Hull FC legend reveals he had opportunities to join Super League rivals

Hull FC icons Jack Harrison VC MC, Arthur Bunting, Kirk Yeaman, and Gareth Ellis have been officially inducted into the Hull FC Hall of Fame.

The quartet, all of whom have made significant and exceptional contributions to Hull FC during their respective spells at the club, were inducted in a special ceremony at the city’s Bonus Arena as part of the club’s Season Launch Dinner.

Yeaman and Ellis were present to accept their induction by current Hall of Fame member Lee Crooks, with stars of Hull FC past and present in attendance alongside club staff, supporters, and club partners to witness the memorable night.

Harrison’s induction was posthumously accepted by Lieutenant Colonel David Groce MBE, while Bunting’s induction was accepted by the former player and Chair of the Hull FC Ex-Players Association, Keith Tindall, who played under Bunting, reading a message on behalf of Arthur’s son, Paul.

Gareth Ellis is regarded as one of the club’s most successful captains of all-time, famously leading the Black & Whites to their back-to-back Challenge Cup Final victories in 2016 and 2017.

Hometown boy and one-club man Kirk Yeaman similarly is regarded as one of the club’s best players of the modern era – FC’s second highest appearance maker of the Super League era, his 17 year spell with the club saw him claim Challenge Cup triumphs in both 2005 and 2016, as well as multiple personal honours and records along the way.

Speaking at the event, Yeaman revealed he turned down offers to leave the MKM Stadium throughout his career:

“As the years went on there was only one place I wanted to be. There were opportunities to leave, but this was the one place that I wanted to be with the Black and Whites.”