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My recollections begin back in 1977 with my first ever visit to the old Craven Park, I think, though I’m not 100% certain, that the opposition was Salford. I had previously spent every Sunday afternoon sat in my Nana’s front room listening to Radio Humberside’s commentary, while my Grandad went along every week. I always spent weekends at my Nana and Grandad’s house, went on Friday straight after school and came back on a Sunday night after we’d listened to what was number one on the chart countdown on Radio 1.
Anyway, when my granddad offered to take me along to Rovers I jumped at the chance. That first game was a night match. The first memory is actually walking up the steps into the best stand, well I say the best stand, but it was the scoreboard end of the best stand, the seats that were like benches, not the ones that had the metal armrests in between! (My mam is still lucky enough to have one of those, very well preserved, in her garden) I remember so well how green it all looked under the floodlights, what a fantastic sight.
The other thing I remember is how small I felt, I was 13 so not a small child (although never been that tall!), I also realised why they had those metal armrests in the ‘best’ stand as I was glided along the bench as Rovers got nearer and nearer the try line, plus I don’t think I actually saw a try during that match cos everytime Rovers got anywhere near the try line everyone around me stood up and I couldn’t see a thing!! I hope we never have an all-seater stadium!
My first away game was at York, at their old Wiggington Road ground, I went with my granddad on a double decker bus.
I carried on going with my granddad for about two years, and each week included a visit to the ‘club shop’ or the hut near the turnstiles. In those days they used to sell sew on patches, which my mam used to sew on to the front pocket of my blue kagool for me, that and my first ever Rovers scarf and my stripy bobble hat was my regular attire for matches. I made a point of wearing that scarf for the grand final in October.
My favourite player in those early days was Ged Dunn, mainly cos he was a friend of my Uncle Terry and got me a signed photo – yes, I’ve still got it!
As a 15 year old I started to go to Rovers with friends and I couldn’t get enough rugby, Rovers at home and away, and every Saturday afternoon was spent watching either the A Team at Craven Park or the Colts in East Park. We became such regulars that John Edson and Alan Matthews used to come over and say hello to us, I remember them once bringing us a cup of tea when it was a particularly cold match.
Favourite players in this period were Steve Hubbard and Garry Clark, oh and Rob Procter and Graham Britten in the A team.
My memories of 1980 are slightly different to everyone else’s as I didn’t go to Wembley, there was a huge cock up whereby I would have had to travel down to London on my own, and at 16 my parents were having none of it. Can say I was one of the few people left in Hull that day
During the 80’s I did have two further visits to Wembley though, sadly both resulting in defeats, but both fantastic days. The most memorable match of that period was the 1986 Challenge Cup Semi-final replay, I’ve never experienced a match or an atmosphere like it, it was incredible. Watching it again recently I still couldn’t believe the support that day. In those days my late dad used to take us to away games – he never went in, bless him, he sat outside the ground in the car – I remember after the semi-final draw queueing in traffic to get out of Leeds and people exchanging sandwiches and tea out of flasks between cars! I also got interviewed by John Helm for either Scrumdown or RLAction, and when asked who my favourite player was responded – Gary Prohm, who still remains my all time Rovers hero.
Things became a bit leaner in the late 80s, I remember going to one game, around 88/89, it was at a football ground somewhere, the ground was covered in what seemed like sand and there were about 300 people there in total.
Of course, 1989 saw us move to the new Craven Park, I had a trip down Preston Road regularly to keep an eye on the development. The last match at the old ground was a very emotional affair, by that place held some memories for us all. But, this was our new home, onward, but not so upward unfortunately.
In 1990 I got myself a job as a barmaid at the new Supporters Club and I loved that job, in those days matchdays involved 12 staff behind the bar and the customers were still 3 deep at the bar all the time. During that time I started going out with someone who played for the amateur team and two years later we married, having our wedding reception, of course at Rovers! Rovers has played such a huge part in mine and Paul’s lives. Favourite player of that time Andy ‘Thommo’ Thompson.
