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Hull F.C.

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callum shithead loves mrs pinder | challengecups = 3 | clubchampions = 0 | website = www.hullfc.com |pattern_la1=_goldborder|pattern_b1=_hull13h|pattern_ra1=_goldborder|leftarm1=000000|body1=000000|rightarm1=000000|pattern_so1=_white_band_color|shorts1=000000|socks1=000000 |pattern_la2=_goldborder|pattern_b2=_hull13aw|pattern_ra2=_goldborder|pattern_so2=_blacktop|leftarm2= of the world's first twenty-two rugby league clubs. Later that year they moved to the Hull Athletic Club's ground at The Boulevard, Airlie Street, which gave rise to their nickname "The Airlie Birds". Traditionally people from the west side of Hull support Hull FC while Hull Kingston Rovers are supported by the east half, the 'border' being regarded as the River Hull. Old Faithful is a traditional Hull terrace song. The team shares the KC Stadium with association football side Hull City A.F.C.. Their mascot is "The Airlie Bird". They are currently sponsored by Minstergate Hyundai on their 2014 Home Kit and Bartercard on their 2014 Away Kit.

History

Early years

Formed by a group of ex-schoolboys from York, most notably Anthony Bradley, who had been at Rugby School, in 1865. The founders used to meet at the Young Men's Fellowship, at St. Mary’s Church in Lowgate. The vicar at that time was the Reverend Scott and his 5 sons made up the nucleus of the team. The club immediately took on members who were plumbers and glaziers.

Soon another team, Hull White Star, was formed and the two clubs merged. Hull Football Club was one of the first clubs in the north of England to join the Rugby Football Union.

Hull, then nicknamed the All Blacks, were one of the initial 22 clubs to form the Northern Union after the acrimonious split from the Rugby Football Union in 1895. The club moved from East Hull to the Hull Athletic Club at the Boulevard in 1895, and subsequently played their first ever match there in September of that year. 8,000 people turned out to witness the first club's match in which Hull beat Liversedge.

The early years of the Northern Union saw Hull prosper, and their black and white irregular hooped jerseys became one of the most famous and feared strips in the league. Between 1908–10, Hull lost three consecutive Rugby League Challenge Cup finals, and has in fact lost in more major finals than anyone else.

In 1913, they paid a world record £600, plus £14 per match, to Hunslet for Billy Batten, one of only seventeen players, and the only representative from Hull FC, so far inducted into the British Rugby League Hall of Fame. A year later the Airlie Birds won their first Challenge Cup, beating Huddersfield in the semi-final and Wakefield Trinity in the final. Playing alongside Billy on that day was John "Jack" Harrison VC, MC, the only professional sportsman to win the Victoria Cross and the Military Cross, the holder of the club record for most tries in a season.

Australian Jim Devereux became the first player to score 100 tries for Hull.[1]

In 1920, Batten was once again key in Hull's first ever Championship final, scoring the only try in the 3–2 victory over Huddersfield.

The early-1920s were bittersweet years for the club. In 1921, Hull won the Yorkshire Cup but lost the county championship, both against rivals Hull Kingston Rovers. Hull couldn’t match the successes of 1914, losing a further two consecutive cup finals in 1922–23 to Rochdale Hornets and Leeds respectively, but they managed to win the Yorkshire Cup and finish top of the league.

In the early 1930s, Hull had a full back and goal kicker called Joe Oliver. Oliver was so dependable with the boot that the crowd at one match spontaneously started singing the Gene Autry song, Old Faithful at him. Hull supporters adopted the song as their battle cry from then on.

Hull's record attendance was set in 1936 when 28,798 turned up for the visit of Leeds for a third round Challenge cup match.

Post World War Two

The 1952 Kangaroos visited the Boulevard on Monday 8 September. They had opened their tour with a victory at Keighley two days earlier, and they continued their winning run with a 28–0 victory over Hull.

