Shared Shirts: Gary Alexander

With the Tigers facing Millwall in our next encounter in the Sky Bet Championship, we hear from a man that has represented both the Tigers and the Lions in his playing career. 

Representing Millwall 104 times, scoring 25 times, and netting 30 goals in 78 appearances for City, Gary Alexander spoke to 'The Tiger' about his Player of the Year winning campaign of 2001/02.

In June 2001, Gary Alexander was one of a host of new signings to show Chairman Adam Pearson’s growing ambition to advance the club forward. With the move to our current home shortly arriving at the time, Alexander joined City from cash-strapped Swindon Town.  

“I was aware of the situation (at Swindon) and when a club like Hull City come in, it was a no brainer,” said Alexander. “Swindon ran into a bit of financial difficulty and they needed what players who had value. I was bought for £300,000 the year before from West Ham United so I was still able to be sold and you never want to see a club in trouble.”

When unleashed on the Division Three defenders, the striker scored on a frequent basis. After making his Hull debut in a 3-1 away win at former club Exeter City, the now 44-year-old netted his first City goal in only his third appearance for the club, scoring the winner in a 3-2 League Cup victory away against Wrexham.

After a goalless draw away at Carlisle United, Alexander bagged his first brace in amber and black, with his second coming in the 90^th-minute to secure a 2-1 win against Kidderminster Harriers at Boothferry park.

“To score two goals at Boothferry Park, as it was packed every week as the fans were unbelievable, was brilliant. I have nothing but fond memories of my time there and every goal.”

Brian Little’s men were in their element with an eight-game unbeaten run in all competitions, in which Alexander played a key role. Netting in six of those eight fixtures, the striker bagged the first of two Hull City hat-tricks in a 3-1 win over Leigh RMI in the second round of the Football League Trophy, with the team ascending the Division Three table.

“I remember cutting in from the right and hitting a left-footed shot for the hat-trick. I caught it sweet and it flew in,” reminisced Alexander. “Any hat-trick for any club was always fantastic for me and I remember that one quite well with it being my first one for Hull City.

“Any dressing room you go in that is unbeaten has a great atmosphere. There were plenty of new players and I had spent a bit of time in a hotel with ‘Pricey’ (Jason Price), Matt Glennon, Lawrie Dudfield, Ryan Williams and David Beresford. We were a new squad so to get that start with so many new players was obviously great.”

Gary will be returning to speak in the hospitality lounges at the MKM Stadium for our clash with Millwall on February 3^rd. Secure your seat in the Kingston Suite or pitch-facing Karaca Circle Restaurant from £79 + vat pp.

Netting 19 goals in all competitions before Christmas, the 44-year-old had a fast start to life at Hull City. However, a run of bad form in the team saw the Tigers slip down the Division Three table. Being in and around the promotion places for so long, City would finish the 2001/02 campaign in mid-table in 11^th.

“Expectation goes up when you’re winning games and when you falter, there is always going to be questions asked. We almost started from scratch that season. We lost a few players but we signed double figures of players and to get off to a start that we did was great and credit to Brian (Little) to put a squad together and go on a run like that and to be up there was fantastic.

“I look back at the end of my career and managers I loved playing under and I loved playing under Brian,” added Alexander. “He was great and joined in in training; he was probably the best player in training even at his age when he was there! He was an unbelievable character and I think he was one of my favourites.”

Despite the season ending in a disappointing fashion, Alexander finished his debut campaign with 23 goals in 50 appearances, winning the club’s POTY award. Leaving the club in January 2003 to join Leyton Orient, the Lambeth-born forward was delighted to win the prestigious award and wanted to conclude the interview by thanking the Hull City faithful.

“I ended up with 23 goals and as a forward, you are happy. To pick player of the year up too, I cannot have any complaints,” said Alexander. “Hull City is a massive club and it has gone onto great things. To be a part of that journey when Boothferry Park reopened and the club got back on its feet was obviously fantastic.”To sign there and to go on and score the goals I did was brilliant. I wish it could have gone on for longer. I loved my time there, but to look back and win Player of the Year there is again a great achievement for a club the size of Hull City.

“I have played for a lot of clubs but Hull fans are certainly some of the best fans I have played in front of. The feeling of running out at Boothferry Park and hearing the noise they made and the love they showed you is something that I will never forget.

“I had great times there and loved it there. My time got cut short for personal reasons and I left pretty sharpish. There were rumours and different things being said, but I wish I got the chance to say a proper goodbye. I never really got the opportunity to say goodbye to the fans that were so great to me.”