As the club continues to look ahead to our Season Launch Dinner on January 25th at the Bonus Arena, where three new members will be inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame, over the festive period Club Historian Bill Dalton will be looking back at some of the famous names who have already been inducted.
Today, we’re looking back at the life and career of Greg Mackey – our 1991 Premiership winning captain.
Greg Mackey had played for South Sydney, Illawarra Steelers and Canterbury Bankstown in the Australian Rugby League before testing the waters in England by joining Warrington, as well as French club Paris Chantillion.
His stay in Cheshire was short-lived as Hull FC secured his signature in 1989. He enjoyed a three-year spell at The Boulevard and proved to be an inspirational leader in the halves, making 95 appearances.
His debut came away to Wakefield Trinity at Belle Vue, and despite losing the fixture, Mackey pushed on to a successful tenure with the Airlie Birds.
He led Hull to Premiership Trophy glory at Old Trafford in May 1991, becoming the first, and only, Hull player to win the Harry Sunderland Trophy as Man of the Match.
Mackey was instrumental in the winning score against Leeds in the semi-final, when his high kick under the posts had resulted in a try for Gary Nolan.
He showed the same qualities at The Boulevard as he had at Wilderspool, as a vocal onfield organiser, carrying out the game-plan of the Hull coach, Brian Smith, and as a resilient defender.
Just short of 100 appearances, in which time scoring 18 tries, Mackey’s time in East Yorkshire came to a seemingly premature end.
But eventually, his desire to return to Warrington saw him exit the Boulevard. His career came to an end at Huddersfield Giants towards the close of the 20th century
In 2014, the Black & Whites joined Mackey’s family and friends in the mourning of his death after a brave battle with cancer.
Greg Mackey was one of several players who were part of the third Hull FC Hall of Fame induction in 2011, alongside the likes of Ivor Watts, Mick Crane, Paul Prendiville and Richard Swain.
With thanks to Club Historian Bill Dalton.
Book Your Place At Season Launch & Hall Of Fame Dinner
Our Season Launch Dinner, sponsored by Arcmaster, is just over a month away – over 300 people have secured their place, and theirs still time to secure a ticket.
As well as looking ahead to the new season with Head Coach Tony Smith, Chairman Adam Pearson, and several of our new recruits, the event at the Bonus Arena, Hull’s premier events venue, will see three new names inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame for the first time since 2015.
Attendees will enjoy a delicious three-course meal as well as live entertainment, and the opportunity for photographs with some of the club’s first-team stars.
The club’s Hall of Fame includes some of our greatest former players of all-time, including the likes of Johnny Whiteley, Clive Sullivan, Lee Crooks, James Leuluai, Steve Norton, and David Topliss.
And if you’re still looking for the perfect gift for a Hull FC fan for Christmas, a ticket at our Season Launch Dinner could be exactly what you need.
Doors will open at 6.30pm for a 7.30pm start. The dress code will be smart casual.
Tickets are priced at £60 per person, whilst a table of ten can be booked for £550.
Book your place now by emailing commercial@hullfc.com, or by clicking here to purchase at hullfcshop.com
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