Hull Trio Agree New Deals

Hull FC have reaffirmed their reputation as one of the leading engage Super League clubs for developing local playing talent by offering new contracts to Danny Washbrook, Matty Dale and Scott Wheeldon.

The trio have all agreed two year extensions to their contracts keeping them at The Kingston Communications Stadium at least until the end of the 2008 season.

The Airlie Birds have twelve Hull born players in their senior squad this season and plenty more local talents are impressing in the Senior and Junior Academy ranks.

Danny Washbrook, who has recently broken into Peter Sharp's side with a string of impressive performances is in his second year at the club having signed in 2004. He scooped the Man of the Match award in the Senior Academy Grand Final in 2005 and made four appearances off the bench in the 2005 Super League season. Washbrook has represented both England Schoolboys and the Yorkshire Academy. He started his career with Skirlaugh before moving to Embassy Longhill where he played for their U16s and gained a place on the England Schoolboy Tour of France.

Matt Dale was named Hull FC's 2004 Junior Academy Player of the Year, he is a hard running back row forward who has honours with Yorkshire at U16s level. Matty is a local lad who signed from Embassy Longhill after being their stand out player for a number of years and played in national cup finals at under 14 and under 16 levels prior to gaining his Yorkshire Academy selection. Matty has played a number of positions during his playing career but now is concentrating on the back row position.

Scott Wheeldon is another local lad who didn't start playing the game until he was 15 years old. Scott unfortunately broke his leg when he was 16 but has made a great recovery since. Wheeldon signed from East Hull and has a tremendous attitude in training and has been a stand out player for the Hull FC academies. In 2003 he gained himself a place in the Yorkshire junior academy side playing Lancashire both home and away. Scott certainly impressed during 2005 whilst on loan at Featherstone Rovers.

Steve Crooks, Youth Development Manager at Hull FC, said: "The deals for Danny, Matty and Scott bring us continuality, their attitude and performance on the field and on the training ground is superb. The youth structure here is at a very high standard and it's pleasing to see local lads progressing to the top level. Young players can see a career path at Hull FC and the standard of these players ensures we don't necessarily need to look elsewhere."