In 1954, the black Welshman Roy Francis became the first black professional coach in any British team sport, when he coached Hull.

Hull team won the league championship in 1956 when Colin Hutton kicked a last-minute penalty in the final against Halifax at Maine Road, Manchester. Hull won the play-offs again in 1958, against Workington Town. They also won the European Club championship in 1957 and lost in the cup finals at Wembley in 1959 and 1960. These triumphs healed the wound of two successive Yorkshire Cup final defeats in 1955 and 1957. They lost in two further Challenge Cup finals to Wigan and Wakefield Trinity in 1959 and 1960. All these reverses, when one hand had been grasping so many trophies, gave Hull a steely resolve and a thirst for success.

Johnny Whiteley became player coach in October 1963. When Roy Francis retired as Hull FC coach in 1965, Whiteley took over as coach. Hull F.C. lost to Wakefield Trinity 17–10 victory in the 1968 Rugby Football League Championship final at Headingley on 4 May 1968. Francis resigned in 1970 to coach Hull Kingston Rovers. Ivor Watts was then appointed coach from 1970–1971 of which Hull won 28 matches and lost 17.

With the coaching appointment of Arthur Bunting in 1978, Hull began a period of dominance. Hull won all of their 26 Division Two matches in 1978–79, the only time a club has won all of its league matches in a season and returning to the top flight. The Airlie Birds lost the 1980 Challenge Cup final against Hull KR 10–5 and have never won at Wembley since. It was reputed that a makeshift sign was left on the A63 (the major westerly road out of Hull) that read "last one out turn the lights off!" due to most of the city travelling to Wembley for the final. In 1982, Hull, crushed by Widnes in the Premiership final, avenged the defeat with an 18–9 Challenge Cup replay win.

Kingston Communications Stadium.

Hull eventually won the league in 1983 and also reached the Premiership final, the Challenge Cup final and the Yorkshire Cup final, but the latter trophy would be their only reward from the three finals. They lost to Featherstone Rovers at Wembley in one of the great Challenge Cup final upsets and they also lost the Premiership final three years running.[2]

The signing of Australian Peter Sterling, a 2006 inductee into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame, maintained Hull’s strength, and Bunting’s men went to their third successive Yorkshire Cup beating Hull KR 29–12, but were edged out in arguably the greatest ever Challenge Cup final in 1984–85 by Wigan at Wembley Stadium with a score of 28 to 24 in Wigan's favour. A number of subsequent coaches, such as Brian Smith (1988–90) failed to deliver consistent success. Hull lost the Premiership final in 1989 to Widnes, but two years later returned to beat them at Old Trafford under coach Noel Cleal.

Royce Simmons moved to England to coach Hull for two seasons from 1992 to 1994.[3][4] In June 1993, financial trouble forced Hull to put seven players on the transfer list and Royce Simmons ran five marathons to raise money to pay for players from Australia.

Summer era

File:Hull-sharks.gif
Hull Sharks club logo

In 1996, the first tier of British rugby league clubs played the inaugural Super League season and changed from a winter to a summer season.[5] As the sport in Britain entered a new era, controversy was sparked in the city of Hull when it was suggested that Hull should merge with Hull Kingston Rovers to form 'Humberside'. Hull FC's shareholders gave the idea general approval but it was ultimately resisted.[6] The club like many other rugby league clubs re-branded and became known as the Hull Sharks. It is unclear who came up with the 'Sharks' as a nickname but for a nautical city it was a fairly obvious choice. Hull FC finished below the cut-off point of 10th in the existing top flight and so were excluded from the new Super League.

