MANAGER Phil Brown is desperate to turn Hull’s fortunes around on the pitch – and hopes the club’s new chairman can do the same in the boardroom.

Paul Duffen stood down as executive chairman yesterday morning after pressure mounted on him and Brown following the club’s poor start to their second season in the top flight, which has seen them take just eight points from their opening 10 games.

Brown was reluctant to comment on the departure of his friend, but admitted: ‘‘The game’s about change and as far as I’m concerned, nobody saw Paul’s resignation coming.

It’s happened and I have to respond to it, and my players have to respond to it, by putting in a good performance on Saturday.’’ The club’s accounts – finally released this week, five months behind schedule – showed borrowings of £22m, prompting accountants Deloitte to predict the Tigers will have to raise £23m to balance their books should they be relegated, and £16m if they survive.