Radford dedicates St Helens win to Hull’s travelling fans

Hull FC coach Lee Radford was collared by his team’s hooker Danny Houghton on Easter Monday, after the hard-fought win at St Helens.

Houghton wanted to make sure that Radford thanked the Black and Whites fans who had made the long trip over the Pennines to back their team.

Radford was delighted with the wins, and amde sure that he dedicated the victory to the FC fans who made the trip.

“I’m absolutely over the moon for them, because they’re diehards that are out there today,” he said.

“We’ve copped some real criticism over the last couple of weeks in terms of results.

“There’s been shots for my head, and ‘the players don’t play for him.’

“But Danny Houghton pulled me over after the game, and said, ‘Make sure you give the fans a mention, because that result is for them who have turned up today.’

“They had a massive effect on that outcome today, just by getting behind the group when we needed it, certainly in defence on our own try line.

“So I’m really pleased for them, as I am for the group, and the owner as well.

“He’s a very passionate man in what he does, so to get that win is pleasing.”

Radford was very pleased with the effort and commitment of his players to the cause. He is sure that more wins will now follow, after a tricky period for the Airlie Birds.

FC lost the Good Friday derby with Hull Kingston Rovers in the lead-up to the game, but Radford felt that his troops responded very well to the setback.

“The effort we’ve been putting in games, is testament to the squad,” he added.

“They keep battling away, and to get that win is really important for us.

“We didn’t have many troops left, and we went with three hookers in the team.

“We thought we could get them in and around the ruck, and it’s ironic that it’s our full-back that gets them through the ruck.

“So that paid off for us today. I’m pleased with that.

“I’m over the moon with the effort. We lost Thursday’s game in the derby, which was a massive disappointment.

“It was a really tough place to come back from, having lost that game, and the manner in which we lost it.

“We threw a lot at Hull Kingston Rovers, we had a lot of possession and a lot of field position, and came up with nothing.

“They came down our end three times and scored – it was the old rope-a-dope, I suppose.

“To lose that was hugely disappointing, so to pick ourselves up and muster the effort we have done today is credit to the group.

“If Carlsberg did adverts for team spirit, then I think you’ve just seen one.”