Barclays Promotion/Hull City Visit
I was personally invited by Barclay’s Bank and their promotion of Premier League Football to Hull City as recognition for my time in football.
I was delighted that I was able to share this with students and staff from Sirius Academy. Students from the academy who either played for the academy or who had deserved to be included in the visit. All students were ardent Hull City fans.
I was also accompanied by Mrs. Julie Watson.
The afternoon was a ‘Question and Answer’ session with two players Liam Rosenior and Curtis Davies.
We were housed in the Press Office. In a week which was going to prove dramatic to the club in trying to maintain their premiership status, we were not sure what to expect.
However, the afternoon turned out to be a most interesting one- a two-way process of questioning and information in which our students excelled. They certainly did not hold back!
In a ‘delicate week’ for many reasons, both players were sincere and professional with our students. They treated every question with respect and this was a credit to them and their profession and to Hull City. Questions ranged from their opinions on ‘change of club name?’ to ‘grandmas living locally?’ Whatever was asked was met with enthusiasm and total honesty.
The session lasted a whole hour with all of our students ‘chipping’ in and asking questions and it was wonderful to see them all excited and intrigued by having their own session with the players. The spokesperson for the group became apparent in Charlie Brooks- I think he must have had an adrenaline rush! This was closely followed by Julie Watson jumping out of her seat when Curtis Davies replied to a question that one of the sports he played at school was ‘rounders!’
After the ‘Q and A’ there was a photograph session- both individual and as a group were taken with both players and any further memorabilia signed.
The group was then conducted to a tour of the ground by the Press Officer Stewart McCullagh, who was excellent all-round in socialising with students and staff alike and very accommodating. Students were shown where players and managers had their interviews during and after games; into home and away changing rooms; and told where players sat and some of their habits and superstitions before a game; to pitch side where photographs were taken again.
It turned out to be a great afternoon and a memorable one for all concerned.
Special thanks first of all to all of our students who were exemplary; Charlie Brooks;Emily Andrews; Jack Tanser; Josh Kinsley; Harry Storr; Jordan Worner; Levi Lewis ;Calum Riley; Holly Dodsworth; Thomas Stabler; Bongani Methema; Lee Jasper and to Julie. To Lewis Miles and Katie at Barclays –but especially to Liam Rosenior ; Curtis Davies and Stewart McCullagh for being magnificent and totally professional !
Thank-you must also go to John Sherwood – Head of School and Dr.Cathy Taylor – Executive Principal for allowing me the privilege to attend this occasion.
Cosi Basile.
