'Taking grandad to the game is full circle moment'

A 21-year-old Hull City fan says being able to take his grandfather to the Championship play-off final at Wembley will be a "full circle moment".

Geoff Golliker, 79, has been taking his grandson, Jacob Allmendinger, to Tigers' games for most of his life.

But this time, Allmendinger managed to secure tickets for himself and his grandad, who said he was "completely over the moon".

Allmendinger said: "It'll be amazing... if we win and I'm stood there next to my grandad, it'll be a memory I'll never forget."

He added: "After years of him taking me when I was younger, I finally get to take him to see the Tigers potentially get to the Premier League.

"We've both supported Hull since we were young... it's just a full circle moment really."

Despite the pair's excitement for Saturday's game, they, among many other fans, did not know who Hull City's opponents would be until late on Wednesday.

It comes after Southampton were thrown out of the play-offs by the English Football League after admitting spying on their semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.

The Teesside club was reinstated to the final after Southampton lost their appeal against the decision.

Allmendinger said the confusion surrounding the fixture had been "most unfair on the fans really".

But Golliker said this week's events had not dampened his enthusiasm and added the game would be an "excellent experience".

Golliker, who also plays walking football, lost his wife six years ago and said the sport had helped him "absolutely tremendously".

He said he enjoyed the camaraderie of going to games with his grandson, who joked that his favourite part was his grandad's credit card.

"I might treat him to a chocolate bar," Allmendinger laughed.

The 21-year-old said his grandfather was "a major part in my love for Hull" and going to matches with him "brings familiarity".

"When you're stood next to someone you've known your entire life that's got you into football, that you've gone to all the games with... it just makes it even more special.

"To watch the team we have supported our entire lives potentially get promoted to the biggest league in football, no words can describe it."

Golliker said it would be "like euphoria" if Hull City bagged the win on Saturday.

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