“England was a piece of piss really” – Former Hull FC star reveals

One of the best signings to Super League in 2023 was Jake Clifford who moved from Newcastle Knights to Hull FC, but the playmaker is now back down under and has spoken about just how easy his time in England was.

Hull FC signed Clifford from Newcastle but it was confirmed mid-season that the half-back would return to the NRL and reunite with his boyhood club North Queensland Cowboys.

It was a massive blow for Hull FC who had signed both Clifford and Tex Hoy from Newcastle in a double deal that was set to secure the future of their spine.

Whilst Clifford flourished it seemed that Hoy struggled to adapt with the full-back only good enough for the bench in FC’s opening round game against Hull KR.

One surprise about Clifford’s return to Australia was that it was confirmed he’d be taking on a back-up role, whereas in England he would have been a guaranteed starter.

He’s now spoken to SEN Radio about his time in England and just how happy he is to be back.

“I’ve enjoyed every moment of being back” – Hull FC man happy to be back home

Despite Hull FC’s struggles in 2023, it was Clifford at the heart of everything good and whilst he copped an injury mid-season and saw his form tail off near the end of the year, he still amassed 26 appearances.

For a period in the campaign, it could easily have been argued that he was the most in-form player in Super League, and that could be in part because of how easy Clifford found it.

He has revealed to SEN Radio whilst speaking on That Jimmy Smith Show how he found his time in England.

“Pre-season in England was a piece of piss really, compared to what we go through here,” Clifford explained.

“I’ve enjoyed every moment of being back.”

Clifford is currently underway with pre-season in Australia ahead of the season launch in early March, meanwhile, Hull FC find themselves in an injury and suspension crisis with 13 senior players unavailable for Friday night’s clash with Warrington Wolves.

Jake Clifford was very honest about his pre-season experiences in England 😂😂#NRL | @ThatJimmySmith pic.twitter.com/O00NbDxmAB

— SEN 1170 (@1170sen) February 22, 2024

It’s a bruising blow to Super League for the competition to be described as a “piece of piss”, but it is perhaps a reflection on Hull FC’s pre-season as opposed to the wider competition hence why Tony Smith’s side only managed a tenth-placed finish in 2023.

Clifford has been named as part of a 23-man squad for North Queensland’s trial game this weekend against Canberra Raiders, with ex-Wigan Warriors man Morgan Smithies named in the starting 13 for the Raiders.