Danny Houghton announces retirement

Legendary Hull FC hooker and current club captain Danny Houghton, a modern day legend of the sport, will call time on a stellar 18-year professional career at the end of the 2024 season having announced his retirement.

The 35-year old, who is widely considered as one of the finest number nines of his generation, will bring the curtain down on his Rugby League career that started with the Black & Whites back in 2007, and will end his time in the game as a one-club man and as one of Hull FC’s highest appearance makers of all-time.

And so, the time has finally come to say farewell to a legend, an icon, an immortal.

Thank you Danny, for everything ?

???? #COYH | @ecostrad pic.twitter.com/q3GTqAbeXv

— Hull FC (@hullfcofficial) August 30, 2024

A Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel (2016), a back-to-back Challenge Cup Final winner, and the man responsible for arguably the most significant moment in the club’s 159 year history with his iconic ‘Tackle 52’ at Wembley Stadium leading his boyhood side to their first win at the national stadium eight years ago, Houghton has surpassed 450 career appearances this season, but decided that 2024 shall be his last year in the sport.

He will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the club’s most dedicated players of all-time, and one of the finest Rugby League talents to ever come out of the city of Hull.

A Bransholme lad, ‘Mint’ has always bled black and white since a being a young child - having first tasted the big stage in 1998 in a National Schools Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, he represented his secondary school Winifred Holtby as well as Hull Boys Club and East Hull on the community scene.

After being snapped up by FC’s academy programme as a teenager, he progressed through the club’s youth ranks, before making his senior debut in July 2007, coming off the bench to defeat Harlequins at the MKM Stadium - he would return to the U19s scene later than season to skipper the side to Academy Grand Final glory over Wigan Warriors.

By the start of the 2008 campaign, Houghton quickly had become a mainstay in FC’s side, acting as a livewire addition from the Black & White bench, playing a role in the club’s Challenge Cup run to make their first appearance at the new Wembley, but agonisingly missing out on a spot in the squad for the final.

By the 2011 season, Houghton had finally picked up the coveted number nine jersey, which he has held until this day, as well as his first senior leadership role in the side after being named vice-captain. By becoming the club’s first choice hooker, he quickly became known as one of the competition’s most threatening and talented hookers. 

He also picked up the Super League Hit Man Award for the first time for the most tackles throughout the campaign - a trophy he would collect on five more occasions in 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2022.

In the same year, Houghton also became a member of the England Knights squad, scoring on his debut against France in October 2011.

Heartbreak would follow in 2013 - after playing his part in a special cup run, a dismal day in the capital followed as the Airlie Birds were downed by Wigan Warriors. But like many others of FC’s iconic Challenge Cup winning side, 2016 would prove to be the finest season of Houghton’s career as FC finally ended their Wembley hoodoo in style.

After battling from being 10-0 to lead 12-10 into the final minutes of the match, his spectacular try-saving effort on Warrington’s Ben Currie gifted the club their first ever Wembley win - a moment etched in FC and Rugby League folklore.

Although pipped to the post by Marc Sneyd that day for the Lance Todd Trophy, Houghton’s efforts that season were recognised by being proudly named the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel - FC’s only ever winner of the accolade, as well as being picked in the 2016 Super League Dream Team alongside five other Hull FC teammates.

The glory would continue for Houghton into 2017 when again he picked up the Challenge Cup trophy as FC went back-to-back for the very first time in their history - he would achieve both victories as vice-captain.

2017 was also a year of personal celebration for Houghton as he marked his testimonial, granted by the RFL for a decade of service to Rugby League.

Following the retirement of legendary captain Gareth Ellis at the end of the campaign, Houghton proudly earnt the skipper’s armband for the first time in 2018, taking the position until 2022 before regaining the honour for his final senior career in 2024 - one of only three Hull-born players to take on the role in the modern era alongside Lee Radford and Scott Taylor.

