Former Hull KR hooker is 'astute business' in Scott Taylor's Goole plan

Former Hull Kingston Rovers hooker Andy Ellis has become the latest to sign up to the Goole Vikings 2025 squad, with former Hull KR and Hull FC player Scott Taylor as head coach.

Taylor considers it "invaluable" to have the experience of Ellis, who won the Northern Rail Cup with Hull KR in 2005 and helped them to promotion to Super League the following season, after making his debut for the Robins as an 18-year-old in 2003. Ellis had a taste of playing for Goole last season and has now put to pen to paper as they plan for their new life in League One.

Taylor, who played for Rovers from 2009 to 2012 then FC from 2016 to 2023, said: "I think Andy will prove to be a very astute bit of business by the club, to have someone of his calibre, experience and knowledge around our group is going to be invaluable.

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"He is someone James and myself know well, both him and his family are rugby league through and through, and he has been a tremendous asset at every club he has been with throughout a noteworthy career.

"For our players and staff to be able to call upon that depth of experience, especially our younger players, it will be invaluable, whilst it also bolsters the strong links within our club between the amateur and professional setup.

"Andy is still extremely fit and still very driven, he will be pushing our dummy halves all the way this year and don’t be surprised to see him play a big role for the team this season."

Ellis is the 17th signing for the League One campaign - with more than 350 professional games played by him including playing in Super League for Harlequins and Wakefield Wildcats. In recent times, he has taken to the field many times in the Yorkshire League.

He said: "After playing with the Vikings last year, I got a taste of what Goole Vikings is about: the vision, the team camaraderie and the ambition of building something special in Goole. It got me excited and eager to push myself and play rugby league again.

“After the season ended, I knew I wasn't ready to throw in my boots and so, after speaking with Scott and James and hearing about the ambition and vision of Goole Vikings, I decided to put pen to paper and sign on for next season."

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