This week’s Hull FC Member of the Week is Andrea Merrikin, who has supported the club for over 40 years and also works as our Away Supporters Liason Officer.
How long have you been a member of the Black & Whites for?
I’m not quite sure on the exact date, to be honest! The worst part about me is my memory with dates, but I would say that I have been going to Hull FC games for over 40 years now, so that was obviously back in The Boulevard days.
What was the first match you attended?
Again, I can’t remember because of my terrible memory but one game that does stand out for me is the last game that Hull played at the Boulevard. I played in a ex-Hull FC players team against some other ex-players team in a curtain raiser to the match between Hull and Bradford Bulls. I got the chance to play when I won a radio competition and I played alongside Johnny Whiteley. I scored a try in the game, so I am the only woman to score a try at The Boulevard! I remember having to wear Graeme Horne’s academy kit.
Tell us a bit about your match day volunteering role.
I’m the Away Supporters Liason Officer for Hull, which is a volunteer role. I’m there to meet and greet away supporters, help out with any problems, access issues to disabled fans and that has helped me make a lot of friends at other clubs. I absolutely love doing it. People recognise me as the lollipop lady because I hand out lollies to everyone, which usually puts a smile on their faces!
What would your top three reasons be for being a Hull FC supporter?
I’m not quite sure other than the fact that I love the club. It is a great family club and the people involved have really helped me through some tough times in my life. My husband had a terrible accident a few years ago and the staff at the club were amazing. I was in a really bad place and some of the members of staff brought the Challenge Cup around to my house. The Clubman of the Year award at the Player of the Year awards dinner has been named after my husband, Martin Merrikin, which is a lovely tribute
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