Well it’s almost been like lambs to the slaughter at points through this season so maybe it’s not a typo

It's often rumour or minor details that feel like they are out of the club's control because of the SMC that irritate fans. As an example, on Saturday it was noted that there were no red 20m lines on the pitch. Apparently the SMC have forbade the use of red dye on the pitch. I didn't even notice but there was quite a conversation about it. Whilst this may be the case, it might also be a load of tosh and just a forgetful grounds keeper.

Correct, nobody complained about the stadium when we had a competitive side and played in front of 15k most weeks. Many things have stopped us being competitive recently but the stadium isn’t it. People were mad that we miss out on the 0.10 or whatever IMG points it is for primary tenancy but it’s really not important. It’s not a perfect situation but the costs would far outweigh any benefits.


If a die hard Hull fan like me wins a couple of hundred million on the lottery I’ll build this magical 15-18K stadium and I’ll give it to the club, until something like that happens it simply won’t happen. They often make noise about it but for all the millions and millions in TV money and a few different owners Hull City haven’t ever put the money up to buy the stadium. Suggests to me that we both must get a decent deal out of playing in a ground that the council built for us and ‘not owning’ the ground isn’t the handicap people (rovers fans) make out.

Spot on for me, let's not labour on a new stadium because it will never happen. Adam discussed the possibility in the warm autumnal glow post 2017 but the cold winter of Covid put an end to any such fantasy's and let's face is that's all that they were. The Stadium we play in is the best in British Rugby League we know because we've been to them all. It still attracts some of the best gates in the game despite playing host to what is now perhaps the most dysfunctional team in the British game. The deal we have with the SMC was always eched where we and (in theory) the Football Club were tenants through a lease agreement for 50 years each to be reviewed and possibly renegotiated after 25 years (a clause that was originally included to aid the two clubs should either or both fall on hard times and need a better deal). The upkeep of the stadium and the pitch is the responsibility of the SMC.

Its a deal that is weak and can be manipulated if you don't separate the interests of the football Club and the management company as was seen by the actions of the Allam's but I'm told the current regime is very fair now about all of that and relationships are good. However, it's costing the owner of the football club more than he likes and the new tenancy deal to be negotiated in the next couple of years is critical to both parties and will be tough for Hull FC. Something I'm sure any new owner/investor will be looking very closely at. But a new Stadium.... dream on!

I remember a SL referee saying the field is unusually short for RL. It was definitively shortened years ago but not sure if that was at the edict of the SMC.

There's nothing wrong with us renting the Stadium. It doesn't cause us to miss out on revenue streams people think it does, and in some ways works to our advantage now the smc is being run by people who consider our needs. Issue I've got with the Stadium is we don't use it effectively on match days. We should close north and south stand and try and full the east and west stands to create an amosphere while were at low figures. Think we should invite buskers/live music acts onto the concourse before kick off and at half time. Try and create a mini festival atmosphere into the match day experience

Funnily enough the talk of missing out on millions and millions every year in match day revenues, burger vans and concerts only started when Rovers took out the mortgage on Craven Park and then all of a sudden according to them the only way of being successful was owning a ground while completely ignoring the likes of Wigans success over the years, can’t believe our fans fall for it.

Don’t get me wrong it’s great for them no denying that but they’re a completely different animal, they have multiple rich backers and simply had the opportunity to buy Craven Park at a cost a rugby league club could make viable.

In the 20 odd years we’ve played at the Stadium I’d say for the vast majority of those we’d have managed to run a wage bill to compete with the top clubs. We’ve won 3 cups and made the GF but mostly underachieved by poor recruitment/retention decisions. It’s not that ground that’s held us back. I’m not sure what the implications of not owning a stadium in Covid was if that made of us more exposed than anyone else, but without a big financial backer and no income we were doomed anyway. Agree entirely about the atmosphere in the ground, again I’m not sure that’s down to not owning the stadium I’m sure if there was a will to improve the atmosphere and decent performing side on the pitch it could be bouncing again.

