ECSTATIC HULL WIN RACE FOR COVETED ELLIS

[LeedsBarmyArmy]

Hull FC have pulled off one of the biggest signings in the club’s history by securing the services of sought after England star Gareth Ellis.

In a major coup, the Black and Whites have fought off competition from just about every club in Super League and some significant offers to land one of the NRL’s leading players on a three-year deal.

The former three-time West Tigers Player of the Year and three-time member of the International Team of the Year has been swayed by the ambition and culture now fostering at a new look Hull FC and admits it was the only place to be.

“I was lucky to have a few clubs interested, but I’ve been listening to Hull and to the ambition they have got and the prospects they’re trying to put in place for the future and the bottom line for me was that it was a great time to be involved with Hull FC,” said Ellis

“I did a lot of research into the club and speaking to the likes of Peter, Adam Pearson and Shaun McRae, I really started to share their enthusiasm and I believe the club can be anything it wants to be.”

He continued, “I said originally that I would maybe like to return to one of my old clubs or my hometown club in Castleford but when I looked at it and thought about it more, I realised I still really wanted to win things and achieve things and I really believe I can do that at Hull FC.”

The 30-year-old second rower has proven to be one of England’s greatest exports to the elite competition in Australia, producing some stunning displays for the Tigers having left Leeds Rhinos in 2008.

Having started his career in fine style with the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Ellis has also proven to be one of the leading members of the national side too playing 17 times for Great Britain and 18 times for England, including an involvement in last year’s Four Nations.

Speaking to http://www.hullfc.com, Hull FC head coach Peter Gentle, who worked with Ellis during his time as Assistant Coach to Tim Sheens at Wests, believes the club have signed one of the best back rowers in the world.

“If we’re looking to take this club to another level, we need the addition of one or two class players to bring out the best of the talented squad we currently have in place and we have definitely achieved that with the signing of Gareth,” he said.

“It’s not only about what he brings to the team on the pitch, but having a world class player interacting with our young squad members will have a significant influence on their development and will enhance the culture we have at this club.

“Despite stiff competition, we are pleased he has decided to take on the challenge at Hull FC having given us the chance to present our ambitious plans for the future.

“Like when we signed him for the Tigers, he opted for us over potentially some more lucrative offers for the challenge he faced and the ambitions of the club.

“When we spoke recently about joining us in Hull, it was a very similar story. Gareth was all too aware of our ambition and targets and money was far from a motivating factor in his decision.

“He has always been one to accept a challenge and step out of his comfort zone to challenge himself. He did that when joining the NRL and now he wants to do that again with us in Super League.”

Ellis initially signed a three-year contract with Wests Tigers for the 2009 season, but announced his intention to return to England earlier this year, sparking obvious interest from just about every club in Super League.

With a glowing reference from the likes of Sheens, who has described Ellis as probably the best Tigers signing during his time as coach, this was no surprise and the Black and Whites immediately put their hat in the ring.

However, with significant offers on the table from other rival clubs, including Leeds, Huddersfield and Saints who were all rumoured to be interested, the powerful second rower has opted for East Yorkshire where he is set to play a major role in the club’s quest for silverware.

Director of Rugby, Shaun McRae, was brought into the club to help oversee this progression alongside Gentle and he has declared the signing as a signal of intent and proof that the club want to compete at the highest level.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have completed a deal for a player of Gareth’s undoubted talent and this will send a stark message to our fans and our rivals that we are club committed to making significant strides over the coming years,” he said.

“To be a successful club and one challenging for honours you need players of Gareth’s ability. He is a world-class footballer, a fine athlete and terrific professional and we can’t wait to start working with him.

“He’ll add another dimension to our play on the field and will bring experience and leadership to the culture we are trying to embrace and promote off the field.”

He added, “I firmly believe this will be one of the last major signings to come from the NRL, albeit Gareth returning home, and we are delighted that it is a signing for Hull FC.”

[chesterhino]

where is adam????

one thing though....hes gone to hull to win trophies.....??

what trophies are they?man of steel?

[LeedsBarmyArmy]

Im gutted!

[chesterhino]

are you??

rumours are that hull have opted to sign ellis and release manu...which would be a massive mistake IF true....

they now have westerman,manu, ellis, tickle, moa, all in the back row....??

hull have always had a decent enough pack, its the backs that they struggle with!

[Cheese]

" just about every club in super league"

lol

[LeedsBarmyArmy]

Mate theres a reason ive got him as my avatar haha!

Thought Moa was a prop these days?

Aye Manu's a decent player

[chesterhino]

id have loved him at leeds, BUT do we REALLY need him??
id go as far to say that hull dont actually need him either, they need some good backs to replace the shite ones like sharp/horne....

[westy_warrior]

NO FUCKING WAY - ADAM-RHINOS AND I QUOTE "HES SIGNED FOR LEEDS"

[LeedsBarmyArmy]

Yeah we dont need him at all but id of still had him!

Hull defo needed him, Manus there on decent back rower, dont rate Tickle or Westerman

There backs arent anything special

Hes gone for the money, not to win trophys!

[chesterhino]

infact adam wrote it on every feckin ellis related thread...he evenw rote it on my facebook status!!!!!!!LOL!