.....make it into your all time Hull FC team?

I've been watching since '78 so that's my starting point. Ellis would be the first one I'd pick (legend). Mini would also make it I think.
If Kelly carries on as he has done, I might let him partner Sterlo!

Ellis definitely.

Mini possibly.

Kelly long way to go. Wait and see.

Houghton and Taylor won't be far off, difficult when so many of us have seen difference eras.

Hooker would be one of the more difficult positions to choose. Jackson, Swain and Houghton would all have a great shout.

All great players, the way Jackson left, still leaves a bad taste IMO. Very close between Swain and Houghton, both have areas of strength, Houghton sneaks it for me, because of his years at the club.

Houghton has surpassed Swain for me.

I think to gain true legend status, this team needs to win a Grand Final. After that, then we can start talking about 'best ever' teams with these players in it.

Heart says Houghton, head says Swain.

My dad started watching Hull FC in 1912 and the best he saw was Tommy Harris. I started in 1946 and my best is also Tommy Harris. No other hooker anywhere near him.

Too right - Tommy Harris, the others mentioned are not even close.
Ellis the only other one mentioned I'd consider a possibility, but we've
had some wonderful backrowers & the game has changed so much its a difficult comparison.

Swain just edges Houghton for me for his leadership qualities. Yes - Danny has tackle 52 but i'll never forget Swains charge down in 2005.

One stopped a draw, one stopped a defeat. That's the way I see it.

Both great moments though!

We had the all time Hull team discussion a couple of years ago and many of the points in that remain valid. Of the current team probably only Ellis has the runs on the board to be a serious candidate for the starting line up. That is not to say that there are others that may finish up there.

Houghton is a great player but is up against some seriously good competition, indeed this must be the strongest position in the clubs history.

Of the others it is a matter of putting together a number of further productive seasons so there are a huge number of ifs and buts. RL is a tough game and sadly career affecting injury is always lurking in the background. So of the current squad I would say

Shaul - needs another 5 good years at least and this historically a strong position at the club.

Fonua - Slips under the radar a bit. Would need to stay a long time but this is unlikely as he is good enough for a place in the NRL.

Kelly - way too early and past history isn't encouraging. Having said that he is a prodigiously talented player.

Sneyd - half back isn't one with many contenders. Several more productive seasons and he comes right into it. His goal kicking since the start of last season is the best I've seen.

Watts, Taylor - They both could be around for a long time yet and though already good they have room for further improvement.

I like Mini but he's among a lot of other contenders and won't be able to get the service in some have.

The other thing to remember though is that its a team game and some of the best teams aren't necessarily overloaded with great individuals though there will be one or two in there.

Swain just edges it on ability for me, both fantastic players though. Can only imagine if we had then both in the squad together rotating off the bench, we'd never let a try in!

As for the rest of the squad I think Ellis deserves a spot, both for lifting a poor team in his early years here, and lifting the Cup.

Hard to judge a 'hall of fame' team though, due to different fitness levels and styles over the decades. Was only thinking the other day that some of the creative players we had just 10-15 years ago such as Blacklock and Ritchie Barnett wouldent be much good in todays super league as they were somewhat fragile and would rather look to make a break and possibly give away an error rather than play it safe and play sets out.

Also its a debate as to wether you pick players purely on ability or if you take length of service in to account, Stephen Kearney is one of the most talented players ive seen in the Black & White and his performance in the CC semi a contender for best individual display ive seen, but he was only here for one year.

Its hard trying to decide who's best when the players are from different times. Batten . Harris.whiteley. Norton. Topliss .Sullivan. The list goes on. Best fullback I've seen for hull was Keegan. Different game through the ages. Have seen some wonderful players over the ages and still seeing them now .

Blacklock was one of the most bizarre players I can remember playing for us.

I'd look down at the wing and think "where is he?", and sure enough he'd be in centre field 'tracking' the play looking for scraps . A gifted player and one who'd I'd have loved to have seen play for us in his prime. The try away at Leeds sticks out, as does the pass for Raynor's try in the 2005 CC.


On your last point, I think for me the mark of a 'hall of famer' is what mark did they leave on the club, what was their legacy. It's difficult to assess whilst they're still playing and only when the dust has settled do you realise what they brought/gave to the club.