Goole Vikings head coach Scott Taylor has revealed how the move for fellow Hull FC teammate Liam Watts came about with the 2016 and 2017 Challenge Cup Final-winning props reunited.
Taylor hung up the boots and became the head coach of the Vikings ahead of their maiden season in League One last year whilst Watts, who is one year older, is set to go around again having left Hull FC and signed for Taylor’s Vikings.
It will make Watts among the most experienced players in the Championship, though not on his own team as 39-year-old Brett Ferres skippers the side.
Goole kick their season off on Sunday with a clash against Keighley, however, their pre-season has already seen them play Rochdale Hornets and Taylor confirmed that Watts didn’t play in that game as he’d ‘not done much contact in the last three or four months’.
Speaking to Serious About Rugby League at the Championship launch earlier this week, Taylor explained how the move for Watts came about, as well as what can be expected.
“Calling in favours with mates,” joked Taylor initially when asked how the move came about, before adding: “I spoke to him a month or two ago and he was a but undecided what he was going to do.
“He had a few options and obviously he’d decided he wanted to go around again, no matter what, and I think there was a bit of interest there but he’s got himself a real good job off the field and he needed something to slot in with that.”
Ex-Hull FC man tipped to move into coaching
The actual move was secured over a coffee with Taylor admitting that the pair found ‘something that worked for us both’ and it’s fair to say he was impressed with Watts’ impact in training.
“He came into training last week and trained all week and looked great,” Taylor explained.
“I might be bias but I don’t think there will be many better middles in this league. We need to keep him fit and he’s working hard on that and he’ll have a massive impact for us, not just on the field but off it.”
In respect to how Watts will help off-field, Taylor recalled: “When we started training the other night, I was running one team and he took a lead of the other team and normally I’d be sprinting back and forth but I trust him so for me, it’s not just playing but it’s like having another assistant coach.”
If coaching is in Watts’ future, Taylor confirmed: “100%, I think that’s what he wants to do. I don’t think he is fussed about going to the top of the game but an assistant role or an academy coach, I think it’s something he wants to do when he retires.”
Check out the latest episode of The Serious About Rugby League Show on our YouTube channel here.
📋 SQUADS NEWS…
First official squad of the 2026 Betfred Championship campaign for Sunday’s Round One clash against Keighley Cougars.
❌ Guzdek, Hodgson, Coventry, Holdstock & Tait all unavailable.
✅ Watts included for first time.
👏 Ten potential full debuts this weekend.… pic.twitter.com/HLQVVssrH9
— Goole Vikings RL (@GooleVikingsRL) January 16, 2026
