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Missing image Hull_FC.PNG Hull FC traditional shirt design Hull FC is a professional rugby league club based in Hull. The club was formed in 1865 and was one of the founder members of the Northern Union which was formed in 1895. Later that year they moved to the Hull Athletic Club's ground at the Boulevard, Airlie Street, which gave rise to their nickname "The Airlie Birds". Traditionally people from the west side of Hull supported Hull FC while Hull Kingston Rovers were supported by the east half, the 'border' usually being regarded as the River Hull.
HistoryThe early years of the Northern Union saw Hull prosper, and their famous black and white irregular hooped jerseys became one of the most famous and feared strips in the League. Between 1908-10, Hull lost three consecutive Challenge Cup Finals, and has in fact lost in more major finals than anyone else. In 1913 they paid a world record £600, plus £14 per match, to Hunslet for Billy Batten. A year later the Airlie Birds won their first Challenge Cup, beating Huddersfield in the semi-final and Wakefield Trinity in the final. In 1920 Batten was once again key in Hull's first ever Championship final, scoring the only try in the 3-2 victory over Huddersfield. The early 1920s were bittersweet years for the club. In 1921 Hull won the Yorkshire Cup but lost the county championship, both against rivals Hull Kingston Rovers. Hull couldn’t match the successes of 1914, losing a further two consecutive cup finals in 1922-23 to Rochdale Hornets and Leeds respectively, but they managed to win the Yorkshire Cup and finish top of the league. After the second world war, Hull won two Championship in three years, beating Halifax in 1956 and Workington Town in 1958. These two triumphs healed the wound of two successive Yorkshire Cupfinal defeats in 1955 and 1957. They lost in two further Challenge Cup finals to Wigan and Wakefield in 1959 and 1960. All these reverses, when one hand had been grasping so many trophies, gave Hull a steely resolve and a thirst for success. With the coaching appointment of Arthur Bunting Hull FC began a period of dominance. Returning to the top flight undefeated in 1978-79, the Airlie Birds lost the 1980 Challenge Cup final to Hull KR. In 1982, Hull, crushed by Widnes in the Premiership final, avenged the defeat with an 18-9 Challenge Cup replay win. Hull won the league in 1983, also reaching the Premiership final, the Challenge Cup final and the Yorkshire Cup final, but the latter trophy would be their only reward from the three finals. The signing of Australian Peter Sterling maintained Hull’s strength, and Bunting’s men went to their third successive Yorkshire Cup, but were edged out in arguably the greatest ever Challenge Cupfinal by Wigan at Wembley Stadium in 1985. A number of subsequent coaches, such as Brian Smith and Noel Cleal failed to deliver consistent success. Hull lost the Premiership Final in 1989 to Widnes, but two years later returned to beat them at Old Trafford. When the Super League was formed, it was suggested that Hull should merge with Hull Kingston Rovers to form 'Humberside'. This was resisted but the club changed its name to Hull Sharks. The club did not join the Super League until 1997. Hull and Gateshead Thunder merged at the end of 1999 and Hull reverted to their original name, Gateshead later reforming as a new club but retaining the Thunder tag. Ex-St Helens and Gateshead Thunder coach Shaun McRae has been at the helm since 2000. After 107 years at the Boulevard Hull moved to their new home at the £44m state-of-the-art Kingston Communications Stadium (more commonly known as the KC Stadium) in January 2003. Shaun McRae left the club to return to Australia at the end of the 2004 season; he is due to be replaced by former England coach John Kear, who had previously been McRea's deputy. Honours
RecordsPlayer records
Team records
External links
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