Thirkill is linked to potential investment at FC
FOLLOWING former head coach Tony Smith’s departure from the club last week, owner Adam Pearson is now overseeing a restructure of Hull FC.
That will include the appointment of a new DOR in Richie Myler, with Pearson also confirming that fresh investment will be pumped into the club.
Is it believed, on the back of the appointment of Myler, that one of the potential investors could be Andrew Thirkill, the Leeds Rhinos President, but who is Mr Thirkill, what is his background in rugby league, and what is his link to Myler?
Who is Andrew Thirkill?
Andrew Thirkill is a 65-year-old businessman from Leeds. He was born in the working class district of Meanwhood and is now one the most prominent business figures in Yorkshire.
He left Leeds Central High School in 1976 and started out as an apprentice bricklayer.
He was also a filing clerk before moving to the Yorkshire Post newspaper as a trainee sales rep.
Thirkill started his own advertising agency in 1981, selling it for £2.7m in 1988. He has been involved in
several other multi-million pound businesses, including Age Partnership Group Limited, a retirement specialist based in Leeds.
He has had a diverse career, working from advertising to telecoms, also staying true to his roots by being actively involved in philanthropic efforts across Yorkshire.
What is his link to rugby league?
Thirkill is a lifelong Leeds Rhinos fan, who attended his first match in 1968. In 2019, he became president of the club.
The businessman is involved with the Leeds Rhinos Foundation, which is one of the biggest in the sport with teams across all disciplines of rugby league, not to mention various community work. He has also sponsored Jamaica’s rugby league team, with the city of Leeds having a strong Jamaican community.
How much is he worth?
Andrew Thirkill was listed as Yorkshire’s 42nd wealthiest businessman last year, with an estimated wealth of £180m.
What is the link to Myler?
Myler has been in a relationship with Andrew Thirkill’s daughter, Stephanie Thirkill, since 2022.
Stephanie, 33, is also a fan of rugby league and a successful businesswoman in her own right, having graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a degree in Retail Marketing Management.
She runs two of her father’s businesses; Age Partnership Group Limited and Advice Wise Limited.
She has a child with Myler, who was most recently with York Knights after playing previously for Leeds, Catalans, Warrington, Salford and hometown club Widnes.