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Hull KR have come a long way since the dark days of administration. Tonight, they face champions Leeds Rhinos in a top-four encounter at Headingley. Richard Hercock reports.
There will not be a prouder man at Headingley Carnegie tonight than Hull Kingston Rovers chairman Neil Hudgell.
For when the Robins run out at the home of the engage Super League champions Leeds Rhinos most observers will acknowledge the feat of recovery from one of the game's most famous clubs.
During the Eighties, Hull KR had a packed trophy room, picking up every honour the game had to bestow upon them, including back-to-back First Division Championship titles, and beating fierce city rivals Hull at Wembley in the Challenge Cup final.
But the following decade brought as many lows to match the highs that had gone before, ending up with the proud Robins ending up in administration as crowds dwindled to just 1,700.
Hudgell's first match in charge as chairman five years ago saw Hull KR thrashed by Batley Bulldogs. Tonight, they play champions Leeds, secure in fourth place with a five-point gap over nearest challengers Wigan.
"My first game as chairman was Batley away and we lost by 30 points and we were playing to about 1,500 spectators. There have been some fundamental changes here," said Hudgell.
"There has been a lot of hard work from a lot of people. We have a pro-active board of directors who are predominantly Rovers supporters. We have the longest-serving coach at one club in Super League (Justin Morgan), that has brought stability which is a key ingredient."
Hudgell has not missed a Robins game in Super League since they were promoted from the National Leagues two-and-a-half seasons ago.
Tonight's trip to Headingley for a top-four match will only serve to highlight the amazing revival of the East Hull club.
"It was always our long-term aim to get into Super League and compete but until that translates to actual deeds it remains a bit of a dream," said Hudgell, who runs his own legal practice in Hull.
"We all got involved with the intention of delivering a Super League club otherwise what is the point in being involved? We as a board never really evolved just to play at it.
"The hope is that we would get there, part of it is a little bit of a dream, but we still want to go further."
Before Sunday's victory over Bradford Bulls, Hull KR had been stuttering after just one win in six, including a defeat to Catalans Dragons which saw some fans criticise team selection and performance.
It prompted Hudgell to run a plea to fans in his match-day column, asking them to remember how far the Robins had come in the last five years.
"I can understand people being frustrated and emotional in the aftermath of a defeat and everyone is entitled to their opinion, however extreme that might be.
"But in the cold light of day it is important to maintain a sense of perspective. We aren't the complete article by any stretch of the imagination. We aren't arrogant enough to think we might be in less than three years in the big league.
"We are still evolving as a team and I expect with a couple of top drawer additions between now and the end of the year and another season under our belt we will be well-positioned to continue that push.
"It is important that we don't lose sight of the bigger picture by demanding too much too soon and then becoming disillusioned when things don't happen overnight. It's important to recognise the part the fans have played.
"They are very passionate and have made good impressions in a lot of places they have travelled.
"They are as important as anything else in this equation but, like with any set of fans, when you are successful you grow new fans that probably haven't been used to the hard times and don't fully understand and appreciate where we have been not so long ago."
Having finished 11th in their first season in Super League, they bettered that last year by finishing seventh. A top-four place is Hull KR's for the taking if they do not implode, and Hudgell would be delighted.
"We have always been about progress and as long as we do progress then I will be satisfied," he said. "Eventually, although we never talk about trophies, if we keep making progress then that sort of thing takes care of itself."
Activities off the field have been hit by the recession, but Hudgell acknowledges they need to keep up their Craven Park development plans. "Aspirations for the club short term are to translate the early promise of the season into a top-four finish which is easier said than done.
"We need to make sure we pick up enough wins to consolidate that top-four position and if we can do that I think that is a fairly remarkable achievement in our third year in Super League.
"Longer term it is to do what we have been trying to do for the last couple of years and that mean some necessary improvements to the infrastucture. We have been knocked back on that with what has been happening in the economy.
"We need to try to improve the facilities so we can kick on off the field."
