Their principal benefactor over many years have been construction company Beal Homes, with the owning family at times leading the governance as well as the financing of the Club. They have a history of recruiting fine players from far and wide including a number that have made the cross- code switch in a RL dominated City. Hull’s Head Coach is the very experienced Mike Omaga and he has a very loyal squad of players. The most well known star of the pack over recent seasons has been the veteran and much travelled Tongan international backrower Latu Makaafi. Before his most recent spell at Hull, he’s spent periods at Bradford & Bingley (2 seasons), Hull (1 season), Wharfedale (1), Doncaster Knights (2), Rotherham Titans (1), Jersey (1), Doncaster Knights (2) & Coventry (2). The Hull pack includes other quality, experienced personnel including front rowers, props Jamie Major, Tomas Bairstow and ex-Premiership veteran Charlie Beech, and hooker Michael Jobling. Bairstow startled the Woodlands crowd last season with a blistering burst from 40m out to score an outstanding try under the posts. Powerful locks Paulos Latu and Liam Regardsoe are supported by backrowers including David Halaifonua (sometimes a centre), Jose Uriburu Gray, Will Hall and no 8 Adam Brankley who is the leading try scorer with 11. Their backline is led by halfbacks, fly-half Harrison Astley and lively no 9 Harvey Harding. Stalwart of the three quarters over recent years is Ali Heard who is now the record holder of number of appearances for the Club with over 240. One of the dangermen in the backs is former RL centre, the powerful Bureta Faraimo who has notched 10 tries to date. Another RL recruit, winger Josh Ratuvou, has also been turning heads. It was hoped that the return after injury of the prolific winger Mike Adlard this season would also make a big difference but he’s only made seven appearances to date. The principal goal kicker is former Old Brodleians fullback Fynlay Hobson, a newcomer this season, and he’s top points scorer to date with 109.
FYLDE 1st XV ATTENDANCES
2022-23
Chester
540 462 517 583 452 480 583 628 547 786 638 912
Harrogate Blaydon Wharfedale Tynedale
Huddersfield Sheffield Tigers
Hull Ionians Rotherham Preston G
Sedgley
1042
Sheffield RUFC
Otley
Av
628
2023-24
Sheffield Tigers
620 505 480 452 564 605 607 915 495 468
Billingham
Lymm
Tynedale
Huddersfield
Otley
Preston G Hull RUFC Wharfedale Rotherham Hull Ionians Leeds Tykes Sheffield RUFC
1220
1195
812
Av
687
2024-25
Preston G
1490 1080 549 550 432 804 634 711 1178 1002
Chester
Harrogate
Otley Leeds
Wharfedale Hull Ionians
Sheffield Tigers
Lymm
Tynedale
Av
843
www. fylderugby .co.uk
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