Hull FC blow as Danny Houghton injured after announcing retirement

Danny Houghton’s first Hull FC game since announcing plans to retire at the end of the season appeared to end in misery.

The hooker, making his return to action from a calf injury, started Saturday’s game against Castleford Tigers at the MKM Stadium and was warmly received by the home support in attendance.

He started the game well, too, driving into the heart of the Castleford defensive line with a sharp run from dummy half, as if to roll back the years.

However, with just eight minutes on the clock and with the Black and Whites losing due to an early Louis Senior effort, Houghton could be seen limping out of the action. The skipper then sat down on the floor of Hull’s technical area to stretch his leg before removing his signature head band and slumping into a dugout chair.

At the time of writing a return to the field in the contest looked unlikely with Simon Grix due to be asked about the extent of the injury after the game.

It comes just a day after Houghton announced his decision to hang up his boots at the end of the season, bringing his 18-season career at the top level to a close. The appearance against the Tigers was his 450th for the club, which puts him fourth in the Hull FC all-time appearance maker leaderboard.

With just three more games to play this season, Houghton will no doubt be desperate to shake off the injury and bid farewell to the sport on his terms.