North Ferriby United

Monday 30 July
The Chadwick Stadium

Billy Bly Memorial Trophy

North Ferriby United v Hull City u-23

Kick-off 7.30pm

Ferriby entertain Hull City on Monday in the annual Billy Bly Memorial Trophy fixture. The game has been brought forward from the originally scheduled date of this Wednesday at City’s request.

The game has been billed as a City under-23 side but, with the game being brought forward, and with City not beginning their league until the 6^th August, there is a possibility that a few first-team players may make an appearance at some point in the game.

Tweets from City’s own Twitter account indicate that Nigel Adkins is hoping Jackson Irvine and Fraizer Campbell could be in action after missing yesterday's game with illness and injury respectively, whilst summer recruit George Long could make his first appearance for the Club

Also, the full first team squad will also be in attendance at the game so there will be plenty of photo and autograph opportunities for the fans at the Chadwick Stadium.

We hope to see as many Hull City fans there as possible!

With regard to the game itself, younger fans will not remember Billy Bly who was a wonderful servant to both clubs for many years. He played  456 games for City before eventually joining Ferriby and serving on the club’s committee.

This  game is always a special occasion. It is a fitting tribute to a man who gave much to both clubs.
The match, despite being pre-season game, is always competitive but played in the right spirit.

The game gives the Ferriby players another chance to test themselves against a full-time professional side. City will provide a stiffer test than Grimsby but the players will up for the challenge. It is an opportunity to measure themselves against top level professional players.

The Trophy will be presented to the winning captain by Billy’s son, Roy , and former City player Dennis Booth at the end of the game.

Ferriby manager Chris Bolder will probably field many of the players that lost to Spennymoor Town on Saturday. Despite the result, it was a good performance by Ferriby against a strong and experience side that may well be challenging at the top of National League North again this season.

Bolder commented after the game,

“The first 30 minutes were particularly pleasing. Our energy levels and shape when we were in possession  were up there and were really good. They  (Spennymoor) are an outstanding team and will be up there this season. So for us to assert ourselves way we did in the first 30 minutes was pleasing.

“I’ve wanted to improve the confidence of the players and have them not give the ball away cheaply. Some of the football we played today was very pleasing. We created opportunities to get out of difficult situations at the back or moving forward and creating good positions at the other end.

“Today was the first time that some of our lads have any real time against opponents of that standard and they did well.  Overall I’m pleased with the performance.”

Looking towards the game against City, Bolder continued,

“All the  lads are really looking forward to playing any City team. They are the biggest club in the area. They are obviously a professional outfit. Whether they put out just an under-23 side or a combination of them and first team players, they are full-time professional  players. Their fitness levels will be high and will be a tough challenge.

“Hopefully we’ll get large numbers through the gate and they can see what we are about and appreciate the type of football we are trying to play.”

Admission to game is £5 full price and £3 for concessions. There will be the usual bar and catering facilities.