Our first daughter, Ashleigh came along in 1993 and we just simply couldn’t afford to go to Rovers anymore, Paul’s wage just wasn’t enough to fund our rugby supporting. When Luke came along we did take them along once, but all the kids wanted to do was run up and down the grass bank – one thing that has always annoyed me at rugby is people that take small children along and then just abandon them to annoy everyone else! So, it was a one off.
Although Rovers had to take a back seat during this time we still got involved in the anti-merger protests. I remember going down to Craven Park for a big protest and making Ash a tshirt that said ‘Don’t take away my future’.
I feel sad that we missed a lot of these times, although throughout it all my mam was still going home and away to every game no matter how far, on a minibus with Joan Rudd when no official coaches were run. These are the die-hard supporters of our club and I take my hat off to every one of them.
So, coming up to date, back in June 2005 I was offered some free tickets at school, so I suggested that Paul take Luke along. That was the start of our return as a family to Rovers. Although it was me that suggested Paul take Luke I felt quite jealous that they were going and I wasn’t, so I attended the last three matches of the 2005 season –and we lost all three! But I had the bug again, nothing was going to stop me going this time. We went to every home game last season and either me or Paul went to every away game with the kids, one of us staying home with our infirm dog, Sam, who is sadly no longer with us now.
All this and a new favourite player – Gareth Morton.
I can’t wait for next season, to provide me with Rovers Recollections for the future…
My first ever match was the mid 70s(Vs Donny),myself and a cousin went as a treat from my mam, we used to listen also when possible and often spent the afternoon jumping about with excitement in my bedroom when we scored. When we actually had the chance to go, well, it was like all my Christmases had come at once! I remember being stood at the surrounding railings very near to the players tunnel, it really did feel like a dream, we just kept looking at each other and smiling. Then when the players ran out, I distinctly remember their linament smell, it was so strong. At the end of the game I had the honour of touching every single player as they trudged of, soaking wet and covered in freezing cold mud, it was a very cold day, mid January yet whilst I was there I never felt cold at all.
Times moved on a bit now and its the late eighties, our kid Dene (R.I.P mate I love you) accompanied me to all the games, he became hooked after tagging along to one of the derby games, we were playing Warrington, just a league match i think, but the banter with their fans and the resulting victory made it a treasured memory, if only for the way our kid taunted the visiting fans! Then there was the first ever New years day derby at the new C.P, we didnt go to bed while 5 oclock the morning before and were all well hung over, but the vocal battling and the whole atmosphere made it truly unforgetable, once again our kid stole the show with a moonie to the F.C fans!
The Good Friday derby rematch at the Boulevard, we lost but our kid got under the skin of a certain Mr Eastwood so much so that the duller actually lost the plot and started swearing and verbally abusing Dene, who as you can imagine was wetting himself laughing, even more so when the linesman intervened and warned Eastwood of his conduct, lol!
I met my future wife Nicky in 1990 and introduced my now brother in law Gav to Rovers he's as much a die hard as me now, along with my other brother-in-law Darren. One of our best ever days of years gone by was the Boothferry park Derby match where we won it in the last minute, what a fantastic feeling walking back to town through hoardes of dullers, and to be honest i think we verbally abused just about every one of them.
Needless to say, the whole of my family are now all commited fans of our wonderful club, a fact which makes me so very proud, along with ours, Gav's family all assist him to games as do Darren's, I look forward to our Rovers days very much. Here's hoping we spend many, many more happy K.R days together.
My first ever Hull KR match was v Hull FC season 1984/85 at the old Craven Park my dad took me and we stood behind the dugouts I was 10 years old and I can still remember the noise of the crowd and the atmosphere. I was totally hooked from that moment on. I was a regular on the Craven Park terraces from then on. I used to stand near the changing rooms in view of the gates and collect autographs. The players were so approachable and friendly and always had a smile and a friendly word for me. They never got sick of signing my autograph book (no matter how many times I had already got their autographs).