Phil Sigsworth joined the club in 1996 and coached them to the First Division championship title and promotion to Super League in 1997. However the club struggled to gain a foot hold in the competition under new manager Peter Walsh. The renaming was unpopular with the supporters and the club spiralled in to financial difficulties and went out of business. Hull Sharks closed and was taken over by the recently formed expansion team Gateshead Thunder at the end of 1999 (with the backing of the Super League).[7] The Association of Premiership Clubs blocked proposals for the newly merged company to enter a Hull-based team in the Northern Ford Premiership[8] and so Hull FC closed and Gateshead Thunder took over the traditional Hull FC identity in Super League and moved its home games to The Boulevard. Most of the Gateshead playing squad moved to Hull FC along with their Board and ex-St Helens coach Shaun McRae who remained at the helm until 2004.

After 107 years at the Boulevard, Hull FC moved in January 2003 to a £44 million state-of-the-art council-owned Kingston Communications Stadium, more commonly known as the KC Stadium and the rejuvenation of the club continued. Although they are joint tenants at the stadium alongside the city's football club Premier League Hull City AFC : the two teams sharing use of the stadium, Hull FC have been forced to play a cup match away at Doncaster to avoid two matches clashing. Shaun McRae left the club to return to Australia at the end of the 2004 season; he was replaced by former England coach John Kear, who had previously been McRae's deputy.

In his first season at the club, Kear led Hull FC to the Rugby League Challenge Cup final for the first time since 1985. Hull FC defeated Leeds 25–24 in a thrilling final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium to lift the trophy. Paul Cooke's 77th minute try, which was converted by Danny Brough gave Hull FC a 1 point lead, which they held onto after Hull FC captain Richard Swain charged down a drop-goal attempt from Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield in the dying seconds of the match.

John Kear left Hull FC on 3 April 2006 after a disappointing start to the season, which saw Hull lose four out of their first seven league games and also their defence of the Challenge Cup being ended at the first hurdle against the Bradford Bulls in a 23–12 defeat, to be replaced by Australian Peter Sharp who was recruited from Parramatta Eels where he was assistant coach. Between 14 April – 15 July 2006 Hull won 13 matches in succession, including a 27–26 defeat of the league leaders St Helens on 8 June 2006. The last time they beat St Helens on their ground was 18 years ago. This run ended in defeat at Harlequins RL on 23 July 2006. Hull FC managed to finish in second place, their highest league position in the Super League era. They lost to the league leaders St Helens in the first Grand Final playoff game, but succeeded in reaching the final by defeating the reigning champions Bradford. Over 20,000 Hull FC fans travelled to Old Trafford, but again they lost out to the Saints, this time by 26–4. The overall attendance broke the Grand Final record, mainly due to the stadium's recent expansion.

For the 2007 season, Hull FC signed five players: Matt Sing (a prolific National Rugby League try-scorer and Australian representative), Hutch Maiava, Willie Manu, Danny Tickle and Wayne Godwin. Also, the Hull Football Club v Hull Kingston Rovers derbies are back for the 2007 season due to Rovers' promotion from National League 1. The first of four of these derby matches was played on Easter Monday, 9 April 2007, at the KC Stadium. The game was played in front of a sell-out attendance of 23,002 and ended with a result for the Black and Whites who had been struggling early in the season. The final score was 22–14 with Sid Domic crossing the line for the Airlie Birds in the final seconds.

Hull facing the Leeds at Headingley, May 2009

On 23 April Paul Cooke, stand-off, controversially resigned from Hull Football Club to join Hull Kingston Rovers. Cooke claimed he was out of contract as he had not signed the contract that the club had offered him. Following his departure, club chief executive David Plummer resigned. His replacement James Rule has come in for much criticism.

Hull FC have endured a poor 2008 season and on 19 May 2008 the club dismissed coach Peter Sharp. A week later they appointed his assistant Richard Agar as his replacement. John Sharp has since been named as an addition to the Hull FC coaching staff. Hull finished a poor 11th in the League in 2008, falling far short of the fans expectations, although a Challenge cup final appearance and a successful franchise application ensured the season was not a complete failure. The club announced that Australian test forward Michael Crocker will sign for the club on a three-year contract from the start of the 2008–09 season. Fullback Chris Thorman has signed a one-year deal for 2009, after leaving Huddersfield. Matty Dale, Matt Sing and James Webster were released at the end of the season. Former HKR favourite – Webster having only played one game.

