Hull deny sacking Brown as bookies suspend betting
HULL CITY last night insisted manager Phil Brown had not been sacked and played down a warning from auditors about the club’s ability to stay solvent.
Some bookmakers suspended betting on the under-fire Tigers boss to be the next top flight manager to go, after rumours spread that he had been fired. But Hull, who currently lie 18th in the Premier League having narrowly avoided relegation last season, hit back at the suggestions.
“Contrary to media speculation the club can confirm that Phil Brown has not been sacked and remains the manager of Hull City Football Club,” read a statement.
Hull, who have taken just eight points from their first 10 games, also batted away talk of going out of business. The club responded after their auditors Deloitte warned that they would be in danger of administration if they were relegated.
In Hull’s accounts for the year ending July 2008, which were filed five months late, Deloitte says Hull need £23m to “meet current liabilities”, and that the financial blow of dropping out of the top flight would make raising that sum a stiff task.
“These conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty which may cast significant doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern,” Deloitte added.
But Hull’s directors said the accounts were not a current reflection of club finances since they related to the year before their promotion, adding there was a “reasonable expectation the company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future”.