Information AboutHull Fc |
Hull FC is a professional Rugby League club formed in 1865 and based in Hull . They were one of the founder members of the Northern Union which was formed in 1895. Later that year they moved to the Hull Athletic Club's ground at the Boulevard, Airlie Street, which gave rise to their nickname "The Thunder Birds". Traditionally people from the west side of Hull supported Hull FC while Hull Kingston Rovers were supported by the east half, the 'border' usually being regarded as the River Hull . The current club was formed in 1999 after Hull (then known as '''Hull Sharks''') merged with Gateshead Thunder in order to avoid Relegation and potential financial ruin. HISTORY The early years of the Northern Union saw Hull prosper, and their famous 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 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 . A year later the Airlie Birds won their first Challenge Cup, beating Huddersfield in the semi-final and Wakefield Trinity in the final. 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. After the second world war, Hull won two Championship in three years, beating Halifax in 1956 and Workington Town in 1958 . These two 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 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. With the coaching appointment of Arthur Bunting Hull FC began a period of dominance. Returning to the top flight undefeated in 1978-79, the Airlie Birds lost the 1980 Challenge Cup final against Hull KR 10-5 and have never needed to win at Wembley again. In 1982 , Hull, crushed by Widnes in the Premiership final, avenged the defeat with an 18-9 Challenge Cup replay win. 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. The signing of Australia n Peter Sterling maintained Hull’s strength, and Bunting’s men went to their third successive Yorkshire Cup , but were edged out in arguably the greatest ever Challenge Cup final by Wigan at Wembley Stadium in 1985 . A number of subsequent coaches, such as Brian Smith and Noel Cleal 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 . When the Super League was formed, it was suggested that Hull should merge with Hull Kingston Rovers to form 'Humberside'. This was resisted but the club changed its name to 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. The club did not join the Super League until 1997. Hull and Gateshead Thunder merged at the end of 1999 , after the owner of the two clubs could not afford to keep both afloat and Hull reverted to their original name, Gateshead later reforming as a new club but retaining the Thunder tag. Ex- St Helens and Gateshead Thunder coach Shaun McRae was at the helm from 2000 up to 2004. After 107 years at the Boulevard Hull moved in January 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 to the Challenge Cup final for the first time since 1985. Hull defeated Leeds Rhinos 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 a 1 point lead, which they held onto after Hull 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 3rd April 2006 after a disappointing start to the season, which saw Hull FC lose 4 out of their first 7 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. HONOURS
RECORDS Player records
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