In March 2009 Michael Crocker was denied a visa to come to England to play for Hull FC. Hull FC announced four big name signings for the 2010 SL season: Craig Fitzgibbon, Mark O'Meley, Sean Long, and Jordan Tansey (although Tansey arrived at the club towards the end of the 2009 season, having been released early from his contract at Sydney Roosters). Several long serving players left the club at the end of the forgettable 2009 season, including Paul King, Graeme Horne, and Gareth Raynor.

Super League XV started well with five wins from the first seven games, the two losses coming away against Crusaders and Wigan Warriors. FC beat Hull KR 18–14 in the first derby of the year at Craven Park, but then followed a period of one win from five games, in which the team were convincingly knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Leeds. Hull FC finished the regular season in 6th place, however a convincing 21–4 home defeat to rivals Hull Kingston Rovers brought an early end to their playoff campaign.

On 22 July 2011 it was confirmed that Hull City's Head of Football Operations, Adam Pearson had purchased the entire shareholding of the club together with his close friend Mikey Drake and they had taken over full control from Kath Hetherington. In a statement on the club's website, it was also confirmed that James Rule would continue as chief executive.[9]

Richard Agar left the club at the end of the 2011 season and was replaced by Australian Peter Gentle. The 2012 season was a largely transitional one, with high player turnover and many injuries hampering the side's progress mid-season, however the club finished a respectable 6th in the regular season. They went on to convincingly beat Huddersfield in the first round of play-off games but fell to defeat away at Warrington in the preliminary semi-finals.

On 03/08/2013 their official Twitter page announced they had 15,000 followers

For the 2013 season, Hull again finished 6th in the regular season and beat Catalans at home in the first round of the play-offs but were comprehensively beaten 76-18 by Huddersfield in the second round. Hull also reached the Challenge cup final for the first time in 5 years but were beaten 16–0 by Wigan. On September 24, 2013 Hull FC announced the departure of Peter Gentle with two years still remaining on his contract. It is thought the record loss to Huddersfield in the play-offs along with the poor performance at Wembley were the main factors behind his demise. The next day Hull announced that 34 year old assistant Lee Radford will become Head Coach from 2014 and Andy Last would step up to become Lee's assistant. Also former player Motu Tony becomes the new director of football, replacing outgoing director Shaun McRae.

Super League results

Season summaries

Competition Played Won Drawn Lost Position
Super League III 23 8 0 15 9th
Super League IV 30 5 0 25 13th
Super League V 28 12 1 15 7th
Super League VI 28 20 2 6 3rd
Super League VII 28 16 0 12 5th
Super League VIII 28 13 3 12 7th
Super League IX 28 19 2 12 3rd
Super League X 28 15 2 11 5th
Super League XI 28 20 0 8 2nd
Super League XII 27 14 2 11 5th
Super League XIII 27 8 1 18 11th
Super League XIV 27 10 0 17 12th
Super League XV 27 16 0 11 6th
Super League XVI 27 13 1 13 8th
Super League XVII 27 15 2 10 6th
Super League XVIII 27 13 2 12 6th

2014 squad

* Announced on 9 November 2013:

2014 Hull F.C Squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coach

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice-captain(s)

Updated: 14 February 2014
Source(s): 2014 Squad Numbers


2014 transfers

Ins

Nat Name Moved From Length Date
Tonga Mickey Paea Hull Kingston Rovers 2 Years June 2013
England Jordan Thompson Castleford Tigers 1 Year September 2013
Samoa Iafeta Paleaaesina Limoux Grizzlies 2 Years September 2013
England Tom Biggs Bath RFC 2 Years October 2013
England Chris Tuson Wigan Warriors 2 Years October 2013
Tonga Fetuli Talanoa South Sydney Rabbitohs 1 Year November 2013
Australia Jordan Rankin Gold Coast Titans 2 Years November 2013
England Garreth Carvell Bradford Bulls 1 Year February 2014
England Liam Colbon London Broncos / Unattached 1 Year February 2014

