Really good article in the HDM today where Adrian Durham of Talksport describes what being a Hull FC fan means to him. The bit about Lee Jackson at the Boulevard really resonates with me as that was around the time I started going having.


talkSPORT's Adrian Durham: Why I'd rather score a Hull derby try than a Premier League goal

CAPTIVATED by what he could make out through the grainy picture on the TV screen, Adrian Durham sat, engrossed at what was taking place before him.

It looked like rugby, but what was the reason for passing the ball backwards with the heel?

Growing up in Peterborough in the 1970s on a diet of football, with a side helping of whatever else he could find on television, it was in these formative years a passion for rugby league would be nurtured by the now talkSPORT radio presenter and columnist.

The over-sized aerial sticking out the back of the set, which anyone growing up in that era will relate to, had somehow picked up Yorkshire TV.

While the sport taking place was alien, a young Durham knew instantly it was for him.

How a sport fanatic from Peterborough became one of Hull FC's biggest fans is more straightforward than you'd expect. Get Durham talking about rugby league and his passion for the city and FC specifically, shines through.

"It all started when I was young. I stumbled across a rugby league highlights show called RL Action on Yorkshire TV," Durham explained.

"Living in Peterborough, it was a fuzzy picture that we picked up, but I was enthralled. I wondered what the back heel thing was all about.

"But I loved the speed, the physicality and the courage. The ball always seemed to be in play and visible, which you can't say about rugby union or football."

Durham's career path from Peterborough to talkSPORT's studios in London went via Hull where he graduated with a degree in Politics and Sociology.

It was during his time there that he found out that back heel thing which had initially drawn his gaze was called playing the ball.

He recalls his first game as if it was yesterday. "It was an Easter Monday derby at the Boulevard in our Premiership winning season of 1991," added Durham.

"Noel Cleal was the coach and FC won 28-16. I was completely wrapped up in the occasion, the atmosphere and loved everything about it.

"I remember watching Lee Jackson grab hold of his role in the team and took it to places no other hooker had done before. He was a top player.

"I already loved the sport before that day, but that day was something very special for me."

His love affair with FC cemented that 1991 season, Durham's career may have taken him all over the country but he's always returned to Hull as the years have passed by, at first the Boulevard and then the KCOM Stadium as often as possible to watch his side play.

He's seen staggering lows, mediocrity, and highs which are difficult to top, but if that first Easter Monday game was a special occasion, the 227th derby at the Lightstream Stadium three weeks ago was another level up.

Watching Hull brings out the best and the worst in him like no other team can.

"I truly support four teams – by truly, I mean I make a consistent physical, emotional and financial commitment to those teams," said Durham.

"They are Hull FC, Peterborough United as well as both England RL and football.

"When Posh, or either England teams concede or lose I feel resigned, I show very little emotion. I don't like it but I can contain it. With FC I am fanatical.

"For 60 minutes at the Lightstream, I was absolutely raging. Fuming. Then for 20 minutes I was ecstatic.

"Emotions take over when it comes to FC, I just can't help it.

"I nearly got thrown out of a Challenge Cup defeat at Headingley once when Steve Prescott was clotheslined and the referee failed to give a penalty try. I went absolutely crazy, it must have been Ganson."

Durham is more used to talking about football than his love of rugby league these days, joined by ex-England cricketer Darren Gough for his drive time show. But when it comes to comparing the two, there is only one winner.

"I love both sports, so I wouldn't run Premier League football down at all," Durham said.

"Premier League and Super League are both elite level sport at their very best.

"It seems so wrong that the bigger physical commitment of league is not reflected in salaries for the players, though. But I guess Premier League attracts more fans and sponsorship.

"Cheating is frowned on far more in Super League than in the Premier League, but the main difference is the players.

"In Super League they seem much more down to earth, less aloof and generally nicer.

