Sean Long to captain Hull
Sean Long will captain Hull FC in his debut season with the club in 2010
Monday, 11, Jan 2010 04:15
By Alistair Potter.
Former St Helens star Sean Long has been named as Hull FC's new captain for the 2010 Super League season, despite being just two months into his time at the club.
Long, who made the move to the KC Stadium after 12 years at Knowsley Road in the winter, will take the armband on the field with last year's captain Lee Radford retaining the overall club captaincy.
Hull FC head coach Richard Agar: "Sean is one of the most experienced and decorated players in Super League.
"He is a natural leader, will be our on field general and he has immediately commanded the respect of his new team-mates.
"Right from his first session, he has been imparting his knowledge and leading the way both on and off the field and he will do a terrific job."
Long, who will make his first appearance since being appointed captain against local rivals Hull KR on Saturday, told the club's official website: "This really is a terrific honour for me and an immensely proud moment in my career.
"To have gained the respect of Richard Agar so quickly is great for me and I hope to repay the faith he has shown in me, as well as the support my new team-mates have given me, by leading this side forward to victory and hopefully some silverware this season."
Agar has been careful to refer to Radford's change of role as a positive step, rather than seeing it as him being removed from the on-field captaincy, saying he will "ease the burden" on Long while he settles into life in his new surroundings.
"Lee has done a tremendous job over the last three years and will continue to provide valuable input in our leadership group," the coach added.