Favourite game has to be last match at Craven Park v Widnes even though we lost and were relegated. It was just the whole emotion and atmosphere of the whole day. I remember invading the pitch with the hoardes of other fans on the final whistle and wishing Zook all the best, his reply was `CHEERS KID` and giving me a pat on the stomach, his massive hands actually winding me. Stayed up late that night to watch Scrumdown and seeing myself on the TV at the end on the pitch (still got the video to this day).
Moved to Doncaster in 1992 but continued to travel to every home match and most of the away games. Met my future wife in 1996 and our first 10 dates were spent on the Craven Park terraces where she became as hooked as me. We used to stand on the east stand same spot every home game behind six old boys. Our lass used to shout and scream that much they used to turn around and give her a boiled sweet just to shut her up.
Our first daughter was born Chrismas Eve 1999 so we just had to name her Robyn after the mighty Kingston Rovers. I took her to her first game in 2002 a few days after the cup final when we played the touring Russian side Kazan Arrows. She has also been a regular ever since. My daughters favourite game was v Batley a few years ago at Craven Park when the Batley bulldog was sent from the field for swearing at the ref. She still laughs to this day about it, as the bulldog walked off with his head hung shrugging his shoulders as if he was innocent.
Our last Hull KR game was last season away at Batley when we clinched top spot in the league as we emigrated to Australia three days later. Listened in on the internet to the Grand Final and our screams and cheers must have woken up half of Perth. We are absolutley gutted, we want be there to see Rovers in Super League but we will be listening to every game on the internet.
Best of luck in Super League Rovers and thanks for the memories.
My earliest recollections of visiting Craven Park are somewhat vague. Incidents that have stuck in the memory from the late 40s early 50s was of Geoff Tullock, who played on the right wing, running from his position and diving onto the pack when fighting between the two sets of forwards broke out. The scrum had formed in the middle of the pitch on Rover’s 25 yard line at the tote (Holderness Road) end of the ground. My only other recollection from this time was of Jack Holt being penalised for an involuntary tackle in the dying minutes of a match against Huddersfield when Rovers were winning against all the odds. Needless to say Huddersfield converted the penalty and Rovers lost the match, a very common occurrence in those days. I remember this incident being at the scoreboard end of the ground again near the 25 yard line. The early 50s were not happy times at Craven Park as the team went from bad to worse, finishing next to bottom of the league in 1953/4 season. Indeed I have recollections of them conceding more than 150 points in three games over
an Easter period. We tended to celebrate the scoring of a try for victories were few and far apart.
It was as a five year old that I was first taken to Craven Park. Both my dad and Harold were keen supporters and along with other volunteers were involved in building the supporter’s club house which was situated at the entrance to the ground on the west stand side. Little did I realise then that the supporters club would play a big part in my later life.
Another influence on my early life as a Rovers supporter was my grandfather. My grandparents live in the seaside village of Aldborough where it seemed we spent most of our summer holidays or visited every
week. My grandfather, Bryan, had been a keen amateur rugby player in his early days playing for Beverly alongside a Rovers’ legend Titch West until an unusual injury ended his career. His story which he told many times was that in a very rough game at Dewsbury the crowd were so incensed by Beverley’s play that as the team left the pitch he was attacked by a lady with an umbrella which resulted in a damaged hand and being unable to play again. I think a few others from that Beverley team eventually played for Rovers. However the injury did not stop him from supporting Rovers and when Rovers became a limited company he became one of their first shareholders. His shares totalling 3 in number have been passed down through the generations and are now owned by my younger brother Bill who still has the original share certificate, number 76. The share numbers are 398, 399 and 400. He also acted as a turnstile operator at the Craven Street ground from where many more of his stories originated. I suppose he was lucky to have watched a Rovers team that was very successful and was feared by most opposing teams in the 1920s a fact I was reminded of by two old gentlemen at Castleford in the 1960s when Rovers were dishing it out with Foster and Holiday in their ranks. Right up to his death in 1958 at the age of 88 would he enquire of Rovers’ results and their performance?