"Given the choice of scoring a winning goal in the Premier League or scoring the winning try in a derby, unquestionably it would be a derby winning try."

www.hulldailymail.co.uk/talkSPOR ... um=twitter

Really good article in the HDM today where Adrian Durham of Talksport describes what being a Hull FC fan means to him. The bit about Lee Jackson at the Boulevard really resonates with me as that was around the time I started going having.


talkSPORT's Adrian Durham: Why I'd rather score a Hull derby try than a Premier League goal

CAPTIVATED by what he could make out through the grainy picture on the TV screen, Adrian Durham sat, engrossed at what was taking place before him.

It looked like rugby, but what was the reason for passing the ball backwards with the heel?

Growing up in Peterborough in the 1970s on a diet of football, with a side helping of whatever else he could find on television, it was in these formative years a passion for rugby league would be nurtured by the now talkSPORT radio presenter and columnist.

The over-sized aerial sticking out the back of the set, which anyone growing up in that era will relate to, had somehow picked up Yorkshire TV.

While the sport taking place was alien, a young Durham knew instantly it was for him.

How a sport fanatic from Peterborough became one of Hull FC's biggest fans is more straightforward than you'd expect. Get Durham talking about rugby league and his passion for the city and FC specifically, shines through.

"It all started when I was young. I stumbled across a rugby league highlights show called RL Action on Yorkshire TV," Durham explained.

"Living in Peterborough, it was a fuzzy picture that we picked up, but I was enthralled. I wondered what the back heel thing was all about.

"But I loved the speed, the physicality and the courage. The ball always seemed to be in play and visible, which you can't say about rugby union or football."

Durham's career path from Peterborough to talkSPORT's studios in London went via Hull where he graduated with a degree in Politics and Sociology.

It was during his time there that he found out that back heel thing which had initially drawn his gaze was called playing the ball.

He recalls his first game as if it was yesterday. "It was an Easter Monday derby at the Boulevard in our Premiership winning season of 1991," added Durham.

"Noel Cleal was the coach and FC won 28-16. I was completely wrapped up in the occasion, the atmosphere and loved everything about it.

"I remember watching Lee Jackson grab hold of his role in the team and took it to places no other hooker had done before. He was a top player.

"I already loved the sport before that day, but that day was something very special for me."

His love affair with FC cemented that 1991 season, Durham's career may have taken him all over the country but he's always returned to Hull as the years have passed by, at first the Boulevard and then the KCOM Stadium as often as possible to watch his side play.

He's seen staggering lows, mediocrity, and highs which are difficult to top, but if that first Easter Monday game was a special occasion, the 227th derby at the Lightstream Stadium three weeks ago was another level up.

Watching Hull brings out the best and the worst in him like no other team can.

"I truly support four teams – by truly, I mean I make a consistent physical, emotional and financial commitment to those teams," said Durham.

"They are Hull FC, Peterborough United as well as both England RL and football.

"When Posh, or either England teams concede or lose I feel resigned, I show very little emotion. I don't like it but I can contain it. With FC I am fanatical.

"For 60 minutes at the Lightstream, I was absolutely raging. Fuming. Then for 20 minutes I was ecstatic.

"Emotions take over when it comes to FC, I just can't help it.

"I nearly got thrown out of a Challenge Cup defeat at Headingley once when Steve Prescott was clotheslined and the referee failed to give a penalty try. I went absolutely crazy, it must have been Ganson."

Durham is more used to talking about football than his love of rugby league these days, joined by ex-England cricketer Darren Gough for his drive time show. But when it comes to comparing the two, there is only one winner.

"I love both sports, so I wouldn't run Premier League football down at all," Durham said.

"Premier League and Super League are both elite level sport at their very best.

"It seems so wrong that the bigger physical commitment of league is not reflected in salaries for the players, though. But I guess Premier League attracts more fans and sponsorship.

"Cheating is frowned on far more in Super League than in the Premier League, but the main difference is the players.

"In Super League they seem much more down to earth, less aloof and generally nicer.

"Given the choice of scoring a winning goal in the Premier League or scoring the winning try in a derby, unquestionably it would be a derby winning try."

www.hulldailymail.co.uk/talkSPOR ... um=twitter