Outs

Nat Name Moved To Length Date
England Danny Tickle Widnes Vikings 3 Years June 2013
Australia Ben Galea Retire N/A July 2013
Australia Mark O'Meley Retire N/A September 2013
Australia Brett Seymour Castleford Tigers 1 Year September 2013
England Andy Lynch Castleford Tigers 2 Years September 2013
England Tom Briscoe Leeds Rhinos 5 Years October 2013
England Paul Johnson Widnes Vikings 1 Year October 2013
Australia Daniel Holdsworth Cronulla Sharks 1 Year November 2013

Players

Hall of Fame

The following players have been inducted into Hull FC's Hall of Fame:[10]

Bill Drake · Chris Davidson · Gary Kemble · Greg Mackay · Ivor Watts · James Leuluai · Jim Drake · Keith Boxall · Mick Crane · Paul Prendiville · Richard Swain · Tevita Vaikona · Trevor Skerrett · Billy Batten · Jim Kennedy · Joe Oliver · Clive Sullivan · Peter Sterling · Garry Schofield · Mick Scott · Arthur Keegan · Tommy Harris · Paul Eastwood

Captains

Pre-Super League

1980–81: Steve Norton

1981–85: David Topliss

1985–87: Lee Crooks

1987–90: Dane O'Hara

1990–92: Greg MacKey

1992–94: Russ Walker

1994–96: Steve McNamara

1996: Gary Divorty

1997: Andy Fisher

Super League

Name Started Ended Notes
England Alan Hunte 1998 1998 Relinquished captaincy
Australia Gary Lester 1998 1998
England Karl Harrison 1999 1999 Retired
Australia Tony Grimaldi 2000 2001 Moved to Canterbury Bulldogs
Australia Jason Smith 2002 2004 Moved to Canberra Raiders
New Zealand Richard Swain 2005 2006 Relinquished captaincy
England Lee Radford 2007 2009 Relinquished captaincy
England Sean Long 2010 2011 Relinquished captaincy
Australia Craig Fitzgibbon 2011 2012 Retired to be assistant coach at Sydney Roosters
England Andy Lynch 2012 2012 Relinquished captaincy
England Gareth Ellis 2013 Present N/A

Representatives

Players earning international caps while at Hull:

Honours

Past coaches

Records

Player records

  1. ^ Hull's Australians at hullfc.com
  2. ^ "David Topliss: Sparkling rugby international". The Independent. London. 19 June 2008. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  3. ^ hullfc.com. "Coaches and Captains". History. Hull FC. Retrieved 18 December 2011.
  4. ^ "Factbox on sacked Penrith coach Royce Simmons". Australia: AAP Sports News. 11 September 2001. Retrieved 25 July 2010. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ Dave Hadfield (20 December 1995). "Rugby's pounds 87m deal gives Murdoch transfer veto". London: The Independent. Retrieved 6 May 2009.
  6. ^ Hadfield, Dave (22 April 1995). "British tours will survive the Super League fall-out". The Independent. London. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  7. ^ Laybourn, Ian (16 November 1999). "Gateshead fold as League agrees merger". The Independent. London.
  8. ^ Hadfield, Dave (27 November 1999). "Attempted revival of Don Valley club hits the buffers". The Independent. London. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  9. ^ "CLUB STATEMENT: ADAM PEARSON ON TAKEOVER". Hull F.C. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 22 July 2011.
  10. ^ "Hall of Fame". hullfc.com. Hull FC. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
  11. ^ http://www.rlef.eu.com/other/report?RLE00000251
  12. ^ http://www.rlef.eu.com/other/report?RLE00000250
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