Hull City owner Acun Ilicali says the club have identified a potential site that could become the new home for their academy, with the Turkish businessman set to run the rule over it on his next visit to the city.
Ilicali says City has earmarked a possible site near his home in North Ferriby, and it’s hoped the location will prove suitable to construct a purpose-built venue, which would see the club’s youth teams move away from Bishop Burton College.
The City chief, who will celebrate five years as owner in mid-January with the club now operating in the Premier League, says funds for the project will come from within its existing cost-base, and as it stands, won’t be funded through external sponsors.
Ilicali also reiterated that he, and more importantly, the players, are content with the current training ground at Cottingham. City’s existing training facility is often derided, but he says the players and staff enjoy the feel of the environment, and believe it has a unique soul which has helped them achieve promotion to the top flight, and flourish in the opening month.
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“We have one place near my house, and I’m very happy about it, and we can bring everything together, maybe,” he told the 1904 Club podcast. “We are discussing that. There is some land near my house. Also, there is one more option. We are trying to bring everything together and make a bigger facility.
“There is one favourite place, and when I come (to Hull), I will visit and to understand whether we can do it or not. We are searching for a place. We can afford this facility; it’s not crazy numbers, and if we find a good place, we can do it, so it’s not a problem.
“Apart from staying in the league, the academy is one of my most important concerns. I don’t want the boys to be in that place with so much wind and cold, and transportation is very important. About this, I’m very focused.”
The club spent significant money over the summer to meet Premier League requirements, including upgraded media facilities, hospitality and the MKM Stadium pitch, while the club remain keen to create a space similar to what Ilicali enjoyed with City’s fans before the Wembley victory at Boxpark. Ilicali says conversations continue with the city council over ongoing improvements and the lease.
“We spent quite a lot of money this summer to make the standards equal to the Premier League; the council is always helping us,” continued the Turkish businessman. “They are helpful, from the first minute I arrived at Hull City, they have been very warm, and they know that this team makes people happy, the people of Hull happy. They have the vision and support. We will improve.”
While the Tigers’ training ground retains a similar facade to their last Premier League adventure a decade ago and is often criticised externally, Ilicali points out that the players feel at home in their surroundings.
Clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City may boast two of the best training grounds in Europe at Spurs Lodge and Seagrave, but fancy venues do not guarantee success as their league placings show, with the owner highlighting how close-knit the environment is, adding that he will continue to invest at Cottingham if the club stay in the top flight.
“About the training ground, I don’t have any plans for this year because we invested in the pitches, and they are perfect now. That’s enough for this year,” he explained.
“Our boys really enjoy our training ground. Our training ground is cosy, and it has the X-Factor that everybody is happy. They’re closer to each other. We renewed the dressing rooms and gym when we bought the club. The gym is Premier League standard, and the dressing room is of a high standard. The only problem is that it’s not a big space for the players. Instead of having all the glamour, I would prefer a cosy place where they can enjoy and talk together.
“If we stay up, there should be investment for them (the players) to have more space, but this is the only thing. I’ve never seen any player complaining about our facilities; all our boys enjoy it. We have always wanted our players to feel like it’s home.”
You can listen to the full episode of the 1904 Club right here, or watch on YouTube.
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