Sam Luckley hoping to emulate his hero Alan Shearer again as he targets Magic first

Drew Darbyshire
Sam Luckley Alan Shearer

Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

Hull KR prop Sam Luckley had the chance to follow in the footsteps of his hero Alan Shearer last year as he scored in front of the Gallowgate End at his beloved St James’ Park.

The Geordie, then playing for Salford, scored a try at last year’s Magic Weekend in Newcastle and celebrated with a Shearer-style raised hand in front of the Gallowgate End.

Luckley, whose Hull KR side will face his former club Salford at St James’ Park on Saturday, says he would love to do it again.

He said: “I thought if I do score, I’ve got to do it, in front of the Gallowgate as well… I don’t really get many tries so I’ve got to take it when it comes along.

“I’ll 100 per cent be doing it again! If I get through, if I get the chance, I will.”

Playing at St James’ Park a ‘boyhood dream’ for Sam Luckley

The Scotland international says fulfilling his childhood dream of playing at St James’ Park, home of Newcastle United, will never get old as he prepares to feature in his third Magic Weekend.

He said: “I’m absolutely buzzing. I’ve played here twice before and it’s just mesmerising.

“I love coming and playing at this stadium. It’s a big do for all my friends and family as well, it’s a big build-up. I just try not to think about it too much, but I can’t wait to get on the pitch.

“When you come out for warm-up and stuff, the sprinklers are on… it feels like I should be wearing the number nine shirt!

“It’s brilliant, you can’t put it into words. It’s a boyhood dream.”

Wanting a first Magic win

Luckley, who was born in Fife and grew up in North Shields, is targeting a first this weekend. He has played in two previous Magic matches for Salford but has yet to win there.

He added: “I haven’t won here yet. We lost against Castleford when I was playing for Salford and we lost again to Huddersfield when I scored my try, so I’ll trade all the tries in for a win. We’ll have a big push for that on Saturday.”

Luckley will try to get his first Magic win on the board on Saturday when his Hull KR side face Salford in the first game of this year’s Magic Weekend, 1:30pm kick-off.

READ NEXT: Magic Weekend – Everything you need to know including kick-off times

Super League Hull KR