The popular frontman is set for his third MKM Stadium debut in the colours of Hull City
Joe Gelhardt is back at Hull City and relishing Sunday's visit of Everton
Joe Gelhardt is back at Hull City and relishing Sunday's visit of Everton(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Joe Gelhardt is relishing his second chance in the Premier League and wants to prove he can cut it at that level three seasons on from his last foray into the top tier.
Back at Hull City for a third time after making a permanent move late in the transfer window, following two successful loan spells at the MKM Stadium, Gelhardt will hope to make his latest home debut on Sunday afternoon against a club he's no stranger to.
Gelhardt, born and raised on Merseyside, was a boyhood fan of Everton's city rivals Liverpool and even had a trial at the Goodison Park club at the beginning of his fledgling career, before coming through the academy at Wigan Athletic prior to his big-money move to Leeds United.
Unsurprisingly, the 24-year-old also has no shortage of friends who will be wearing the blue of the Toffees when the two teams meet at the MKM Stadium on Sunday afternoon, and will be aiming to get one over on them.
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"I was on trial there when I was younger, like 9 or 10," Gelhardt told Hull Live. "I've got a lot of family who are Everton fans and a lot of mates who are Everton fans as well, so yeah, it'd be nice to win and taunt them a little bit. My mate's going to the game in the away end with the Everton fans. He goes all the time, so hopefully we beat them in front of him.
"They're obviously a very established Premier League club, they're solid, they know how they want to play, and they're good defensively, good going forward, so it'll be a good challenge."
Gelhardt's top-flight record stands at 36 appearances, two goals and six assists. Owing to injury, his only appearance since coming back to City was seven minutes off the bench at St James' Park before the international break, so he'll hope for more against David Moyes' men.
"I've got more experience now than when I did," he explained. "I was 19 or 20 last time, so I'm more experienced, but I'm still just as excited and ready to go."
Gelhardt was on the cusp of moving to Birmingham City late in the transfer window before Tigers owner Acun Ilicali called him to say he wanted to bring him back to East Yorkshire permanently, and it was an emotional call.
He added: "There was a lot of waiting around, a bit of uncertainty in what was happening, but in the end, it got done, and I couldn't be happier. It (Ilicali's call) was late at night, the owner (Ilicali) FaceTimed me with my agent about 11 at night. I had my case packed, I was on my way down to Birmingham the next day for a medical, and that was the first time I heard properly from Hull. That was Monday night, and then I had the medical on Wednesday morning, signed on Thursday, so it moved along pretty quickly after that.
"I was a bit in shock to be honest, cos I hadn't heard much, but I was delighted more than anything. I was just happy and just wanted to get it done as soon as possible."
City have started the season brilliantly on their return, but for a damaging first seven minutes on Tyneside when they found themselves 2-0 down, Sergej Jakirovic's men could well have had more than the eight points they've got to show for their efforts.
The Liverpudlian admits conceded so early in their last two outings at Stamford Bridge and St James' Park serves as a warning that if you let your guard down for a split second, you'll be punished.
Gelhard said: "If you give teams like that half a chance, and they score goals. That's the quality that teams have in the Premier League, and we know that. It's a reminder that you can't switch off for a minute against teams in the Premier League. We'll be fully focused on Sunday against another very good team."
After that famous opening day win over Manchester United, City were held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa early in September, but haven't played in front of their home crowd since, and for Gelhardt and his globe-trotting teammates, it will be a chance to shine in front of another sold-out home support and keep up what has been a fine start to life back at English football's top table.
"It will be massive (being back at home)," he confessed. "The fans at home play a massive part. We've got a good record this season at home, so hopefully, we can carry that on for the fans and can't wait to be back there. It's going good. We've got a great team, we've got great lads, and we know the way we want to play. The start of the season was great, and we're looking to build on that."
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