Danny Houghton retired this year after a staggering 451-game career for Hull FC—a staggering achievement. In fact, out of over 1,200 players to have played for the club, only nine have previously managed the feat. From club legends to record points scorers, here Hull Live profiles those nine players.

10. Eddie Caswell, Scrum Half, 1919-31, 401 games

Signed from Cardiff Rugby Union, Eddie Caswell was a superb ball handler and captain who had a great understanding of his pack of forwards, in particular club great Bob Taylor—Hull’s highest ever scoring forward. The duo had a dynamic partnership and were almost impossible to stop as Hull beat Huddersfield 3-2 and Hull KR 16-14 in the Championship finals of 1920 and 1921. Caswell himself was no slouch and racked up a credible 98 tries for the club. He continued to be a mainstay of the side until his last appearance in 1931, before staying on as a club trainer. He tragically died at the Boulevard in 1949.

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9. Brian Hancock, Stand Off, 1967-80, 410 games

Brian Hancock signed for Hull from Beverley Rugby Union and wasted no time in becoming a club regular. Over a fourteen-year career, Hancock saw it all, from the depths of despair to the heights of the late 1970s. He featured in that game against Huyton when just 976 fans came through the Boulevard turnstiles, and then at Wembley before 95,000 people for the all-Hull Challenge Cup final of 1980. The fortunes of Hull in those periods couldn’t have been more of a contrast, yet Hancock was as dedicated as they came. Scorer of 107 tries, he was part of the club's 'Invincibles' side and is a club legend in every sense of the word.

8. Ivor Watts, Winger, 1945-59, 412 games

Welsh-born Ivor Watts moved to Cumbria, and having signed for Hull, he soon became a crowd favourite at the Boulevard who loved his derby tries and speedy runs. Managing a colossal 216 tries for the club, which is only bettered by the great Clive Sullivan, Watts played in the 1958 Championship final as Hull beat Workington before lining up at Wembley in 1959 against Wigan great Billy Boston. After playing, Watts stayed on at the Boulevard in a trainer role and took over as first team coach in 1970.

7. Johnny Whiteley, Loose Forward, 1950-65, 418 games

The greatest to ever wear the famous irregular hoops, the devastating passing of Johnny Whiteley back in February 2022 is still raw today. As well as being the player he was, Johnny was an unbelievable human being. Growing up during the war, he wanted nothing else but to play for his beloved black and whites and did just that after completing his National Service in 1950. He conducted himself impeccably throughout his career, earning himself the nickname 'Gentleman John.' He was never dropped and never sent off. A fitness fanatic, Johnny was as athletic as they come and was soon the main engine to the famous 50s pack, who peaked under Roy Francis with two Championship wins coming in 1956 and 1958. After missing the entire 1962/63 season and most of the one after, Johnny took the role of player coach until 1965. As Hull coach, he won the Yorkshire Cup final in 1969 and went on to achieve further honours with both Yorkshire and Great Britain.

6. Joe Oliver, Centre, 1928-38 & 1943-45, 426 games

Mr. Old Faithful himself was a powerfully built centre who joined Hull from Batley via Huddersfield for a then staggering fee of £800. Oliver had a steady start to his Hull career before becoming the driving force that saw Hull become 1936 Championship winners following a 21-2 win over Widnes. He dominated that campaign, scoring 27 tries and 77 goals for a total of 235 points. He scored twice in the final and landed five goals, setting a splendid example throughout. Oliver played his last game for Hull in 1945 and stayed on as a club trainer.

5. Tommy Harris, Hooker, 1950-62, 445 games

In an era where the hooker’s primary role was winning the ball from the scrum, Tommy Harris was ahead of his time. He was an all-round rugby league player with an explosive running game who featured heavily as the club became a dominant force in the game. Harris scored the first try as Hull beat Halifax to win the 1956 Championship at Maine Road and reached an impressive 56 in his Hull career. That figure was unheard of for hookers at the time, but that’s the type of player Harris was. A game changer.

3. Danny Houghton, Hooker, 2007-24, 451 games

Hull FC's modern-day club legend, Houghton hangs his playing boots up after an incredible 451-game run. Debuting in 2007, the hometown hooker went on to captain the club in two spells, as well as play his part in the club's Challenge Cup wins of 2016 and 2017. He was also Super League's Man of Steel in 2016 and now retires with some legacy after 18 years of service. A tackle machine, Houghton gave his all for the club every time he stepped out onto the field and retires as one of the finest to ever adorn the Black and White hoops.

3. Harold Bowman, Prop, 1921-34, 451 games

A fragile-looking schoolboy to a mighty prop forward, one clubman, and captain, and all thanks to his parents sending him to work on a farm in North Newbald. Not the average rugby league journey, but that’s the story of Harold Bowman, who was a colossal figure for Hull in the 20s. Making his debut at just 19 years old, Bowman was part of Hull’s first ever Yorkshire Cup winning side of 1923, playing in the final win over Huddersfield, and scored 16 tries in the 1925/26 season, which for a prop locked in the midfield battles was a mean feat indeed. In later life, Bowman ran a farm in Holme on Spalding Moor and tragically died at Boothferry Park whilst his son Keith was warming up ahead of a semi-final tie against Barrow. He was only 55.

2. Mick Scott, Prop, 1949-63, 459 games

A club legend, Mick Scott was the cornerstone of Roy Francis’ forward pack, captaining Hull to Championship glory in 1956 after Colin Hutton’s winning penalty. By the time 1958 came around, Scott had handed over the captaincy to Johnny Whiteley, but he was still a big component of the Hull side. It was his long pass that put Bryan Cooper in for Hull’s first try that day, and it was the big prop who also scored himself late on. Scott carried on playing for Hull until his last game in 1963. He then spent a year at Rochdale before he was killed in an accident working on Hull's docks in 1968. He was only 37.

1. Ned Rogers, Utility Back, 1906-25, 499 games

No Hull player has played more matches or had a longer career for the club than Ned Rogers. His grand total of 499 may never be beaten, and it would have been well over 600 if not for the First World War depriving him of four seasons. Ned played for Hull for an incredible 19 seasons and is one of only two players to have scored over 100 tries and kicked 500 goals for the club. He played in many finals, including Hull’s first seven in the Challenge Cup. After the war, he featured in League Championship wins and a Yorkshire Cup success, winning everything on offer in the game. Ironically, Ned was signed for just a few pounds and just a few months before the club produced a then-world record fee to sign Billy Batten. Few gave Hull more continued service than the little local lad, who settled at fullback until his last match in March 1925.

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