Yeaman to retire at end of season
Hull FC centre Kirk Yeaman has confirmed he will bring the curtain down on his 15-year career at the end of this season.
Yeaman, 33, has played for the Black and Whites for 15 years, amassing 371 games for his hometown club.
Only twelve players have made more appearances for Hull FC over the last 151 years.
The former England international will hang up his boots at the end of the year as he became the only player to win the Challenge Cup twice for Hull, having been part of the side who won the trophy at Wembley last month and the victorious squad of 2005.
Yeaman will retire whilst holding the notable accolade of scoring more tries than any other player in derby meetings with Hull Kingston Rovers, whilst he is only the second player in the club’s history to notch up over 700 points without kicking a single goal.
He is also the highest scoring Hull-born player in the club’s history sat in the all-time try scoring charts in third position with 176 tries, bettered only by Hall of Fame members Clive Sullivan MBE (250) and Ivor Watts (216).
Yeaman said: “It was a really tough call to make, it’s a tough one to make for anyone.
“Playing rugby is all I’ve done since the age of five but, as they say, all good things come to an end.
“There’d be no better way to finish my career with the year that we’ve had so far and what we could still potentially achieve.
“It’s been something that I’ve been thinking about for a while. But I’m 33 and I’m not getting any younger, my body isn’t what it used to be. “
“These last few weeks, particularly after winning the Challenge Cup, confirmed it for me.”
““I have enjoyed some special moments and great memories and would like to thank everyone who has helped me and supported me throughout my career.
“My family, friends, coaches, team mates, the backroom staff and of course the fans have all been great to me and given me a career to remember.”
Hull FC head coach Lee Radford paid tribute to his departing centre.
“The records that he holds are a good reflection of the career he’s had,” he said.
“The many records he has will put him up there as one of the greatest-ever players to have played for the club, and deservedly so.
“He’s really rejuvenated himself in these last 12 months and has shown why, in the past, he’s claimed international honours.
“I hope he can go out on a high, and the stage is set for him to do so with the position that we’re in at the moment.
“It will be sad when he puts his boots up for the final time.”
Yeaman will take some well-earned time out at the end of the season, but discussions are already underway with a view to finding the 33-year old a suitable off-field role with the Black and Whites over the coming years.
Yeaman earned 11 caps for England, scored 176 tries in his 371 appearances, and has also played in one grand final and four Challenge Cup finals.