Hull Daily Mail sports reporter John Fieldhouse is to be allowed back in the press box at the Kingston Communications Stadium after he was banned from reporting a football match there on Saturday.

Hull City reporter John was forced to cover Saturday’s match against Bristol Rovers from the stands after being hit by a ban by club chairman Adam Pearson, who was angry that another reporter at the paper had interviewed a player without permission from the club’s manager.

The chairman has now agreed to allow John to use the press facilities at the club’s next game – but has said that all access to players will continue to be denied to the Mail.

He took action after news reporter Jon Reed interviewed striker Stuart Elliott about his religious beliefs the day before a match, and without permission from manager Peter Taylor.

The chairman claimed the Mail had breached the relationship of trust with the club.

However, editor John Meehan said news reporter Jon Reed had gone directly to the player with his request for an interview because the story was about his personal life and was not a football matter, and it was purely coincidental that the interview had taken place on a Friday.

Striker Stuart has been fined two weeks’ wages for breach of contract by conducting a press interview without permission and doing so on the day before a game.

Editor John said he was astonished the club had reacted so strongly, but was pleased the sports reporter would be able to use the press facilities at the stadium again.

He said: “I am disappointed Mr Pearson is denying access to the players. That can hardly be in the club’s interests in generating publicity to fill seats at the new stadium.

“I want to stress we wish to have a positive relationship with Hull City, but it’s vital it is based on a proper understanding of our role.

“We cannot agree to allow the football club to decide what appears in the pages of this newspaper.”

Do you have a story about the regional press? Ring 0116 227 3122/3121, or
e-mail [email protected]