The 2019–20 season was Hull City's third consecutive season in the Championship and their 116th year in existence. Along with the Championship, the club competed in the FA Cup and EFL Cup. The season covers the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020, but also included details from the extended season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hull were relegated to League One at the end of the season after finishing in 24th place.
Events In February 2019, the new crest to be used from the start of the 2019–20 season was revealed following a supporter-led process of redesigning the club crest. This would be similar to the previous design but with the club name at the top and a different shape. On 31 May 2019, the club announced that a Concessionary Ticket Model would be introduced for the 2019–20 season after a vote on ticketing options was made by club members. On 8 June 2019, manager Nigel Adkins indicated that he would not take-up the offer of a new contract with the club and left the club before the start of the season. Assistant manager Andy Crosby would also leave the club at the same time. On 21 June 2019, Grant McCann was appointed as head coach on a one-year rolling contract, Cliff Byrne would also be joining as his assistant. On 25 June 2019, goalkeeper Matt Ingram was signed from Queens Park Rangers on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee. On 5 July 2019, Charlie Andrew went on loan to Bradford (Park Avenue) until January 2020. Though on 20 September 2019, he moved on a month-long loan spell to Alfreton Town. This was later extend for the remainder of the season. But on 31 January 2020, he was allowed to go on a free transfer to Lincoln City. On 8 July 2019, David Marshall signed for Wigan Athletic after his contract ran out at Hull. On 10 July 2019, Tom Eaves joined the club on a three-year deal after turning down a contract extension with Gillingham. On 15 July 2019, Danny Lupano was signed from Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee. On 18 July 2019, Ryan Tafazolli signed a two-year deal with the club, after being released by Peterborough United. On 18 July 2019, Josh Bowler joined on a season-long loan from Everton, which was confirmed on 1 June 2020 as the end of the 2019–20 season. On 24 July 2019, Harvey Cartwright moved on a season-long loan to Barton Town. On 25 July 2019, Eric Lichaj was named as captain with Jackson Irvine as vice-captain. On 26 July 2019, Sean McLoughlin of Cork City completed a three-year deal with the club for an undisclosed fee. Though he was loaned out for six months on 31 July 2019 to St Mirren. On 29 July 2019, Max Sheaf joined Cheltenham Town on loan until January 2020, which was later extended to the end of the season. On 2 August 2019, George Honeyman, of Sunderland, signed a three-year deal with the club for an undisclosed fee. On 8 August 2019, goalkeeper Harrison Foulkes rejoined Pickering Town on loan until January 2020. On 8 August 2019, mid-fielder Leonardo Lopes of Wigan Athletic signed a three-year deal with the club for an undisclosed fee. On 8 August 2019, Jacob Greaves signed a three-year contract extension with the club and then moved on loan to Cheltenham Town until January 2020, which was later extended to the end of the season. On 8 August 2019, Matthew Pennington of Everton signed a season-long loan deal with the club, which was confirmed on 5 June 2020 as the end of the 2019–20 season. On 8 August 2019, Josh Magennis of Bolton Wanderers signed a two-year deal with the club for a nominal fee. On 8 August 2019, Callum Elder of Leicester City signed a three-year deal with the club for an undisclosed fee. On 16 August 2019, Callum Jones signed a one-year deal from Bury for an undisclosed fee. On 20 August 2019, Elliot Bonds signed from Dagenham & Redbridge, until the end if the 2019–20 season, on a free transfer. On 21 August 2019, Lewis Ritson moved on loan to Blyth Spartans until January 2020. On 2 September 2019, Nouha Dicko joined Vitesse Arnhem on loan for the remainder of the season. On 14 September 2019, signed Norbert Balogh from Palermo on a free transfer on a one-year contract, but on 29 May 2020 he left the club by mutual consent. On 23 September 2019, Andy Dawson returned to the club as part of the Academy Coaching Staff. On 18 October 2019, goalkeeper David Robson moved to Gainsborough Trinity to gain some work experience. On 30 October 2019, Billy Chadwick and David Robson joined Gainsborough Trinity on loan until December 2019. On 11 November 2019, Will Taylor moved to Pickering Town on a free transfer. On 29 November 2019, Will Mannion moved on loan to Kidderminster Harriers until January 2020, but this was later extended for the remainder of the season. On 6 December 2019, Tyler Hamilton moved to Hartlepool United on loan until 4 January 2020, this was later extended for a month. On 31 January 2020, Hamilton's contract was terminated by mutual consent. On 3 January 2020, Herbie Kane, of Liverpool, signed a loan-deal with the club for the remainder of the 2019–20 season, which was confirmed on 8 June 2020 as the end of the 2019–20 season. On 16 January 2020, Martin Samuelsen, of West Ham United, signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club for an undisclosed fee. On 17 January 2020, Brandon Fleming moved on loan to Bolton Wanderers for the remainder of the season. On 17 January 2020, Mallik Wilks joined on-loan from Barnsley for the remainder of the season, with an option for the deal to become permanent, but Barnsley refused to allow him to extend his contract to the end of the 2019–20 season. On 27 January 2020, David Milinković moved on loan to Vancouver Whitecaps until 31 December 2020. On 31 January 2020, Kamil Grosicki signed an 18-month contract with