[ad_1]
Hull FC membership captain Danny Houghton will name time on a stellar 18-year skilled profession on the finish of the 2024 season after asserting his retirement from the game.
The 35-year outdated hooker, who’s one in every of Hull FC’s highest look makers of all time, has at all times performed for his hometown membership and can deliver the curtain down on a profession that began again in 2007.
Man of Metal in 2016, a back-to-back Problem Cup Last winner, and chargeable for arguably essentially the most vital second within the membership’s 159-year historical past along with his iconic ‘Sort out 52’ at Wembley Stadium when main his boyhood aspect to their first win on the nationwide stadium eight years in the past, Houghton reached 450 profession appearances this season, however determined that 2024 shall be his final 12 months within the sport.
Houghton has performed for his hometown membership all through his profession
Houghton stated: “I really feel ready for this, nevertheless it’s a tragic second to deliver to an finish one thing I have been doing for the previous 18 years, over half my life. I would not change any of it for the world, I’ve had a terrific trip – I’ve seen some nice highs, and a few lows too, however I’ve acquired no regrets in any way and I am proud of what I’ve achieved in my profession.
“I’ve liked each second – even this season which has been actually robust. It’s a must to have these robust moments to let you recognize these highs.”
Houghton secured the coveted No 9 jersey in 2011, which he has held till today, in addition to his first senior management position within the aspect after being named vice-captain.
That 12 months he first gained the Tremendous League Hit Man award for essentially the most tackles all through the marketing campaign – a trophy he would accumulate on 5 extra events in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022.
In the identical 12 months, Houghton additionally grew to become a member of the England Knights squad, scoring on his debut towards France in October 2011.
2016 would show to be the best season of Houghton’s profession. After Hull FC battled again from being 10-0 to steer 12-10 into the ultimate minutes of the Problem Cup last, his spectacular try-saving effort on Warrington’s Ben Currie gifted the membership their first Wembley win – a second etched in membership and rugby league folklore.
Houghton gained the 2016 Man of Metal award
Houghton’s grew to become the membership’s solely ever winner of the Man of Metal accolade, in addition to being picked within the 2016 Tremendous League Dream Crew alongside 5 different Hull FC team-mates.
In 2017 he once more grew to become a Problem Cup trophy winner as FC went back-to-back for the primary time of their historical past – he would obtain each of these victories as vice-captain.
Houghton grew to become captain for the primary time in 2018 – one in every of solely three Hull-born gamers to tackle the position within the fashionable period alongside Lee Radford and Scott Taylor.
Within the 2022 season, Houghton surpassed Brian Hancock to develop into Hull FC’s highest residing look maker. His subsequent look might be his 450th for the membership – a feat solely achieved by three different gamers in Ned Rogers (499), Ivor Watts (459) and Harold Bowman (451) – simply three extra appearances earlier than the tip of the marketing campaign would see Houghton rise into third place within the membership’s all-time record.
Hull FC hooker Houghton had a stellar 18-year taking part in profession which is able to come to a detailed on the finish of the season
“As a child, coming via the junior ranks, it felt like one recreation would have been sufficient, and that is your dream full. However then it turns right into a little bit of a whirlwind. After which earlier than you recognize it, you are coming to the tip of the highway,” he stated.
“I’ve met some nice folks alongside the way in which, gamers and coaches – some actual mates for all times and created some actually particular bonds. And that is what this sport does, it offers you all the pieces. These bonds and reminiscences and tales will final for all times.
“We’re privileged to do that job and for me, to have the ability to do it for 18 years is one thing I am extremely happy with.”
Houghton’s profession and achievements might be celebrated following Hull FC’s fixture towards Catalans Dragons on September 20, reside on Sky Sports activities+.
Watch each match of the 2024 Betfred Tremendous League season, together with the play-offs and males’s, girls’s and wheelchair Grand Finals, reside on Sky Sports activities and Sky Sports activities+. Additionally stream Tremendous League, the NRL and extra from Sky Sports activities with NOW.
[ad_2]
