Ryan France was on the bench at Everton, his first ever time on a Premier League teamsheet. Now, with rumours aplenty that Blackpool want him, and Hull City doubtlessly happy to sell, could this possibly be Phil Brown succumbing to a spot of sentimentality?
France, as we know, has featured in the other three divisions for the Tigers, alongside Ian Ashbee, Boaz Myhill and Andy Dawson. But, unlike the others, he hasn't been a first-team regular since Peter Taylor left the club in 2006, and even under Taylor his security in the team varied according to whether we had any fit right backs or not.
One solitary appearance, even as a sub, in the Premier League for France will put him in Hull City's history annals forever. And with the transfer window open and rumours of Blackpool's interest heightening, he found himself on the bench at Goodison Park whereas previously his only first team action had been in the dismal Carling Cup defeat at Swansea City, where he played well but ultimately didn't do enough to secure any form of elevation to the main squad.
Has France, who was on the bench for the FA Cup tie last week without emerging on to the pitch, suddenly changed Brown's mind? His attitude has been that of an uncomplaining individual who appreciates his limitations and continues to do his work as best he can. Brown has never expressed a problem with him. Maybe, just maybe, France's way of coping with life as a fringe player with six months left of his Hull City career has, perversely, altered his manager's view of him.
Or maybe the demeanour of people like Richard Garcia, Bryan Hughes and Stelios Giannakopoulos has stunk so much that Brown decided a focussed France was a better option from the bench than these more gifted but more high-maintenance players.
Either way, it's largely irrelevant as France wasn't used, even though at 2-0 down with ten minutes left Brown could have slung him on instead of Peter Halmosi and given him his day in the (metaphorical) sun. Unused subs may get medals when they stay benched at major finals, but they don't get their appearance stats updated. France needs to run on to a Premier League pitch to contribute his tiny bit of Hull City history and at Everton, he came so close to a moment that may not come round again. That said, maybe the Blackpool rumours are just that, France is going to be here until the summer - and Brown has plans for him when Arsenal come to the KC this weekend...
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