Hull FC boss Simon Grix has reflected on the career of retiring Danny Houghton and provided an update on what is next for the veteran.
Houghton played the final game of his career on Saturday as Hull FC lost 24-4 to Catalans Dragons in a game that saw the veteran hooker have a try ruled out controversially.
It would have been a brilliant ending for the 35-year-old to finish off in front of his adoring fans as he played his 451st game for the club who he has represented since his debut back in 2007.
During that 18-year career, Houghton has helped FC win the Challenge Cup twice and he was even awarded the Man of Steel trophy in 2016. He has also skippered Hull for five seasons.
He confirmed his retirement at the end of August but his future remains unclear, however, interim coach Simon Grix has shed more light on that as he spoke after the club’s final game of what has been a dismal season.
What is next for Hull FC legend Danny Houghton?
Credit: Darren Greenhalgh/SWpix.com
In a post on the Hull FC website, Grix paid tribute to the retiring legend, and noted his valuable contributions in Saturday’s loss: “Mint has been unreal. Today in his last game, look, he’s not what he once was; he’s not got the pace he once had, and his body is letting him down, but he still influenced the game.
“He came up with some big plays, and all of those little bits that experience gets you. We’ll certainly miss that experience from Danny next year, but hopefully he won’t be too far away.”
That suggestion from Grix about Houghton possibly not being ‘too far away’ was expanded upon with the interim boss outlining the plan going forward.
It will be a season of transition for the players and the staff with NRL assistant John Cartwright taking the head coaching gig meaning Grix steps back into an assistant role, where he will be joined by former head coach Andy Last. It now seems Houghton could somehow play a role in that too.
Grix explained: “The plan is for him to stay. There’s a bit to work through and see how that looks, but I’m a big advocate for having people who know your club, and keeping them around is big.
“People have to add value, and the Mint that I’ve come to know, we’ve got on great, and the bloke has plenty to offer this club still. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, we have something nailed with Danny.”
Houghton was one of 14 players to depart Hull FC with ten first-team players leaving as well as a further four loanees. The Black and Whites have already confirmed several signings including recent NRL recruits Aidan Sezer and Jordan Rapana.