West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee. On 31 January 2020, Marcus Maddison joined on loan from Peterborough United for the remainder of the season. On 31 January 2020, Alex John joined on loan from Yeovil Town until the end of the season, with an option to make the move permanent. On 31 January 2020, Danny Lupano joined Derry City on loan until the end of the season. On 31 January 2020, Markus Henriksen moved on loan to Bristol City for the remainer of the season, but was allowed to leave on 21 June 2020 to pursue "other options". On 31 January 2020, James Scott, of Motherwell, signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for £1.5 million. The club holding an option for a year extension. On 31 January 2020, Jarrod Bowen five-and-a-half-year contract with West Ham United for £22 million. On 5 February 2020, the club announced the death of Kris Blakeston one of the Academy coaches, the match against Swansea City on 14 February 2020 was dedicated to his memory. On 10 June 2020, Jon Toral, Kevin Stewart and Angus MacDonald agreed short-term contract extensions to cover the extended season. On 11 June 2020, Daniel Batty agreed a short-term contract extension to cover the extended season. On 15 June 2020, Robbie McKenzie agreed a short-term contract extension to cover the extended season. On 16 June 2020, following Kidderminster Harriers season termination on 22 April 2020 after a vote of clubs in the league, Will Mannion returned to the club and agreed a short-term contract extension to cover the extended season. On 16 June 2020, the club indicated they had failed to agree short-term contract extensions with Eric Lichaj, Jackson Irvine, Stephen Kingsley and loanee Marcus Maddison. The four player will leave the club at the end of June 2020 and not take part in the remaining matches once the season resumes. On 17 June 2020, Jordy de Wijs was named as captain for rest of the restarted season. On 26 June 2020, the club took up an option for a year extension to Daniel Batty's contract. On 30 June 2020, the club announced that Nouha Dicko and Markus Henriksen would leave after the expiry of their contracts. On 2 July 2020, Mallik Wilks joined Hull on a two-year permanent deal. On 2 July 2020, Festus Arthur of Stockport County signed a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
On 13 March 2020, the season was suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic, initially until 3 April but later extended to mid-May.
On 13 May, following an EFL meeting, the clubs decided to continue with the season with plans for players to return to training on 25 May.
In May, 1,014 tests were carried out across all of the English Football League and funded by the clubs. Two people from Hull City returned positive results.
On 31 May, the EFL stated plans to restart the league on 20 June, with the play-off final being scheduled for around 30 July, subject to safety requirement and government approval being met.
On 8 June, the first round of fixtures was released. The first set of fixtures following the restart was scheduled for 20 June with Hull's first fixture being the postponed home game against Charlton Athletic with a 3:00 pm kick-off. All the remaining fixtures would be played behind closed doors.
Squad
Out on loan
Transfers Transfers in Date Position Nationality Name From Fee 1 July 2019 GK Matt Ingram Queens Park Rangers £200,000 1 July 2019 RB Lucas Odunston Leeds United Free transfer 10 July 2019 CF Tom Eaves Gillingham Free transfer 15 July 2019 CB Danny Lupano Birmingham City Undisclosed 18 July 2019 CB Ryan Tafazolli Peterborough United Free transfer 26 July 2019 CB Sean McLoughlin Cork City Undisclosed 2 August 2019 AM George Honeyman Sunderland Undisclosed 8 August 2019 LB Callum Elder Leicester City Undisclosed 8 August 2019 CM Leonardo Lopes Wigan Athletic Undisclosed 8 August 2019 CF Josh Magennis Bolton Wanderers Nominal fee 16 August 2019 AM Callum Jones Bury Undisclosed 20 August 2019 CM Elliot Bonds Dagenham & Redbridge Free transfer 14 September 2019 CF Norbert Balogh Palermo Free transfer 16 January 2020 CM Martin Samuelsen West Ham United Undisclosed 31 January 2020 CF James Scott Motherwell £1.5 million 2 July 2020 LW Mallik Wilks Barnsley Undisclosed 2 July 2020 DF Festus Arthur Stockport County Undisclosed
Transfers out Date Position Nationality Name To Fee 1 July 2019 GK Callum Burton Cambridge United Released 1 July 2019 CB Adam Curry Free agent Released 1 July 2019 AM Evandro Santos Released 1 July 2019 RB Joshua Hesson Free agent Released 1 July 2019 MF Elliot Holmes Free agent Released 1 July 2019 CF Will Keane Ipswich Town Released 1 July 2019 CB Ondřej Mazuch Free agent Released 1 July 2019 LB Jake Nicholls Almuñécar City Free transfer 1 July 2019 FW Tom Powell Free agent Released 1 July 2019 CB Liam Ridgewell Southend United Released 1 July 2019 LW Callum Smith Dunston UTS Released 1 July 2019 MF Josh Thacker Free agent Released 1 July 2019 LM James Weir Bolton Wanderers Released 8 July 2019 GK David Marshall Wigan Athletic Free transfer 17 July 2019 DF Chams Faraji Radomiak Free transfer 12 August 2019 CF Fraizer Campbell Huddersfield Town Free transfer 11 November 2019 MF Will Taylor Pickering Town Free transfer 31 January 2020 RW Jarrod Bowen West Ham United £22 million 31 January 2020 MF Kamil Grosicki West Bromwich Albion Undisclosed 31 January 2020 LM Tyler Hamilton Free agent Mutual consent 31 January 2020 GK Charlie Andrew Lincoln City Free transfer 29 May 2020 CF Norbert Balogh Free agent Mutual consent 1 July 2020 DF Eric Lichaj Free agent Released 1 July 2020 MF Jackson Irvine Free agent Released 1 July 2020 DF Stephen Kingsley Free agent Released 1 July 2020 FW Nouha Dicko Free agent Released 1 July 2020 MF Markus Henriksen Free agent Released
Loans in