From todays Guardian.

Quote: Funk-Doc "Less than four years ago, Hull FC's memorable Challenge Cup triumph against Leeds in Cardiff was sandwiched between defeats for Hull KR against Whitehaven and Rochdale Hornets in the unsponsored National League One. Yet Rovers go into Saturday's derby at Craven Park as odds-on favourites to extend their advantage over their fierce local rivals to 7-3 in the last three seasons, riding high in the top four of the Super League table while FC languish in 11th.

First, huge credit where it is due to Hull Kingston Rovers, starting from their chairman Neil Hudgell and Justin Morgan, the coach he appointed in that summer of 2005. Hudgell, a local solicitor and passionate Rovers fan, started with ambition and vision, and had the drive and intelligence to turn unlikely dreams into reality.

He spotted Morgan's potential during an equally unlikely run to the Challenge Cup semi-finals with Toulouse in 2005, and the Wales-qualified Australian delivered the necessary promotion in his first full season in charge, and then Super League consolidation the following year.

The steady progress has continued, with a seventh-placed finish last season and now the likelihood not only of a play-off debut, but of a second chance even if they lose in the first round – the reward for finishing in the top four. Watching Rovers push Leeds to the limit at Headingley last Friday was to be reminded of the quality of Morgan's signings, from Scott Murrell in the promotion season to Michael Vella, Ben Galea, Clint Newton, Michael Dobson and Peter Fox.

But having said all that, Hull FC must take some responsibility for their own demise. There was something patronising about the welcome they gave Rovers when they arrived in the Super League in 2007, and a widespread assumption that the decision to arrange four derbies in that first season was effectively a gift of eight points.

How could Rovers, in a relatively ramshackle Craven Park, ever hope to compete with FC, established Super League heavyweights having appeared in the 2006 Old Trafford grand final to follow the previous year's Challenge Cup win, and now ensconced with Hull City at the magnificent KC Stadium?

There was a first hint when Hudgell nipped in to sign Paul Cooke, who had scored FC's match-winning try in Cardiff, without paying a transfer fee, having spotted irregularities in his contract. Rovers were later punished for that, but not before Cooke had helped them to a derby win in Cardiff during the first Millennium Magic weekend, and another at the KC Stadium that secured their Super League safety.

That set the tone for the last couple of years: Hull KR sharp and opportunist, Hull FC sluggish and alarmingly accident-prone. So it was Rovers who made Dobson an offer he couldn't refuse, while FC were stuck with Adam Dykes; after sacking their cup-winning coach John Kear, FC also sent Danny Brough and Shaun Briscoe packing, Briscoe to become an international full-back with Rovers; Rovers signed Vella, FC Hutch Maiava.

Hull have also contrived not only to sign Jamie Thackray twice, but to play him illegally in last year's Challenge Cup because of another administrative oversight – an error that could, and many believe should, have cost them a trip to Wembley.

Sure, they have been unlucky, with injuries and especially Michael Crocker's visa refusal. But it must be more than bad luck to squander such a strong position and allow their formerly rock-bottom rivals to leave them for dead. It's not surprising that the admirably loyal supporters who produced another five-figure gate for last Friday's visit of Celtic Crusaders are running short of patience, even if the coach Richard Agar is an undeserving recipient of their wrath.

Hull KR's opportunism has put local rivals FC is the Super League shade | Andy Wilson | Sport | guardian.co.uk (23 July 2009)

the more i read the wider the smile

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