Andrew Thirkill is determined to get the crowds back at Hull FC and ensure that the Black and Whites continue to be one of rugby league's 'big three.'

Revealing a conversation with former Rugby Football League CEO Nigel Wood, the current Bradford Bulls chief labelled Hull, along with two other Super League clubs, who can sustain 15,000 crowds, with the new Hull owner in awe of how 'special' the connection between the club and its supporters can be.

Looking to align once again, Hull are undertaking a huge rebuild in a quest to become one of the competition's big forces after a handful of barren years. That has seen a change in ownership at the top, with Thirkill, along with business partner David Hood, agreeing to a deal to purchase full control from Adam Pearson, who has had the reins for over 13 years.

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That has coincided with director of rugby Richie Myler joining back in April, the partner of Thirkill's daughter, Stephanie, and a new head coach in John Cartwright also joining among new backroom staff and nine new players. And Thirkill, who was officially unveiled as Hull's new chairman last week, is now focusing on getting those supporters back onside, with the club looking to build on the 11k average attendance they held last season.

Speaking at the club's Fans Forum event, he said: "When I went to a game in September, I looked around; the fans were singing Old Faithful. It was amazing. I thought this could be something special. It always has been special. I used to go to the Boulevard in the old days; you never got much when you went there, apart from a bit of abuse. I want that back now.

"Hull is a great club. I chatted with Nigel Wood recently, and he said there are three big clubs in rugby league: Wigan, Leeds, and Hull. They’re the only three clubs that can sustain crowds of 15,000. They’re the big three in British rugby league. We’ve got to get that back. I’m really determined to do that. There’s heavy competition out there, but we want to make Hull a really good team where the spectators come along and enjoy it, and we’re all together."

He continued: "We want the crowds back. The atmosphere is fantastic at Hull. I know it will be next season. We want bigger crowds; that equals more revenue, and that revenue goes straight into the club, sits in the club, and strengthens the club and the team. It’s a perpetual circle, and we’re fully committed to this exercise to make Hull a strong team again.

"This is a serious venture; we’ve just got to get the team playing some nice, attractive rugby and get them competitive again and get more people in the stadium. We’ll have a fun, interesting time over the next few years, I’m sure. Everyone is committed to the club, but we have to make people want to come."

Thirkill also confirmed that Hull will remain at the MKM Stadium for the next decade at least. The Black and Whites have been at the venue since 2003, a groundshare with association football club Hull City.

Meanwhile, Hull's original 25-year lease will run out in 2028, with Thirkill already sharing his intentions to renew and ensure the club's future at the site. He explained: "There’s a new lease coming up for negotiations in 2028. David and I have looked at the lease very carefully.

"It’s a reasonable lease at the moment; it’s fine. The leader of the council is very pro Hull FC, and Hull City want to expand those facilities and spend a lot of money, but they want a long lease to do that, which is great, but part of the package must be that Hull FC is accommodated sensibly.

"I’m confident that will happen. I can't comment on a negotiation that hasn't physically started, but we'll get stuck into it. But I do see the future being at the MKM Stadium, certainly for the medium term. For me, we have to accept that's where we're going to be, certainly for the next ten years.

Thirkill added: "I’ve got to build a relationship with them. I understand from Adam that they’re good people, and we’ll work collectively together to get the best relationship and deal for Hull FC."

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