The 2021–22 season is Hull City Association Football Club's 118th year in their history and first season back in the Championship since 2019–20 following promotion last season. Along with the league, the club will also compete in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. The season covers the period from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.
Events
On 25 June 2021, the club announced that local based building supplies firm MKM Building Supplies Ltd. had agreed a 5-year sponsorship deal for the stadium and it was being renamed the MKM Stadium.[4]
On 8 July 2021, the EFL announced that the club were under a transfer embargo for "conditions under monitored loan agreement" which was arranged because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[7] The club later issued a statement to clarify the position.[8]
On 6 August 2021, the club released Jordan Flores from his contract, so he could join Northampton Town permanently,[13] rather than play there on a season-long loan deal.[14]
On 26 January 2022, it was announced that the club had repaid the EFL loan taken out because of the COVID-19 pandemic and thus the transfer embargo has been lifted.[45]
On 27 January 2022, Regan Slater of Sheffield United returned to the club after signing a two-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[46]
On 27 January 2022, Shota Arveladze was announced as the new head coach of the club, on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[49] The vice-chairman of the club was Tan Kesler.[50]
On 31 January 2022, Ryan Longman signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee, converting his loan from Brighton & Hove Albion into a permanent deal.[54]
On 31 January 2022, Marcus Forss joined the club on loan from Brentford until the end of the season.[55]
On 31 January 2022, Liam Walsh joined the club on loan from Swansea City until the end of the season.[56]
On 15 February 2022, James Rodwell was appointed as CEO of the club.[58]
On 5 March 2022, the East Stand of the MKM Stadium was renamed the Chris Chilton Stand, in honour of Hull City's all-time record goalscorer, Chris Chilton, ahead of the home fixture against West Bromwich Albion.[59]
On 5 March 2022, Callum Jones moved to Grimsby Town on a month-long loan spell, [60] but on 20 March 2022, he returned to Hull following a groin injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.[61]
On 1 May 2022, Matt Ingram joined Luton Town on an emergency seven-day loan to cover for James Shea who suffered a knee injury in the game against Cardiff City,[73][74] with Luton reaching the play-offs the loan was extended to 18 May.[75]
On 7 May 2022, Tony Pennock stepped down from the coaching staff after 8-years with the club.[76]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^Jordan Flores was later released from his contract and joined Northampton Town permanently.[13]
^On 18 January 2022, Jones was recalled back from his loan spell at Morecambe.[41]
^On 18 January 2022, Arthur was recalled back from his loan spell at Barrow.[42]
^On 14 January 2022, Andy Smith was recalled back from his loan at Salford City.[40]
^On 31 January 2022, Harry Wood was recalled back from his loan at Scunthorpe United.[52]
^On 30 December 2021, Hinds was recalled from his loan at Spalding United.[38]
^On 20 March 2022, Jones returned to Hull following a groin injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.[61]
Pre-season
Pre-season training started on 28 June 2021 at the club's Cottingham training ground.[98][99]
A week-long training camp follows in Scotland.[98]
The first friendly matches announced take place on 24 July, with a 12 o'clock home match against Mansfield Town, and a 3 o'clock away match at Glanford Park against Scunthorpe United.[98] A further friendly match was announced for 7 o'clock 30 July 2021 away to Sunderland.[100] On 27 July, a practice match against Manchester United U23s was also added to the schedule, to be held on 31 July 2021, behind closed doors.[101]
The first matches of the 2021–22 season are scheduled to take place on 7 August 2021 with the season concluding on the weekend of 7 to 8 May 2022.[106] Hull City's fixtures were revealed on 24 June 2021 and the season starts with an away match against Preston North End.[107] The season ends with a home match against Nottingham Forest.[107]
Hull City entered the competition in the third-round, the draw for which took place on 6 December 2021. Hull were drawn at home to Everton with the match taking place between 7 and 10 January 2022.[155]
The match was selected for live broadcast on BBC One.[156]
Hull City were in the northern section of the draw and were drawn at home to Wigan Athletic in the first round.[159][160] The match took place on 10 August 2021, and with few real chances in the first half. The second half saw an early attempt by Stephen Humphrys saved by Nathan Baxter. On 50-minutes a header by Humphrys was spilled by Baxter, but he was on hand to convert the rebound. Minutes later Keane Lewis-Potter brought Hull level with a shot from the edge of the area. With no more goals the match finished 1–1 and sent the game to a penalty shoot out. Fifteen penalties were converted, before Di'Shon Bernard sent his effort over the crossbar, leaving Jordan Cousins to put Wigan through to the second round.[161]
On 18 June 2021, the club unveiled the new home kit for the season, the shirts described as amber and "features a diagonal pattern with a striking black sash and stylised crew neckline, with 'Tigers' lettering on the back". The shorts are to be black with amber side panels while the socks are amber with black detail.[162] Local company Giacom would continue as main shirt sponsors, with On Line Group continuing as back-of-shirt sponsors.[162] The away kit was revealed on 9 July 2021, a blackout kit with a "tone-on-tone front stripe". The shorts would be black with a tonal side panel and black socks with tonal cuff detail.[163]
The third kit for the season was unveiled on 10 September 2021, as a claret shirt with black shoulders and an amber trim. The shorts would be amber with a black side panel and the socks claret, with black top and amber hoop.[164]
Awards
The annual awards for the club saw Keane Lewis-Potter pick-up the Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year awards.[165]Ryan Longman was presented with the Goal of the Season award for his goal against Everton on 8 January 2021 in the FA Cup which sent the match in to extra time.[165][157]Jacob Greaves took the award for Young Player of the Year for a consecutive season.[165] The Academy Player of the Year award went to Jevon Mills.[165]
