HULL CITY TIMELINE

 
With huge thanks to Hull City, Hull Daily Mail, TigerTube (@TigerTubePlayer) and Nick Turner (@TigersEarly) for their references and assistance with this page
News clippings courtesy of the British Newspaper Arhive (@BNArchive)

Club Manager Boardroom Player Fixture Other

SELECT A DECADE :

Previous decade Next decade

1980 - 1989
Thu
25th
Feb
1982 		Hull City - first League club to be placed into receivership

As the first Football League club to ever be placed into receivership - Hull City fans respond to receiver Martin Spencer`s calls for support by doubling the previous home gate, for the following game - a 2-0 win against Mansfield.
Wed
3rd
Mar
1982 		Mike Smith sacked by receivers with 7 players also gone

Due to the clubs financial circumstances, receiver Martin Spencer sacks manager Mike Smith, assistant Cyril Lea, Commercial Manager Gordon Dimbleby , and 7 players - Billy Whitehurst, Nick Deacy, Dennis Booth, John Davies, Brian Ferguson, Micky Horswill and Dale Roberts - all other players are given free transfers. Chris Chilton and Bobby Wilson are put in temporary charge of the team
Sat
15th
May
1982 		Don Robinson announced as principal shareholder of Hull City AFC & players out

Hull Daily Mail reports that Don Robinson will be the new majority shareholder of Hull City AFC after a long speculation. Described as a leisure business millionaire, Mr Robinson is announced by Christopher Needler - who also announces a plan to purchase Boothferry Park through a recreational foundation in memory of the late Harold Needler, former owner of Hull City. In the same day, City announce contracts will not be extended for Tony Norman, Billy Whitehurst and others
Tue
8th
Jun
1982 		Colin Appleton announced as new manager of Hull City

New chairman Don Robinson announces that Colin Appleton will be the new manager of the Tigers, coming in after a successful spell at Scarborough.
Sat
30th
Apr
1983 		Promotion from Tier 4 sealed at Sealand Road

After Don Robinson takes over, comes a rare highlight in the 1980s as City win promotion from Tier 4 with a 0-0 draw at Chester City. Colin Appletons men include notables such as Steve McClaren, Brain Marwood, Emlyn Hughes, Billy Whitehurst, Les Mutrie, Gareth Roberts and Peter Skipper more info
Tue
15th
May
1984 		Appleton resigns as manager

After City fail to secure promotion despite winning at Burnley, Colin Appleton resigns immediately after the match to take up a position at Swansea. City had been resident in the top 3 until January, but then slipped down to 4th place, losing out on promotion by just 2 goals
Mon
11th
Jun
1984 		Brian Horton accepts role as Player-Manager of Hull City

ex-Luton Town captain Brian Horton is named by chairman Don Robinson as the new player-manager of Hull City. Horton then pays his own way to fly to Florida, to watch City in action against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Anglo-American cup and meet his new team
Sat
4th
May
1985 		Champagne flows as Tigers promoted to Tier 2

Under the stewardship of player-manager Brian Horton and assistant Dennis Booth, City are promoted to Division 2 after an away win at Walsall, with two games to spare. Chairman Don Robinson celebrates before the following Home game against York City by handing out champagne to the City faithful in the stands. City just failed to seal promotion on the final day of the previous season under Colin Appleton, who then moved on to Swansea City more info
Fri
2nd
May
1986 		Last regular train leaves Boothferry Park Halt

After the club object to paying British Rail £200 per month to maintain Boothferry Park Halt, the platform is closed for safety reasons after the match against Brighton. Infrequent trains were run when the demand was higher (eg. local derbies and big Cup games) - but the very last of these was on September 16th 1989, when the club requested a train to take away some rowdy Leeds United fans. (The picture depicts loco `55013` passing through in 1979, 55019 was the highest attendance at BP)
Tue
12th
Apr
1988 		Brian Horton sacked

After a defeat by Swindon, Brian Horton is sacked as manager of Hull City. Despite announcing that he was experimenting with the team, and being given the support of Don Robinson - patience finally snapped after a poor defeat, and Horton was gone.
Mon
13th
Jun
1988 		ex-Leeds manager Eddie Gray appointed as new Manager

After a short period under temporary managers Dennis Booth and Tom Wilson, Eddie Gray is announced as new Manager. Booth stays on, despite being disappointed that he didnt get the position which he had also applied for.
Sat
20th
May
1989 		Eddie Gray dismissed after one season as manager - Dennis Booth also sacked

Managerial pair of Eddie Gray, and assistant Dennis Booth are both sacked by Don Robinson after a bad run of results - 1 win out of the last 18 league games - leaves Hull City in 21st place in the league. This brings to an end a long association for Dennis Booth with the club
Mon
22nd
May
1989 		Colin Appleton returns for second spell as Manager

Just 48 hours after sacking Eddie Gray and Dennis Booth - Don Robinson appoints Colin Appleton again as manager. Appleton leaves Bridlington Town to take up the role.
Sat
28th
Oct
1989 		Don Robinson resigns as Chairman, Richard Chetham steps in

After an eventful era for Hull City comes to an end, Don Robinson resigns hours after a poor defeat at home against Brighton and Hove Albion. Richard Chetham is appointed as successor. A decision on manager Colin Appleton was not taken at the time.
Tue
31st
Oct
1989 		Colin Appleton contract ended - Tom Wilson takes over as interim manager

In more shocking news, it emerges that Colin Appleton no longer has a contract at Hull City, after new chairman Richard Chetham, and Martin Fish state that it has been terminated. Tom Wilson steps in as interim manager as the new era begins
Wed
8th
Nov
1989 		Stan Ternent confirmed as manager of Hull City

After a short spell with Tom Wilson in temporary charge, Stan Ternent is announced as the new manager of Hull City. Ternent comes to Hull after serving as assistant manager under Steve Coppell, but will not take charge until after the Bradford game on 11th November, where Tom Wilson will oversee his last game, but remain at the club.
Previous decade Next decade

 

Footerbar

A D M I N - L O G I N

-------------------------------- (c) 2026 --------------------------------
TigerBase is a not-for-profit website, not affiliated to Hull City.
Designed, coded and maintained by Matt Wales.
If you like what you see, then please

UP THE TIGERS!