Merger between Hull clubs hits the buffers

NOT for the first time – and probably not the last – talks about a merger between Hull Ionians and Hull RUFC have hit a road block and the two clubs will continue as separate entities.

Officials from both sides had tentatively explored the possibility of coming together in time for the new season but no agreement could be reached.

Ironically, Hull Ionians was established in 1989 following a merger between Hull & East Riding (H&ER) and Ionians RUFC. Three years later, those H&ER members that voted against the move went on to create what is now known as Hull RUFC.

Reversing that decision from a quarter of a century ago and pooling resources in an area where there are only a limited number of players makes a lot of sense, but historical differences have always seemed to get in the way.

Had Northern Premier runners-up Hull won last season’s promotion playoff against Peterborough Lions, the two clubs would even have been competing against each other next season following Ionians’ relegation to National Two North.

“We had a good season finishing second in the league and winning the Yorkshire Cup. But it was probably a bit of a blessing we didn’t go up – that would have been a big ask and I don’t think we’d have been quite ready,” said long-standing Hull RUFC chairman of rugby Chris Murphy.

“We’ve got some good young lads who’ve been together for the last three to four years, we’ve kept the majority of the squad from last year and added one or two so the hope is to make a real go of it this year.”

Hull will begin their defence of the Yorkshire Cup, the oldest competition in English Rugby Union, away to Bridlington, on or before October 6.