1 day Ago By [email protected] (Daniel Tomlinson)
When Hull FC legend Danny Houghton hangs up his boots on Saturday evening, he will retire as a very proud man. And so he should. A club captain, double Challenge Cup winner, and former Man of Steel, he is one of the most decorated Hull players ever and their third highest appearance maker of all time.
There's no surprise then that Houghton has no regrets. Again, nor should he. This is a player that has stayed humble to the end, through the good and the bad, and one that has never forgotten his Bransholme roots.
Now preparing to lead Hull out for one last time at the MKM Stadium, Houghton, confident he will overcome a calf issue to feature against Catalans Dragons in the 2024 season finale, is ready to bring the curtain down on an outstanding player career, with the 35-year-old declaring it is the 'right time' to move on. Speaking in his final pre-match press conference as a Hull FC player, Houghton said: "It all had to come to an end at some point, but I've had a great journey. I've loved every moment that I've been apart of this club—the highs, the lows, and in-betweens.
I've met some great people along the way, and that's what this sport gives you—friendships for life—and I've been blessed to meet so many good people. "I've got no regrets. I'm very comfortable and happy that I'll be hanging the boots up this year.
I've said it before, but if I can't give 100% to this club, then I won't carry on. It's definitely the right time for the club and myself to move forward. I'm ready for it now.
My body is telling me that it's time. It's time also for this next generation of players to come through, make their way, and establish themselves in this group. "Come full-time, there might be relief; there might be sadness or tears; I don't know yet, but I know I'm ready for the moment.
I've prepared myself all season. When I re-signed for this year, I knew that it was going to be my last, so I wanted to make sure that I enjoyed every moment. I'm really glad that I've done that.
I haven't played as much as I wanted to in terms of appearances, but that's another reason why I know it's time." Confirming his retirement at the end of last month, Houghton's place as a modern-day club legend is already secured. But despite the prestige that comes his way, there's a sense of gratitude, with the boyhood Black and White forever grateful for the support he's received.
"The support has been unbelievable," Houghton, talking to Hull Live, continued. "I've had people from different clubs, different countries, people who I've never spoken to before who have reached out. It's pretty special and amazing that I've been able to give that to spectators and fans across the country.
I'm pretty honoured. "Hull FC has been my life for the best part of 30 years, really, from being stood in the stands. When you debut as a kid, you're just in a whirlwind, aren't you, but over the last sort of 14/15 years, it really has been my life.
You get invested in it, the good times are amazing and the hard times hurt. All I want for this club is for it to be back to the top, and hopefully, as a fan moving forward, I can witness it happen." And while things are tough right now, with Hull aiming to avoid a first ever Super League wooden spoon and a first bottom-placed finish since 1963-64, Houghton has every confidence that the new wave of young Hull FC players can come through and drive the club forward, with the future centre on youth development amid some experienced signings.
"The club deserves to be where it is at the moment," Houghton, who has been offered a role at Hull FC next season, added. "There's no hiding behind that, and we are where we are for a reason, but with the things happening and the people coming in, Andy Last coming back, it's a massive plus for this club. I've said it all along: the more good people that get involved with the club and who care for the club, the more the club will get back to the top.
"We're at rock bottom now, but when that success comes back, and we had it before when we became successful in 2016, those hard moments make the good ones even more special. That's why I say what I say now: get behind these young lads and rally around them. We've got a good crop of young kids coming through and we've got some good seasoned pros that are coming.
The club is moving forward; it's doing some good things and getting people back involved. "Let's rally together now and get the club back on a journey to the top. It will come back, and at some point, the club will lift some silverware again.
Those moments will be special again, we'll have gone full circle once again, and we'll have rejuvenated the club, and it will be a special moment. As hard as it is for everyone right now, the more we rally around what's happening and back those young boys, then the more we can push the club back to the top. If we do that, I've got no doubt that in the next 3–5 years, this club will be back where it belongs.
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