Hull City Supporters’ Trust Announces Project to Preserve Original Kop

The Hull City Supporters’ Trust has initiated an undertaking to excavate and safeguard a section of the football club’s initial Anlaby Road stadium. According to the trust, the Spion Kop, established in 1906, represents the sole remaining unaltered open terrace for football supporters from that period in the United Kingdom. Preliminary investigations have commenced to ascertain the structural integrity of the Kop’s rear concrete wall before any site clearing operations proceed. A “Walk of Legends” will be incorporated into the initiative, displaying the names of individuals who have contributed to its realization. Construction of this Kop predated that of its renowned counterpart at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium by a short period. Chris Smith, the lead project director, stated: “The trust is set to apply to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a significant grant towards what might well be a million-pound project, including access walkways, signage, lighting, seating and landscaping.” Nick Thompson, chairman of the supporters’ trust, commented: “We are now appealing to Hull City supporters to back this passion project by becoming members of the Spion Kop 1906 Club to raise the necessary target to match the Heritage Fund’s support.” The trust announced that Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, became the inaugural member following his substantial financial input to the initiative from the Leader’s Contingency Fund. As a permanent recognition of their support, the names of all Spion Kop 1906 Club members and/or their ancestors will be cut out of the metal non-slip treadplate Walk of Legends. Mr. Thompson stated: “The trust has received generous support, in kind, from the football club but it’s the individual supporters and the local business community that we are relying on to kick the project towards the final whistle.”