Hull FC have become the latest Super League side to confirm their squad numbers for the upcoming 2024 season, and one of their new signings has been handed a surprise number.
Of course shirt numbers don’t always translate to a guaranteed starting spot but it certainly is something that can indicate that a player is likely to start.
FC had teased the release of their full squad numbers by confirming the numbers of their new recruits and one of those that stood out was Kiwi international Fa’anumu Brown taking the number seven shirt.
Brown starred for new Zealand in the end of season internationals from hooker, however with Jake Clifford having left the club it was believed that he’d been brought in to operate in the halves. That now seems to have been confirmed as he takes the number seven shirt.
Other new signings assigned ‘starting shirt numbers’ or those numbers within the one to thirteen are Liam Tindall (two) and NRL trio Herman Ese’ese (eight), Franklin Pele (ten) and Jayden Okunbor (eleven) highlighting the heavy investment in the pack by Tony Smith.
Other forwards that have joined include Jack Ashworth (16) and Damel Diakhate (34), whilst backs Morgan Smith (19) and Jack Walker (31) also complete the team’s signings.
FC took to their website to confirm the squad numbers for the upcoming season, releasing the following statement.
It read: “Hull FC have confirmed their squad numbers for the 2024 Betfred Super League campaign.
“New recruits Liam Tindall, Fa’amanu Brown and Jayden Okunbor have been handed No.2, No.7 and No.11, respectively.
“A new-look front row the NRL will see Herman Ese’ese in No.8, whilst Franklin Pele will wear the No.10.
“Domestic signings Jack Ashworth will wear 16, Morgan Smith takes 19, while Jack Walker has opted to wear 31 – the number he wore in his first season as a professional player; Damal Diakhate will wear 34.
“Ligi Sao moves to no.12, having played across the pack for Hull FC – as well as featuring in the back row for Samoa in their run to the World Cup Final last year.
“Other players who have new squad numbers include Joe Cator (14), Jordan Lane (15), Will Gardiner (21), Davy Litten (23), and Nick Staveley (24).
“As ever, the number 18 shirt is retired in tribute to the club’s supporters – the Old Faithful – in recognition of their contribution as the 18th man.”
The squad in full is seen below.
1 – Tex Hoy (Sponsored by: Kaygee Engineering)
2 – Liam Tindall (Sponsored by: Rowe Granite)
3 – Carlos Tuimavave (Sponsored by: Prime Processors)
4 – Liam Sutcliffe (Sponsored by: Cuban Petes)
5 – Darnell McIntosh (Sponsored by: Rowe Freight)
6 – Jake Trueman (Sponsored by: Classical Gas)
7 – Fa’amanu Brown (Sponsored by: Summit Vans)
8 – Herman Ese’ese
9 – Danny Houghton (Sponsored by: Precision Drilling)
10 – Franklin Pele (Sponsored by: J O’Neills)
11 – Jayden Okunbor
12 – Ligi Sao (Sponsored by: Conceptus)
13 – Brad Fash (Sponsored by: WCM)
14 – Joe Cator (Sponsored by: Elecplant)
15 – Jordan Lane (Sponsored by: Steve Hodgins Plumbing)
16 – Jack Ashworth (Sponsored by: The Geddes Boys)
17 – Cam Scott (Sponsored by: Andrew Earle’s Holidays)
18 – The 18th Man
19 – Morgan Smith
20 – Jack Brown (Sponsored by: Relay Port Agency)
21 – Will Gardiner
22 – Mitieli Vulikijapani (Sponsored by: The Kirkwood Family)
23 – Davy Litten (Sponsored by: Harrison Respiratory Protection)
24 – Nick Staveley
25 – Harvey Barron
26 – Lewis Martin (Sponsored by: Stratton Facilities)
27 – Zach Jebson
28 – Denive Balmforth (Sponsored by: AB Squared)
29 – Charlie Severs
30 – Matty Laidlaw (Sponsored by: The Minerva)
31 – Jack Walker (Sponsored by: Prime Processors)
32 – Kye Armstrong (Sponsored by: Paragon UK)
33 – Mackenzie Harman (Sponsored by: PBS Construction)
34 – Damel Diakhate (Sponsored by: Wer2 Taxis)
35 – Jeylan Hodgson (Sponsored by: Hodgson Rendering)
36 – Sully Medforth (Sponsored by: Hull FC Vice Presidents Association)
37 – Logan Moy (Sponsored by: JC Services)
38 – Lennon Bursell
39 – Cobie Wainhouse (Sponsored by: Hull FC Vice Presidents Association)
40 – Jack Charles (Sponsored by: Hull FC Vice Presidents Association)