In the early 50s I had to save up two weeks pocket money to enable me to watch Rovers play. Luckily they usually only played every two weeks so it worked out well. Behind the posts at the tote end was the usual spot but for a small person not the best as there was a large privet hedge that surrounded the track at the ends, but it was the cheapest as you needed a transfer to go into the well or the east stand. However all that changed when my fathers employer (Sam Littlefield) was given the job of repainting the best stand. On the front row of the centre section where it joined the south end section was a large column which dissected the end seat making it too small to be sold to an adult but large enough for a small boy. Always on the look out for a bargain my father negotiated a ‘reasonable price’ for the seat and from that moment on I became a season pass holder in the centre section of the best stand. Not only that but more important I could now go and watch the ‘A’ team as well.
By this time both my father and brother Harold were centre section seat holders and another memory from the earlier days was the three of us sneaking out of my cousins’ wedding to go and watch Rovers play Liverpool Stanley.
I was not allowed to go to away games, definitely not to the west of the city, and therefore when Rovers played their home game away at Boothferry Park the three of us went. The match I can recall was played mid week, under floodlights and on the 7th October, my birthday. Unfortunately the match had the usual outcome. It was about this time I started collecting Rovers programmes which I still have today.
In the late 50s and with a paper round to supplement the pocket money, I was able to move from the small seat at the end of the row nearer the middle. But this bargain seat was not lost as my younger brother, Bill, now joined us and he also became an avid Roverite. Season passes for younger people were uncommon in those days and again the same reasonable price was negotiated. It is not hard to imagine that there was only one topic of conversation in our household on a Saturday night after a match something my mother and sister, Marjorie had to suffer. With no local radio to bring news of away games we had to rely on the Hull Daily Mail which usually gave half time scores in the stop press. It wasn’t until the Sports Mail was delivered at about 6-30pm that the results and reports where available. There was usually a mad scramble to letterbox when it was delivered.
I remember the late 50s as being a significant changing point for Rovers. Colin Hutton was appointed coach in 1958 and with that a host of new signings of better players. Names that stick in my mind are Bill Riley, Joe Mageen, Doug Holland, Ray Jacques, Graham Paul, Ray Evans, Alvin Ackerley and Bob Coverdale. I was an avid watcher of any match at Craven Park and went to pre season games when Probables met Possibles. It was at one of these games that the top of the goal post at the scoreboard end fell on Bryan Coulson. ‘A’ team games were also worth watching giving us a chance to spot future talent. I remember one game that had the usual A.N.Other and S.O.Else along with North, South, East and West, one of whom turned out to be John Taylor, Rovers first tourist to Australia. Another trialist who really excited the crowd was Peter ‘Flash’ Flanagan. So with regulars like Cyril Kellett, Davy Elliott, Gordon Fishwick, Peter Key plus others Rovers at last started to assemble a useful team.
I often wonder what might have been. A very frosty Christmas meant that Rovers v. Hunslet was the only rugby match played on Boxing Day in 1962. No more rugby was possible until the end of March 1963. Whilst cycling home after my Friday nights overtime I saw two former school friends, Peter Flanagan and Robin Dearing. An enquiry as to what they were doing resulted in me accompanying them to Craven Park to check out the pitch before the cup match against Keighley the following day. The pitch was covered with straw and braziers were dotted everywhere in an attempt to thaw out the ground. I was invited to have a drink with them in the supporters club and being a member I accepted. Although a member for two years, it was my first time in the clubhouse. The place was full and I was impressed with the friendliness of the club, so much so that I returned the following Friday when I met another former school friend Geoff. Hoy. Geoff was on the supporters’ club committee and soon introduced me to some of his fellow committee men, Harry Boyd, Ron Curson and Ron Powell. Rovers beat Keighley and eventually reached the semi final only to be well beaten by Wigan.
