Hull FC man welcomes Goole Vikings with Scott Taylor told what to expect

Hull FC interim boss Simon Grix has welcomed the addition of Goole Vikings into the professional ranks, with Scott Taylor set to take head coach reins.

Goole saw their admission into League One confirmed on Wednesday with the club joining Hull and Hull KR as the third East Yorkshire club in the RFL’s three professional leagues. The Vikings will be hoping to tap into the region’s love for the sport, by attracting fans from across the East Riding and Hull, but also nearby Castleford and Wakefield.

Taylor, a modern day Black and Whites favourite, retired from playing at the end of the 2023 Super League season. As such, the job will be his first as a professional coach and with the addition of Jamie Shaul already in the bag, it seems he will be looking to recruit familiar faces from both East and West Yorkshire to represent the club.

Grix believes the position is perfect for Taylor to get to grips with coaching and he’s made himself available to the 33-year-old, should he need any advice.

“I don’t know too much about Goole but I know it’s not too far from here and it’s in the no man’s land if you like in between us and West Yorkshire which can only be good for the spreading of rugby league,” Hull FC man Grix told the BBC. “It can only be good, a change, new energy, new team, new ideas and I don’t think it would be a bad thing at all.

“I suppose he (Taylor) will find out whether he wants to be a coach or not. It’s good experience, the Championship, League One, it’s different to what he’s known as a full-time professional but yeah, I’m sure he’ll give it everything he’s got.

“I wish him all the best with it. There’s no better way of getting in than being in charge of it and getting on with it. Much like I did at Halifax, you make your errors on the run and it’s a really good grounding.

“There’s a lot of good fans and passionate people about the game down there. I think it would be a really good experience for Scott as he starts his coaching journey.

“I’d certainly be there if he wanted any (advice) but he’ll go his own way and make it his own.”