Apologies this was directed to Jake the Peg not you lol

On slightly different subject whats happened with Kai Armstrong? I've seen a few posts on here from members saying they dont expect him to be here in a couple of seasons etc etc... Isn't he like the once in the academy that's expected to reach the top top level? It was only start of last season that some where mentioning potential move to Aus etc? I don't see much of the academy games i must admit so is he anywhere near SL level yet? He just appears to not have the same hype about him anymore?

Just remembered he went on loan to Midland Hurricanes and it says he got injured on debut, unsure if hes played since but i know hes suffered with Injuries quite a bit already

Doesn't seem to be have given an opportunity like some others have, but that could be down to injuries?

I last saw him play at 6 against Leigh reserves and he looked pretty good.

Pearson is a big fan isn't he?

He's started his own personal training business up - and not much been mentioned about Rugby recently, wonder if he is being released

Injuries and the fact the previous CEO put him on a huge deal (for a kid) and now we obviously won’t give him the same money, can’t see him being here.

Noticed that on his facebook place. Gaz Ellis wished him good luck a few hours ago so I don't know whether to interpret that if he has left or not.

If so it's a shame because I've heard so many good reports about him.

I posted a few weeks ago that on one of Hull's previous Facebook post, a friend of the Armstrong family basically said he's been told he is been released

and more clowns to add to the match day experience

Sounds a great idea. Are you free?

I don't think Hull KR, as in the club, own the ground.

No i charge £150 per hour

The COVID situation was we still had to pay a huge rent without playing there for 18 months or so, and then when we returned we had those odd low capacity games. Other clubs could have just padlocked the gates and done some basic maintenance.

But there are advantages to renting, as the stadium has got older it has got more expensive to maintain. It's believed we get free stewarding and more stewards are needed for 2020's standards than first envisaged in the 00s.

Agree with you that we have been successful in the stadium before so it's not necessarily holding us back. We miss out on bar takings but also organising catering and staff isn't straightforward either. Concerts aren't a guaranteed success in Hull (Rovers haven't bothered this year as after poor sales for Rod Stewart and The Who)

Yes the atmosphere is a struggle but that is directly linked to how we are playing. Fans are loud when they get cocky and confident of a win, and it's many years since we've felt like that!

Correct. Mortgage not in the clubs name apparently.

Land grab facilitated by a sympathetic Council.

You've got me mixed up with someone else I think. I'm not negative, I'm a knowledgeable realist

Hudgel, sewell and lakin own it and the land around it don't they?

He may not be the signing we hoped for or expected but this tribute from a Raiders fan reads well.

"The news of Rapa leaving is really starting to sink in, and is really starting to hurt.
A club legend, one of the best backs the club has ever had. He deserves to go down in the history books as one of the best Raiders of all time.
I don't know where we are going to find our never say die attitude and that determination and will to win that Rapa has always produced throughout all of his years absolutely bleeding for the jersey.
He has put his body on the line, every tackle, every run, every game. He has played through broken sculls and countless other severe injuries, he has always put his body on the line and given 100% and refused to quit, even when his body has told him to.
His entire career with the raiders I have always been blown away by his efforts and enthusiasm. Any negative errors which were only ever caused by trying too hard, were always far outweighed by the countless positives that he brought to the team each and every week.
I will never forget the brilliance he created in the Leipana days, I will never forget him being one of our oldest players in his later years, but still one of our best, each and every week. His determination and willingness to literally die for this club shall never be forgotten. He is a true raiders viking, club legend and I doubt I will see another player like him in my lifetime.
I write this with a very heavy heart as he has provided countless memories and id even go as far as saying he is my favourite Raider of all time. It's so hard to believe his time with us has come to an abrupt end, I was near certain we would be lucky enough to have him for atleast another year, if not two.
Thank you for everything Jordy, you are a once in a lifetime player. This one really hurts . We love you Rapa, and we will never forget you"

I don't know but it's not in Rovers balance sheet. I thought it was Hudgell, Lakin and a chap with a tyre garage but can't remember where I saw that. If that's right though those individuals rather than Rovers would benefit from £ on sale/development so that can't be right.

On the topic of ground ownership equivalence with financial success idk - Rovers lost almost £400k in 2023 despite a Wembley appearance and concerts. The sport's finances in general are a basket case - see Wigan's latest loss - feels like we are back to pre SL days in terms of fundamental unsustainability (if that's a word).