Hull FC chairman Adam Pearson stoked the fires ahead of his side’s derby day fixture against Hull KR on Friday night.
The long-serving owner – who has been at the Hull helm since 2011 – stated: “They think they’re going to win the Grand Final” when talking about Rovers.
With comments like that, it was perhaps only a matter of time until social media came into the equation. But just how did people react?
One Hull KR fan didn’t take the comments too kindly.
Bit rich coming from the delusion of grandeur treble winners as they've held back all their big hitters for their grand final I'd just use one of their covid cards and sit back and piss ourselves as they struggle to pay their landlords for kipping on city's sofa
— Rich Worley (@HKR13) August 15, 2021
Another called it “embarrassing.”
Begging to get people through the turnstiles. Embarrassing interview. I wonder if there will be extra brown envelopes to get injured players back too early 😂😂😂
— Darren Yeomans 🏴 (@DarrenYeomans10) August 15, 2021
A neutral supporter said how good it would be if Rovers did actually win the Grand Final.
I’m not a KR fan, but I’d love to see that. Nothing better than an underdog story.
— JmeMc123 (@JmeMc123) August 15, 2021
One Rovers fan believed Pearson was putting added pressure on his own side with the comments.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 this is exactly what I wanted to hear. Hes losing it and without doubt will be putting pressure on his players.
— craig eskrett (@eskcraig14) August 15, 2021
Another called it a ticket-selling exercise.
Trying his best to sell tickets ,
— Gav Walker (@gavwalker64) August 15, 2021
Another saw the funny side of things.
Shots fired…🤣🤣🤣🤣
— RichM (@RichM39162405) August 15, 2021
One fan even called it childish from Pearson.
Bit childish from a chairman.
— Diane Jelley (@DianeJelley) August 15, 2021
Another Hull KR fan disputed the comments made by Pearson.
I’ve not heard one rovers fan say we’re gonna win the grand final 😂 rent free 🔴⚪️ https://t.co/UOEeFUp9as
— Aaron Girtchen (@AaronGirtchen92) August 15, 2021
One Twitter user actually used common sense to explain why Rovers could actually win this year’s Grand Final.
As it stands, @hullkrofficial would have to win away at Wigan, then at Catalans to make the GF.
Their results against those sides this season suggest it’s a possibility.#rugbyleague https://t.co/BxZ2fWhJEf pic.twitter.com/lwgyOctlf2
— Andrew Foster (@andrewfoster101) August 15, 2021
One Hull KR fan believed it should be used as motivation.
@hullkrofficial get the players to see this just before going out on Saturday 🔴⚪️ https://t.co/xF6WkU9p8h
— Ben (@Ben96Pearson) August 15, 2021
Another called Pearson “a worried man.”
He's a worried man. https://t.co/GrxnKZDSKp
— Sid (@Sidneykidney4) August 15, 2021