Transfer Merry Go Round…. Part 1

Radio Humberside have announced that striker Ben Burgess is set to depart Hull City for League 1 side Blackpool in a deal believed to be worth £100,000. Simon Grayson has made it publicly known that the former Blackburn man was his number 1 target.

Burgess started his career down the road at Blackburn Rovers, where he made a couple of appearances. During his time at Ewood Park he was loaned out to Brentford for a season in 2001, for the Bees he scored 17 league goals in 43 starts. In the summer after his time at Brentford Stockport splashed out £400,000 for the Buxton born striker.

At County he scored 4 leagues in 17 starts, he was loaned out to Oldham in 2003 where he was unable to make an impact in the goals column in six appearances.

Hull City paid out £100,000 in 2003 for Burgess and at the KC he scored 24 times from 54 starts.


The tall striker has had a torrid time with the Tigers over the last two seasons, spending almost eighteen months of that time on the treatment table with two troublesome knee injuries. Despite recovering from a year out which saw the player miss all but three games of the League 1 promotion campaign, Burgess was only able to make a short return to first team action before being struck by injury again.

Pre-season saw Burgess make a full recovery but it was evident his injuries had taken a toll. A poor showing put the striker out of favor with new manager Phil Parkinson, forcing Burgess to sit on the bench. A few substitute appearances haven’t been enough to bring the player back into favor and although he scored in City’s extra time victory over Tranmere Rovers in the League Cup, Burgess has now moved on.

Brighton were also interested in the striker but it seems Blackpool have won the race for his signature. Three seasons ago, Burgess formed a formidable partnership with Danny Allsopp as the Tigers won promotion from Division 3.

Burgess is a proven goal-scorer in the lower leagues and Blackpool have signed an accomplished player. Providing he can fully regain fitness and he doesn’t suffer any more injury setbacks, Burgess could be a real coup for the tangerines.


The VitalHull point of view: ‘Burgess is a player held in high regard by the Hull City fans. He is a good header of the ball and for a big man and is fantastic with the ball at his feet. In our promotion season from League 2, Burgess was an instrumental part. His goalscoring abilities helped City set off on back to back promotions and I’m sure he will do very well at Blackpool. You’ve got a terrific striker there.’



We hope to give you a part two and three today, with Stuart Green, also from Hull and a yet to be named striker hopefully signing on the dotted line before twelve tonight. Time will tell…