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.

Far too complicated for some to comprehend.

so you know for definate that the club have spent big on pryce do you? too many posters on here seem to know the salaries of all our players

Let's look at the facts, Horne is retiring because his body isn't up to playing 20 games of SL, his form has been inconsistent for the last 5 years.

Pryce is a better SL player currently and throughout his career, his fitness record is outstanding playing 24 games this year, 28 last year and 26 the year before. His form this year has been excellent, he has been one of the best players in SL, he is currently 3rd in the Albert goldthorp medal table ( we have also signed 6th place),

I can't believe anyone is questioning the decision for Hull not giving Horne a contract or replacing him with Pryce.

Two player of similar age.

One has an injury record Adam Dykes would be proud of and has not played in his natural position (FB) for years.

The other is faster, a better kicker, can pass the ball more accurately, can create and rarely misses a game.

And some are questioning this?

Can't disagree, but the club didn't announce that he hadn't been offered a new contract, it was a HDM article, which quoted RH.

He may well have played for another year given the opportunity, so retirement became a clearer alternative.

Don't upset the club knockers with actual facts.

I reckon he could have got a playing contract elsewhere, however I don't really think he would have wanted to. Given he's being offered a role within the club that gives him a salary & still in contact with your friends it's a much easier option all round and one I respect.
He's always tackled well above his weight, putting many forwards to shame, that, his age and his other issues have put him in a place were deciding to 'retire' isn't as difficult a choice as it could have been.

He might not have being the greatest most talented player we've ever had but he's performed at a very high std for most of his career in a Hull side that has being off the pace for much of that.

A legend isn't always about whom was your best players, it's about integrity, loyalty, dedication, humility and actually being a nice human being, I always thought of Richard Horne as being a 100% type of guy..in my eyes he's a bona fide Hull FC legend.

As for replacing him with Pryce, I've not got too many qualms about it, Pryce still plays a decent game and has bags of experience, of course he isn't the long term answer but he's who we've got like it or not.

Agreed, the OP's post is a load of claptrap.

I've a lot of time for Horne but not offering him a new deal was definitely the right decision and the Pryce signing is an upgrade.

The OP is talking tosh! Horne has been a good player who has always given his all but in the last 5 years would he have been a starting half for any of the top 4 teams? We all have had a whinge this season. Halfback has been our Achilles heel for far too long. I have the upmost respect for Rich bit if we are ever to change as a club we needed to make big changes. Two new halfbacks is what we needed. I think from what was available we've done as well as we could so lets give Rich the credit he deserves but also realise he wasn't going to make us a top of the league side

Horne is past his best and should have retired about 3 years ago. I'm no fan of Radford, but iirc if he hadn't have signed for Bradford, Hull FC as a club would have been in the poop financially.

As a kid, if one of the best teams at the time came knocking on your door, would you have moved, I know I probably would (and I bleed black n white). The only difference is that whilst Horne was a good player, he was never good enough for the top clubs to come looking for his signature.

Wonder how the Horne coaching classes will go, no doubt the telegraph drop off and run around each session.