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FANS of wonder club Hull City are planning to roll out the red carpet for their Premiership heroes if plans to bring the players to Bahrain reach fruition.
Chairman Paul Duffen and manager Phil Brown of the charismatic club from the English East Yorkshire city of Kingston upon Hull visited the kingdom last week to open up discussions about a possible winter-break team-building session in the sun.
General Minister of Bahrain Football Association (BFA), Sayed Ahmed Jassim, said: "Hull City is considering Bahrain for their 15-day training camp in February due to the kingdom's pleasant weather. A delegation came to Bahrain to meet with BFA president Shaikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa, and also to explore Bahrain's football facilities. They enjoyed their stay and we are currently awaiting their decision. It seems it may be a positive one."
Last week's visit coincided with Brown being named the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month. He has led the club, nicknamed the Tigers, to third in the league with a string of impressive victories putting Hull City on 14 points after just seven games.
During September, Brown's men secured surprise 2-1 away wins at both Newcastle and Arsenal and drew at home 2-2 with Everton. And since then the side has also beaten Spurs away by a single goal.
The decision was made by the Barclays Awards Panel, which includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.
But it was such a different story exactly 10 years ago when Hull City sat in 92nd position in the football league.
The Tigers were officially the worst team in the country and facing oblivion. Now, they are sitting in a place reserved for Champions League challengers. Fans and figures throughout the world of football have this week been hailing the remarkable turnaround.
Former England manager Graham Taylor said: "It's just fantastic. Who would have thought 10 years ago Hull would be in the position they are now? It really is a superb achievement."
Tigers chairman Duffen puts the success down to behind-the-scenes goings-on which included the local authority investing in a new stadium for the club.
"It's like a fairytale," said Neil Coolledge, 40, the Hull-born parts manager of National Motor Company, who lives with his wife Kay and their daughter Melissa, seven, in Saar.
So startled by the club's amazing success story so far this season, Neil has been taking photographs of the results being flashed on his TV screen so that he can make an artistic collage to place on the wall alongside his beloved framed team shirt.
He has already been in contact with Hull City executives to offer the club sponsored transportation around the island, a fun outing to the BIC's Hummer driving course and outlined plans for a sporting dinner in aid of a local charity.
Support has also come from Ian Bricklebank, 47, sales manager of National Hotel Services Company, who lives with his German wife Kirsten and children, Hannah, 11, and Harry, nine, in Budaiya.
Bricklebank was born at The Three Tons public house opposite Hull's City's former stadium at Boothferry Park and made nine appearances as a prop forward for the city's professional rugby league side, Hull FC.
"Everyone loves an underdog and what Hull City has achieved so far is incredible. I don't think the club even realises how big they have become and if they succeed in staying in the Premiership - or doing even better - their arrival in Bahrain will be celebrated by all the kingdom's football fans and they'll surely get a memorable reception.
"It will be brilliant for Bahrain and tremendous for the people of Hull. The city has had its difficult times over the years but the club's success has really provided a huge boost and helped put the city on the world map.
"My brother Alun is in the catering business and still lives in Hull and says the whole place is now buzzing!
"My son used to support Manchester United but now he can't wait to find out City's results. I tried to buy him a club shirt over the internet but the club shop has sold out.
"And, when they scored against Arsenal my wife jumped up and down on the sofa to celebrate - and she's German!"
Bricklebank hopes to organise an invitation-only business reception for the club's players and officials if they decide to come in the New Year.
A spokesman at the club's KC Stadium said Hull City's representatives had enjoyed their flying visit to the Middle East and would be making a decision over the plans to come to Bahrain in the near future.
