Combative midfielder Kevin Hulme's season could be over after Saturday's trip to Cheltenham.

Kevin Hulme

The 33-year-old was sent off for serious foul play during Saturday's 0-0 draw with Darlington at Bootham Crescent, and not for a second bookable offence.

Hulme's 55th minute foul on Darlington's former City striker Marco Gabbiadini was punished by a red card, no second yellow being brandished by Hull referee Paul Robinson, and it could mean that the Whaddon Road game will be the last of the campaign for the ex-Halifax Town player.

While the referee's report will have a bearing, Hulme faces a three match ban for serious foul play and that will be made up to four matches as he has already been dismissed this season, having made the walk to the tunnel in the 2-0 home defeat by another of his former clubs Macclesfield Town on November 6.

If that is the case then he will miss the remaining games at home to Brighton, April 22, and Halifax, April 29, and away at Chester City, April 24, and the final game of the season at Leyton Orient on May 6.

Meanwhile, a public meeting may be called to discuss an independent supporters' group plan for a £100,000 fans' stake in City.

Fans Assisting City Together (FACT) say they have received a good response to their proposal, which would entitle a 'fan director' to sit on the Bootham Crescent board.

The club have announced the FACT blueprint will be discussed carefully but said the scheme, which would see fans purchasing units of between £50 and £2,500 to form a mutual society, was "commercially flawed".

However, Greg Stone, spokesman for FACT, remains positive.

He said: "We have had good interest from fans and while we have yet to hear anything directly from the club it appears they have not simply thrown our plans in the bin which offers cause for optimism."

Stone said a number of supporters had expressed an interest in promising money to the scheme, with one fan pledging £2,500.

However, because most of the interest and requests for copies of the business plan had come via the Internet, Stone said a public meeting was now being considered for those without access to the web who wanted to find out more

"But we will wait and see what the club's response to the proposals are first," said Stone.

see also 'Kids set for ticket bonus'

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