I agree there are issues with the coaching of our young players, and when we do think they`re ready coaches do duck out, partic. with threequarters, and play them out of position. BUT, a lot of Hull fans over-estimate how good they are, and in all honesty, over recent seasons there have been very few young players with the size, skill, and SPEED needed to succeed at super league level.
In comparison, look at the players who come through at Wigan, Saints, and Leeds. Hull might be a hotbed of amateur rugby in terms of numbers, but when, for example, did we last produce a top class centre, stand off, or scrum half [ please don`t say Tommy Lee], all key areas we are desperate to fill?

Sorry Mrs B but isn't Whiting a Fev lad?

Just like another previous poster said, we produced the best young players (how many times did they win the grand final?), it's just that they never made the next step up and this is where the problem would appear to lie!

The question has to be is it the club that is failing these promising young players or like someone else said, is it the mentality of the people of Hull in general?

The fact that both Hull clubs have a lack of real in depth local talent could point to the latter. If this is the case would it be benefical to have someone employed to work with the youngsters regarding aptitude / mental toughness etc...?

the squad for the 2nd round of the play offs fc v wigan

1 Motu Tony
2 Matt Sing
21 Richard Whiting
4 Kirk Yeaman
5 Gareth Raynor
6 Richard Horne
7 Mathew Head
8 Ewan Dowes
23 Tommy Lee
10 Garreth Carvell
11 Lee Radford (C)
16 Willie Manu
12 Danny Tickle

14 Wayne Godwin
14 Danny Washbrook
16 Scott Wheeldon
19 Paul King

Am I right in thinking that the only Hull born players with a GF winners medal are Radford and Wilkin?

didnt lee jackson win an aussie winners gf medal

Ian Kirke with Leeds?

yes with newcastle knights



don't think ian kirke is from hull

His dad's a local school teacher.

Forgot Antony Sullivan has one as well.

i guess its still pretty poor showing given the size of hull.we produce half decent kids but generally thats about it,with few developing into top drawer players.is the talent stiffled?

Fully agree and I think the personality of the player needs to be given higher priority than it is currently as potential is nothing without dedication.

Our two professional clubs also need to realise that theres many amateur clubs in the area not just the same 3 or 4 that they get their players from year in year out.

That may be part of the problem we only have a limited number of amatuer clubs producing all our players. Across in Wigan for example there are plenty of surrounding towns with a wider variety of clubs and bigger pool of players to choose.

Lee Richardson made an interesting point about the mentality at a club like Wigan St Pats. He thinks their sole aim is to provide future pros for Wigan and develop players accordingly whereas the Hull based amatuer clubs tend to focus on their own club development and striving to make their team stronger.

I guess he means that St Pats get more pleasure producing pro players (I think 4 ex players are going on tour to the 4 nations) compared to the Hull clubs who prioritise winning trophies.

any ideas who our "scouts" are, I certainly have no clue, it seems Fubar watches Featherstone, Donkey watches East Hull, who else do we have looking for talent?