Read part two of our feature interview with club legend Jason Smith, who returned to Hull for the first time earlier this year.
To read park one of our feature interview with Jason Smith – click here
Having discussed his arrival in the city of Hull and his first two seasons with the club, change was on the cards as Hull made the move from their historical home of the Boulevard, to the KCOM Stadium.
And the opening match was particularly memorable for Smith, for all the wrong reasons.
“I just remember kicking off, we all raced down and I thought we’d put some pressure on in the first set. I ran up and slipped a bit high and caught the Halifax player around the head.
“The referee sent me straight off and I couldn’t believe it. Everyone was so pumped up for the first game at the stadium, there was a great atmosphere and I felt so embarrassed that I’d done that inside the first 20 seconds.”
“Playing at the new stadium, was a big change from playing at the Boulevard, but when you’re out on the field, it doesn’t really matter where you’re playing. Having said that, it was a great venue and still is.”
Smith would complete his third and fourth seasons at the club, but ultimately would leave the club without having won any silverware, which Smith admits as one of his disappointments during his time with the club.
“I was disappointed not to pick up any silverware while I was here. I think in 2004 we really should have won something.
“I missed the first-half of that season, and I know a great mate of mine Richie Barnett missed a large part of that year too – we just never managed to get out best seventeen players on the field consistently that season.
“I think if we had, we’d have had a real shot at winning something. I was chatting about that side with Lasty and Yeamo yesterday and we all agree that we were very unlucky that season.
However, during his playing days with the Airlie Birds, Smith had the chance to line-up alongside some of the club’s rising stars.
“Yeamo and Horney were only young when I was here, but from what I saw, I knew they’d go on to be as successful as they were.
“Rich was playing as a half-back at first-team level when he was only 18 years old. To lead a Super League side around the paddock like that showed he had some great qualities, and Kirk too was fast and strong, and had the right attitude to push on like he did and stay a big part of the side for over ten years.
“Paul (Cooke) was great too. We were playing a similar role in the squad at the same time, and he was always willing to learn from me. It was great to see him develop.”
Smith also recalled his memories of the late, great Steve Prescott, adding: “Steve was a great competitor on the field. On the field, he had electric pace and was a fantastic bloke to watch. I remember the fun times we had on and off the pitch.
“We went over to a pre-season camp in Spain once, and there are plenty of details I can’t go into but whenever I think of that trip, I burst out laughing thinking about the stupid stuff that Steve got up to to keep up all entertained. It’s terribly sad what happened to him.”
Looking ahead to the Black & Whites’ chance in 2020, Smith added: “I’ve got a lot of hope for Hull in 2020. The last couple of seasons have obviously been a bit disappointing towards the end after the success of the two Challenge Cups, but they have the coach, the staff, and they certainly have the squad now to push on and achieve something this year.
“I think if they can stay injury free, which takes a bit of good luck, there could be some success. Successful sides are always the ones that manage to keep their best 17 on the field for the season, and that’s what Hull need to do.”
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