Hull FC have paid tribute to club legend Johnny Whiteley with the East Stand at the MKM Stadium now named in his honour.
Announced on February 13th, the fourth anniversary of Whiteley’s passing, the club have made the move to honour the man who is synonymous with Hull FC.
Whiteley was awarded an MBE for services to rugby league and the community back in 2006 and was also inducted into the Rugby Football League Hall of Fame in 2018.
He spent his entire playing career with Hull FC, debuting in 1950 and going on to make over 400 appearances before hanging up the boots in 1965.
With that came captaincy of the club as well as England and Great Britain honours, with Whiteley then going on to coach the Black and Whites at the conclusion of his playing career.
He’d spent five years in charge of Hull FC before also being appointed as Great Britain boss, then coaching at Hull KR, Yorkshire, and a second spell in charge of Great Britain.
Whilst his playing career boasts a huge legacy, so too does his coaching legacy with the 1970 Ashes marking the last time Great Britian won an Ashes series in Australia.
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Hull FC honour Johnny Whiteley MBE
It therefore makes plenty of sense why Hull FC would honour Whiteley by renaming their East Stand in his memory.
The stand will be unveiled at Hull FC’s home opener against Bradford Bulls with Whiteley’s family in attendance, with his great grandchildren Leo and Jack set to deliver the match ball.
Speaking on the decision, club chief executive Richie Myler said: “We are honoured to have been granted permission from Johnny’s family to create a permanent tribute at our home in his honour.
“Unfortunately my time at the club began too late to have spent much time in his company, but I can confidently say that his legacy lives on through the huge impact he had on the entire community across his seventy year association with Hull FC, through the incredible stories that will forever be told about him, and the lives of those he positively affected.”
Introducing the Johnny Whiteley Stand 🖤
⚫️⚪️ #COYH pic.twitter.com/UShqNIH5NU
— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) February 13, 2026
