“We eat kebab, we drink Efes, we have a Turkish boss” chanted Hull City fans as they drank Turkish Efes Pilsner while waiting for their team to play.
The scenes was captured by Turkish TV producer Taner Yıldırım, who posed with the fans as they proudly waived their bottles of Efes.
The English Championship side was bought by Acun Medya Group last month, an international television production company headed by Acun Ilıcalı.
The Turkish media mogul said at the time: “I am happy that I have fulfilled one of my biggest dreams today. We are starting a beautiful journey with Hull City.”
Read our Ten facts about Hull City’s new owner Acun Ilıcalı
The love affair between fans and Ilıcalı has been instant, with supporters showing their admiration for their new chairman and Turkey by bringing dozens of Turkish flags to their first home match at the MKM Stadium following the takeover.
The Tigers fans have now gone on to serenade Ilıcalı, who produces The Voice for Turkey television, with a special song, while Ilıcalı’s Turkish heritage has fuelled new interest in Turkish culture and cuisine.
The popularity of kebabs has grown not only in the Yorkshire port city of Hull, which has over two dozen restaurants and takeaways, but also across Britain.
According to industry body The Kebab Alliance, the kebab sector is now annually worth £2.8 billion to the British economy.
Despite facing stiff competition from local and international brands, Efes beer has also become an ever-present in Britian, available in multiple supermarkets and pub chains like JD Wetherspoon. Its parent company Anadolu Efes is Europe’s 6th largest brewery and the 11th largest in the world, exporting to 70 countries.
Brewed since 1969, the beer comes in variety of styles, with Efes Pilsen – a light, crisp lager – an international best-seller.
As well as being a refreshing beer, if Hull City are anything to go by, it appears Efes also stimulates the creative genes. Listen to the fans proudly sing their new football chant.
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