Not sure if it's been mentioned already, but there is a real sense or irony in terms of Richard Horne and his retirement.

Hull FC - a club we'll known for spending big on old players past their prime.

Richard Horne a player that has shown unquestionable loyalty to Hull FC.

Richard Horne who under last years coaching regime was arguably one of the best performing half's as stated by new coach Lee Radford at the fans forum before the 2014 season started.

2014 see's a new coach in the Lee Radford, who didn't show the club the same degree of loyalty, in leaving hull for Bradford early in his playing career. Again returning to the club when he had past his best.

During 2014 Hornes performances under Radford dipped. I wonder if Radfords influence is related? Radford talking openly in the media relating to conversations with Horne were he questioned if Richard "still has what it takes" would hardly do much for confidence.

The decision that Richard Horne will not be offered a new contract to play in Lee Radfords team in 2015.

So we have Richard Horne, life long club man who I have had the pleasure of watching throughout his career retiring at the age of 32.

To be replaced by spending big on Leon Pryce, also 32 years of age. Another player just like his "friend" Lee Radford who's loyalty is first and foremost to themselves.

Priceless

Fair points there

Good points, well made. It's clear to anyone with a brain that Leon Pryce is only coming here because he was Radford's mate at Bratfut.

Agree on the points too.

I'd have quite liked to have seen a Horne & Sneyd partnership next season. It's clear when looking back through Horne's career, he's been at his very best when he's been playing alongside a decent 7. No coincidence that last year was his best season for ages alongside Holdsworth.

What a load of old paranoid rubbish.

Agreed. Ive been one of Hornes biggest fans but you can see hes in the twilight of his career. To offer him a new contract would of been foolish as that money should be spent on the future and either Abdull or HTW or both.

Could it be that at the age of 32 and after a career littered with some major injuries that RH has decided that his body cannot go round again. At the start of each season (when fit) RH has looked fresh and by the end of the season he resembles an Egyptian Mummy. His right arm is always fully strapped by the middle of the season. I dread to think how much strapping he has under his shirt and his legs often look strapped.

Some players can continue. Ellis, Peacock et al not because they are better or have looked after themselves any better, but simply because their bodies have coped better. Horney was in the first team at 16. Thats 16 years of car crash impacts on his body. If you look at pictures of him 16 years ago compared to today, you can see how he was just a small boy when he hit the first team. His body was not ready for SL. It must have taken its toll.

My one disappointment in all this is that he was not allowed to retire. Instead he was told and we were told he was surplus to requirements. He should have been allowed to hang up his boots without it being common knowledge that we didn't want him.

I will look back on the years of watching Horney with pleasure and pride. He has worn the irregular hoops with distinction and pride. I could never say that of Radford. Richard Horne is a modern day Johnny Whiteley and for that we must all be grateful.

On the face of it some fair points but the very fact that Rich Horne has been so committed and has put his body on the line so often and from such an early age means that he is probably worn out. Pryce on the other hand has looked after number one as the OP said and probably as a result of that has incurred less wear and tear over the years allowing him to extend his career - hopefully still at the top level - for the next year or so.

I agree, that was a shame.

Horne's brilliant on his day but with his body how many good games will we get out of him? The time is right for him to hang up his boots. Hope he does end up working with the kids.

Richard Horne has been a good servant to the club but it's clear that enough is enough. We have been desperate for a different kind of half for years now and to even suggest keeping him on just because of that is stupid.

We need to try at least to move forward.

At the now defunct fans forum pre season Radders was full of praise for Horne, injuries an all.

Said something along the lines of "if we get 16 games from Rich this year that will be great, will will manage his diabetes and his recovery between games"

As we also know a chunk of Hornes wage is off cap.

Unlike Pryce, who at 33 next season, when he actually plays for us will be all on cap.

great business Hull

Rich should of been left to play Full Back his whole career he would of been up there with the best in the world. Never was he a half back. Thank you Rich for your loyalty and putting your body on the line every time you played for the Mighty Black n Whites

Utterly ridiculous OP. Considering the battering he has taken over the years and his courage in never shirking anything when he has come back from setbacks that would have finished most people - retirement is the best option for him personally. I sincerely hope he goes out in a blaze of glory and leaves an abiding memory of what a great player he has been. The last thing I'd like to see is a smashed up player going round one time too many and struggling to do anything and finishing with a whimper. Pryce may be the same age but he has a much more robust body at this stage of his career - also the Bratfut connection is laughable - don't his years at Saints (where he was probably at his peak) and Cats in between count for anything, especially as they are more relevant when judging his capabilities?

Except the salary cap exempt element of RH's salary will move to another longstanding player, or split between them, i.e. Whiting, Yeaman - so Hull won't be any worse off.