Hull FC will unite with the city’s other professional sports clubs in Hull KR and Hull City to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Gaul trawler tragedy.
Thirty Hull trawlermen and six from North Shields were lost at sea when the Gaul, a deep-sea factory ship, sunk off the coast of Norway in February 1974.
The sinking was described as the worst-ever single-trawler tragedy at the time.
The wreck of the Gaul was not discovered until 1997 when the then deputy prime minister and Hull MP John Prescott ordered surveys that eventually discovered the remains of some of the crew.
Hull FC will pay their respects to the lost trawlermen alongside the Robins and the Tigers at our Betfred Super League Round One season opener at the MKM Stadium on Thursday 15th February with the laying of wreaths, and a minute’s applause ahead of kick-off.
Hull City will also pay tribute at their Sky Bet Championship fixture against Swansea on Saturday 10th February, with representatives of both of the city’s Rugby League teams also present.
Hull FC’s chief executive, James Clark, said: “The fishing industry sits at the very heart of the city of Hull’s heritage, and has also been a significant factor in our own club’s history for many decades.
“From the many players and supporters who worked on the docks or at sea, to our historical home of the Boulevard sitting at the very heart of the Hessle Road community, like many of the communities across the city, we have been shaped by this significant part of the city’s past.
“The Gaul tragedy will have impacted thousands of people across the region, and as we approach this significant anniversary, the club are honoured to be trusted to play a role in the commemorations.
“We will be proud to stand alongside our fellow sports clubs next month to unite and remember those 36 men that were so tragically lost.”
STORY SPONSOR
