The Football Association is due to rule on Hull City’s controversial bid to rename themselves Hull Tigers today.

The FA Council is expected to block the rebranding proposals of club owner Assem Allam after the governing body’s own membership committee unanimously recommended they be rejected last month.

That would be in spite of a poll conducted by the club which appears to offer some evidence of support among fans for the change.

In a ballot of season-ticket holders over the age of 16, 2,565 voted for the rebrand with 2,517 against. A further 792 expressed indifference while another 9,159 did not take up their right to vote.

These results, which were published on Monday, came too late to be included in any written submission the club may have made ahead of the council meeting.

They could, however, provide encouragement for the club to appeal should the verdict, as seems likely, go against them.

Allam believes the Tigers name is more marketable worldwide and could help the club attract the greater investment he feels is necessary to compete at the top level and grow.

He has expressed his dislike for the “common” City name and has threatened to pull out of the club if his wish is not granted.

But, regardless of what the poll has indicated, his plans have met with fierce resistance from supporters.

Hull, whose colours are amber and black, have long been nicknamed the Tigers, but fans are fiercely loyal to City, which has been in the club’s title since formation in 1904.

Opposition group City Till We Die believes the Allams may have exploited some personal loyalty towards them by wording questions in their favour in the poll.

A statement read: “We are pleased that supporters treated the ballot as a validation of Dr Allam’s ownership of the football club, rather than believing the masquerade that this was a vote on the name change.”