Luke Gale reacts to being given the captaincy at Hull FC

Yesterday, Hull FC announced that Luke Gale would be taking on the captaincy for the 2022 season.

It may seem a touch strange to give a new signing such as Gale such responsibility, but the former Man of Steel is used to it.

In just his second game for former club Leeds, a 52-10 triumph over Hull KR in February 2020, the scrum-half was awarded the captain’s armband following what would prove to be a career ending concussion to Stevie Ward in Round One.

Gale would go on to assume the captaincy outright and lifted the Challenge Cup trophy as skipper of his boyhood club in October of that year after his drop goal won the Wembley final against Salford.

However, things would unravel for Gale in his second season as Leeds skipper. After an injury hit start to the campaign, the armband was taken off him and given to Matt Prior following defeat to Catalans and a subsequent falling out with Richard Agar. Some believe this coupled with the arrival of Aidan Sezer and Blake Austin resulted in his Headingley departure despite the fact he categorically told Sky Sports that he would be remaining at the club to complete his initial three-year deal.

Ultimately, he was released from the last 12 months of his contract to replace Marc Sneyd at Hull FC and has now been given the huge honour of captaining one of the country’s most prestigious clubs.

A player who rises to the occasion, after all he seemed to feed off the pressure making the initial switch to Leeds brought, being named captain ahead of the upcoming season could bring the very best out of the England international who seems excited by the prospect of being skipper next year.

The former Castleford and Bradford man took to Twitter following the announcement to say: “Massive honour to lead the boys this year. Thanks for the messages. Can’t wait to get started.”

Massive honour to lead the boys this year @hullfcofficial thanks for the messages!

Can’t wait to get started 👊🏼 https://t.co/UCl1AK1fWf

— Luke Gale (@snozzer_gale) January 22, 2022

He becomes the 59th man to captain the club and Black and Whites supporters will be hoping that’s a lucky number as they hope to right the wrongs of last season.