In the 2022 season, Houghton surpassed Brian Hancock to become Hull FC’s highest living appearance maker. His next appearance will be his 450th for the club - a feat only achieved by three other players in Ned Rogers (499), Ivor Watts (459) and Harold Bowman (451) - just three more appearances before the end of the campaign would see Houghton rise into third place in the club’s list of their all-time highest appearances makers.

Houghton’s professional career will come to an end at the culmination of the club’s 2024 Betfred Super League campaign following our fixture against Catalans Dragons on Friday 20th September - a game at which his career and achievements will be celebrated.

Houghton’s association with the club is expected to continue following his retirement, having been offered an off-field role from next season.

On the decision to call time on his playing career, Houghton said: “I feel prepared for this, but it’s a sad moment to bring to an end something I’ve been doing for the past 18 years, over half my life. I wouldn’t change any of it for the world, I’ve had a great ride - I’ve seen some great highs, and some lows too, but I’ve got no regrets whatsoever and I’m happy with what I have achieved in my career. 

“I’ve been discussing it with my family for a while. Obviously it was discussed last season, but we thought it was the right thing to do to have one last go at it and go out on my terms. I’ve loved every moment - even this season which has been really tough. You have to have those tough moments to allow you to appreciate those highs.

“At this moment in time, my body's telling me it is time. And now I know it's coming to an end, my body sort of knows that too - I’ve had a few niggling injuries this season, and I’ve always said, if I can’t give 100% to this club, I wouldn’t want to do it anymore. So it is the right time now.

“As a kid, coming through the junior ranks, it felt like one game would have been enough, and that’s your dream complete. But then it turns into a bit of a whirlwind. And then before you know it, you’re coming to the end of the road.”

Houghton continued: “I’ve met some great people along the way, players and coaches - some real friends for life and created some really special bonds. And that’s what this sport does, it gives you everything. Those bonds and memories and stories will last for life. 

“I spoke to Yeamo, Washy, Tag and Shaully about retirement - they encouraged me not to fear what comes after finishing playing. I have my business on the side. There’s always a bit of fear but they’ve encouraged me to embrace it and attack it like I have my career. And I will do that.”

On the highlight of his career, and on the moment he considered a turning point, he continued: “To be part of the first team to win at Wembley, and then to do it back to back was incredible - it was a special group, like a band of brothers, a family. That has to be the highlight. I’ve endured pain to reach those gains, but that’s all part of the story. 

“I’d played a decent role in the cup run in 2008, but got told the night before the final that I was going to miss out. That was the moment in my career where I realised that these moments don't come around every day, so when the opportunity came around again, I wasn’t going to let it slip by. It shaped my career a little bit I think. It was a turning point for me.”

Adding the key things he has learnt in his 18-year career as a professional Rugby League player, Houghton added: “Never give up. Work as hard as you can. Cherish every moment. Because one day it will come to an end. And thankfully I have done that. 

“We are privileged to do this job and for me, to be able to do it for 18 years is something I'm incredibly proud of.”

Hull FC Chairman Adam Pearson, commented: “Danny is nothing short of a living legend in West Hull, and the respect he has gained across Rugby League is testament to the incredible contribution he has brought to the sport.

“His commitment, dedication and passion for this club over the past two decades has been unwavering, from joining us as a young man in the mid 2000s, to departing us as one of our leading appearance-makers of all-time - all of those elements are epitomized by that iconic tackle at Wembley some eight years ago which made so many dreams become reality - he is truly immortal in Hull FC terms.

“For those of us who have been fortunate to have worked alongside him, Danny is an example of a true clubman who is proud to represent his club both on and off the field.

“His desire and strength of character has seen him consistently perform at the top of his game for over a decade-and-a-half, showing some incredible longevity and an unwavering drive to be the best competitor he could possibly be.

“I’ve had the fortune of overseeing his journey with us for the past 13 years, and I know I speak for our whole club when I say we will miss his contribution dearly.

“On behalf of the staff, players, partners and supporters of the club, I would like to congratulate Danny on an incredible career, and thank him wholeheartedly for his contribution to the club. We wish him the very best for his next chapter, and we look forward to his future involvement with the club in capacities away from the playing field.”