Product Code Database
Paul Jeremy Duffen (born 31 July 1958) is a British businessman who is best known for being the chairman of association football club Hull City from 2007 to 2010.
Duffen also became the chairman of publishing firm Newsdesk Media in June 2011. Additionally, Duffen sits on the boards of several companies, including Pro-Cure Therapeutics Ltd, a life sciences business based in York and RISC Management Ltd, a London-based security consultancy.
In 1981, Duffen joined distribution company P J Holloway (Sales) Ltd, based in North London, where he was appointed Marketing Director and played a key role in the sale of the business in 1985 to Browne and Tawse plc. He subsequently held the position of managing director at two private companies and later started his own management consultancy business which from 1997 focused on the sport, broadcast and internet sectors.
When Duffen took control of Hull City the club had just finished 21st in the Championship, narrowly avoiding relegation to League One. "ESPN". ESPN.go.com (26 September 2011). Retrieved 27 January 2012. He immediately announced the permanent appointment of caretaker manager Phil Brown who had steered the club to Championship survival. "New owner takes over at Hull City". BBC Sport (11 June 2007). Retrieved 27 January 2012. During his first summer in charge, Duffen followed through on a pledge to invest in the team with the aim of achieving promotion to the top flight for the first time in the club's history within three years. The million pound signing of striker Caleb Folan from Wigan was the most expensive in the club's history. "Hull City break record to land Folan". BBC Sport (31 August 2007). Retrieved 27 January 2012. Duffen brought in other high earners such as former Nigeria captain and BBC African Footballer of the Year Jay-Jay Okocha and his former Bolton teammate Henrik Pedersen to almost double the club's wage bill. "Okocha say God took him to Hull". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2012. Despite some new funds, the club relied heavily on loan signings to strengthen the squad, most notably Fraizer Campbell who was brought in from Manchester United in October 2007.Steve Claridge, "Scouting Report: Fraizer Campbell, Hull City", The Guardian, April 2008
To strengthen the squad for the Premier League campaign, Duffen and Brown signed Brazilian attacking midfielder Geovanni following his release from Manchester CityPenny Woods, "Tigers snap up Geovanni from Man City", The Guardian, 5 July 2008 and spent £2.5 million, a new club transfer record, to sign Anthony Gardner on a permanent contract having been with the club on loan from Tottenham Hotspur. "Hull make Gardner record signing", BBC Sport Other key signings included Dutch international midfielder George Boateng from Middlesbrough, "Hull agree contract with Boateng". BBC Sport (10 July 2008). Retrieved 27 January 2012. strikers Daniel Cousin (from Glasgow Rangers "Striker Cousin makes Hull Switch". BBC Sport (11 September 2008). Retrieved 27 January 2012.) and Marlon King (on loan from Wigan "King completes loan move to Hull". BBC Sport (14 August 2008). Retrieved 27 January 2012.) and defenders Kamil Zayatte (from BSC Young Boys "Hull beat rivals to sign Zayatte". BBC Sport (31 August 2008). Retrieved 27 January 2012.) and Bernard Mendy (who had been released by Paris St Germain "Hull seal deal for defender Mendy”. BBC Sport (11 July 2008). Retrieved 27 January 2012.).
Despite the new signings, Phil Brown retained faith with a core of the team that had secured their recent success. Three players, Andy Dawson, Boaz Myhill and club captain Ian Ashbee had played for Hull City in all four divisions of the English professional game.
Hull City began their first season in the Premier League in impressive style securing a 2–1 home victory against Fulham in the club's first Premier League match "Hull City 2–1 Fulham", BBC Sport 16 August 2008 and before the end of September had secured away wins at Arsenal and Tottenham. Phil Brown was named Premier League Manager of the Month in September 2008 when the club rose to third place on the back of winning 14 points from seven matches during the month. "Hull City’s Phil Brown named Premier League Manager of the Month", The Guardian, October 2008 As a result of that League position Hull City qualified to play in the Premier League Asia Trophy in Beijing in the summer of 2009 alongside Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. "Barclays Asia Trophy confirms how far Hull City have come". Goal.com (24 July 2009). Retrieved 27 January 2012. From November, however, performances and results fell away and the team began to slide down the Premier League table to a position more closely aligned with the club's spending power.
The club sought to strengthen the squad during the January 2009 transfer window to help reverse Hull City's downward trajectory. The priority was to sign a goalscoring midfielder and the club seemed to have achieved just that with the signing of England midfielder Jimmy Bullard who signed for a record £5 million from Fulham. "Hull complete £5m Bullard swoop". BBC Sport (23 January 2009). Retrieved 27 January 2012. Bullard ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in his debut for Hull City, against West Ham United and had to wait to the following October before returning to first team action. "Hull admit gamble over Bullard's uninsurable knee". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2012. Additionally, the club signed loanee Kamil Zayette on a permanent deal from BSC Young Boys for a three-year contract and a fee of £2.5 million.
Hull City only narrowly survived their first season in the Premier League finishing in 17th, just one place one point above the relegation position. Hull City lost 0–1 at home to the Premier League champions Manchester United, but escaped relegation following Newcastle United's defeat away at Aston Villa.
Duffen's role in bringing success to the club was recognised at the Real Yorkshire Awards in March 2009 with a special award for "the single biggest contribution to tourism and the economy in Hull and East Yorkshire". "Gala dinner for Real Yorkshire Tourism". Thisishullandeastriding.co.uk (22 March 2009). Retrieved 27 January 2012. Outside of football, Duffen sat on the board of Visit Hull and East Yorkshire Ltd.
Duffen later admitted disagreements and friction in his working relationship with Bartlett, but defended his stewardship of the club and the financial position in which he left it.Bill Bradshaw, "No hell to pay at Hull", 14 November 2009 In January 2010, the club said it was to take legal action against Duffen for alleged wrongdoing. Duffen maintained this was in response to action initiated by him against the Club for non-payment of monies he was owed following his resignation. "Duffen and Hull in legal battle". Express.co.uk (22 January 2010). Retrieved 27 January 2012. In February 2010 the club announced that a settlement had been reached "bringing an end to all disputes between the parties." "Hull settle dispute with Paul Duffen out of court". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 27 January 2012.
|
|
