My first Derby at old Craven Park, Eva Hardaker Cup, think I was about 6. Dad and me had got the bus from Sewerby, we were holidaying in a caravan, first week of school term. My dad’s Rovers mate, off dock, had got him and us tickets in the best stand. Just before kick off, dad said, “If we’re losing at halftime, you hit the lad and I’ll hit his dad” I was gobsmacked. Halftime approached and yes we were losing, as the whistle went, I screwed myself up and gave the blokes lad a half hearted punch on the shoulder. Dad fell about laughing and when he explained to his mate, he did too. Never saw the lad again and don’t know what he thought of it. FC got the cup and we got back to Sewerby gone midnight. Happy days.
Best memory I have of Boulevard was getting in free at 3/4 time and sliding down the back of Bunkers Hill, it was cinders and it ripped your knees to bits if you did it wrong.

A great memory Freddie.

My Dad first saw Hull v Batley in 1946. He followed them constantly until his death in 2014. Without hesitation, he always said Bruce Ryan was the greatest player he ever saw play for Hull in those 70 years.

Another funny memory he shared was from the 1950’s. He said we had a forward who was so short sighted, he once broke through the opposition defence and dived over the line thinking he’d scored a try, only to discover he’d just dived over the 25 yard line, much to the Threepenny Stand’s amusement.

My first Derby was actually away at Rovers in about September 1977 at the old Craven Park.

Our goalkicker David Marshall missed a simple penalty under the sticks. As most of the Rovers fans cheered, our winger calming caught the rebound off the upright to score under the posts and the cheering switched to the old Greyhound scoreboard end, where the Hull fans used to stand. Think we won about 20-12 that day.

Dave Marshall had a habit of missing important goals for us, he missed one on the Boulevard which culminated in our relegation. It may have been against Widnes, but memory fades.

Remember an away win at the old Craven Park that kept us up one year.
I’m sure Hussein M’Barki scored one, and we had the side stepping Paul Fletcher at full back for us, and he tormented Rovers all game.

Also remember the Andy Ireland drop goal away to Rovers. The day after Diana died that game.

The other away game at Rovers was the same year, when they nearly took our unbeaten record. They scored late on , missed the goal and Tevita went and scored.
My mate who’d been off sick with a chronic leg problem forgot himself and was jumping about when they missed the goal. Once he realised, he was in agony!

IIRC It was Widnes. - Keith Boxall blasted over under the sticks. Marshall had a `Don Fox' moment - fluffed the Kick.
It was reported he was so upset left the field, got in his car & drove straight back to leeds

I used to be a ball boy for Hull, it ensured free entry at least and even did the A team matches. One in particular stood out , when Wayne Proctor was just beginning to feature in Hulls 15 at the time, but not a regular. Anyway, Hull scored and Proctor received the subsequent restart and glided 80 yards for a great try, albeit against weak opposition. He then collected another restart and repeated the trick in identical fashion. I often wonder why he never really went on to great things, although he did play for GB I recall and went on tour, his career fizzled out soon after. He'd be great in the modern game, so pacy and mobile and I often remember thinking we'd have Proctor and Crooks in the same pack for years to come. Sadly, that was not the case , but Crooksy at least went on to great things with Castleford , after his move to Leeds never worked out for hi,.

I definitely remember where I was on two of our greatest moments.

Firstly, Friday 8th April 1983. Due to our Challenge Cup semi final being played on Easter Saturday, the Derby got moved to the following Friday. This was the ultimate title decider. Played in front of 20,500 fans packed into The Boulevard, Hull ran out comfortable winners to all but seal the title. I never forget the date, as this was my sister’s wedding day and I ended up sitting in the car listening to the match with the Best Man (a Rovers fan!). However, I still remind my sister every year that it is the anniversary of Hull winning the most important Derby played in Hull.

Fast forward to late August 2016. I was on holiday New York. We were following the game online we lost our signal with Hull losing 10-0 with less than 20 minutes to go. Then in McDonalds on 42nd Street, my son picked up a signal just before me, raised his fist in the air and said the immortal words, ‘Jamie Shaul! They’ve done it!’ Thankfully, we where both at Wembley the following year to see them retain the Cup!

I remember as a very young man, I had managed to get a place in the rovers stand, Hull were leading at Craven Park by an Alan Maglone drop goal, minutes to go I shouted, “drop another one Alan”

“I’ll fxzxzxg drop you in a minute you little bxzxzxxd” was the riposte from one of the older gentleman.

Even as a Rovers fan, I'm enjoying your reminiscing, it reminds me of some of my moments and why we all grew up to love the game.

Classic games, amazing players, superb days.

Beautiful memories.

Let’s not forget Ronnie Wileman’s try!

Hull 12 Hull KR 4, John Player Cup Final, Headingley. Att. 25,000, January 1982

At the play the ball, just on half way, Ronnie picked up the ball and ran down the blind side. It felt like he was running in slow motion and took an age to get too the line, but he was still too quick for the Rovers cover. Happy days!

I was there with my brother and the look on Ronnie's face as he hared, through treacle it seemed , was enough to put Fairburn off making a lunge. I think Ronnie would have hospitalised him if he had! Great memory.