Premier League Hull City have applied to the English FA to change their name to Hull Tigers from next season, the BBC reported on Wednesday.
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Club owner Assem Allam wants to re-brand the 109- year-old Yorkshire club but the move has provoked a fierce backlash among fans.
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Egyptian-born businessman Allam changed the name of the club's holding company from Hull City Association Football Club to Hull City Tigers in August.
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Allam believes a 'Tigers' brand would have more of a "global marketing impact".
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Diehard Hull fans have pledged to fight any name change and have formed the campaign group "City Till We Die".