some kids develop faster than others, some get signed at 16 and never make it and leave the game,the hull area is very strong after U16 ,at U18 level with myton warriors and west hull the best 2 sides in yorkshire same at U17 cottingham tigers and west hull and some of these players may come though to academy level this year . Hull look to be improving coaching at scholarship and changing staff at academy level so we should see if its the coaching or maybe just not enough quality about. But having watched alot of games at these levels all over the youth game i havent seen better players at other clubs nationally , but they seem to get players coming though

The change to summer youth rugby would be superb as it would finally get away from the whole bigger is better at youth level and would give the later developers who may be smaller faster player more opportunity to shine instead of some massive kid who started puberty very early playing in thick mud where speed isn't important its all about size.

In my opinion the Hull area has rarely produced rugby league players of international quality.Johnny Whitely (50s), Phil Lowe (60s) add Flash Flanagan, Lee Crooks and Lee Jackson to name 5 in 50 years who have been regular GB picks. Big issue is generally size of a lot of players who have the basic skills but lack the size and strength of a lot of West Riding and Lancashire lads. Not unique to Hull but drinking culture drags a lot down. We just don't seem to have players of the quality of the Tomkins, Eastmonds, Grahams etc coming through. Leeds have built their recent success around Maguire, Burrows and Sinfield - when did we last produce players of their ability ?
Not producing enough SL quality home grown players means we are constantly in a period of short term recruitment having to bring in aging players on big contracts.

should have invited the superfan

FWIW back in the day I think Richard Horne and Paul Cooke suited us just fine and they were equally as devastating when in form (this was proved it in the '05 challenge cup)

...but i agree with your original point and I would put some of that down to quality coaching

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www.hullfc.com/hullfc/contents/?p=6919