Lee Radford believes that a reserve league is the way to progress for Hull FC

Lee Radford believes that the return of a reserve league to rugby league is the way forward for Hull FC.

The Hull FC head coach has admitted his club are one of the teams involved in discussions to take part in 2016, and thinks that this is the correct way for youngsters to make their way in the sport.

“At present there are ten teams who have attended all the meetings and shown interest in applying for the competition for next season,” Radford told the Hull Daily Mail. 

“Not all of them are from Super League but the majority are, and there are some big teams in and amongst that including Wigan, St Helens and Warrington. The competition will be healthy and it will be a great next step for some of our younger first-team members to take at that level.”

Radford is a keen advocate for the return of the reserve league in the sport, and says that he is thankful that Hull FC owner Adam Pearson is of the same belief.

“There is obviously a cost to running a reserve grade league and not all the clubs saw the benefit of the competition,” he said.

“The fact that we are part of bringing it back just shows our owner is committed to the progression of the youngsters at the club over finances. Adam (Pearson) foots the bill at the club and show great commitment in doing that.”