2016 20:35, UK
The match sponsor who protested against Hull City's owners on Saturday says he "had to go through with it" so to show that "the Allams are not untouchable".
John Oxley's company Wolds Engineering Service Limited were the main match sponsor for the 3-3 draw at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
And he used the pre-match sponsorship photo-call to display banners calling for the Allams' exit in the KCOM Stadium's centre-circle.
Assem and Ehab Allam have overseen a troubled stint as Hull's owners, attempting to change the club's name while overseeing a significant drop in attendances despite promotion to the Premier League.
Oxley, who was immediately ejected from the stadium, told the Hull Daily Mail on Sunday: "There was a lot of soul-searching before I did it, but it is something I feel that strongly about that I felt I had to go through with it."
"I feel there is a bit of apathy among many Hull City fans. It's as if it is accepted that the Allams are untouchable and nothing the fans do will make a difference. I wanted to show that's not the case.
"The situation drives me to despair and I wanted to do something publicly that would put the spotlight on the situation.
"The national media don't understand the situation and you see them on Match of the Day talking about empty seats,
without any real concept of why we have lower gates than we did in the old fourth division, 10 years ago.
"I've sponsored a game in December for over 10 years now and I knew this was my opportunity, but it wasn't a decision I made easily. I was very nervous walking onto the pitch, knowing what I was about to do.
"I'd gone to the extreme of wrapping the banner around myself before we went to the game in case I was searched and then I went to the toilet and took it off and stuffed it in my pocket ready to go on the pitch.
"I took a big risk but hopefully this can kick-start something among the fans again and hopefully raise the profile for City fans and increase the pressure on the owners."
