Sutcliffe is centred on success
V
NEW signing Liam Sutcliffe has done it all with Leeds Rhinos, but he is now ready to show that Hull FC can be contenders.
The versatile
28-year-old debuts at centre against Castleford today, having ended his 11-year association with the Rhinos.
He won two Challenge Cups and a Grand Final, making almost 200 appearances for his hometown club.
So it is going to be slightly strange pulling on the black and white colours at MKM Stadium this afternoon.
But Sutcliffe insisted: “I can’t wait to get started.
“Pre-season’s not too bad but the more you do it, the more you just get excited for round one.
“It’s great to be at a new club. I settled pretty quickly and it feels no different now. Hull are a big club with massive potential. I want to help them realise it.”
A poor finish last term saw Hull miss out on the play-offs and cost Brett Hodgson his job as their head coach.
Serial winner Tony Smith, the ex-england boss who inspired Leeds’ first Grand Final win in 2004 and brought glory to Warrington before joining Hull KR, is tasked with finally making them click.
It has been more than 30 years since they won a league championship, but Sutcliffe said: “Hopefully Tony’s experience can help us do that.
“I’m not going to say we’re going to do it instantly.
“But this is a great club with a great fan base and I know he can help unlock some of that potential.
“It’ll be a tough first game against Castleford. They’ve strengthened their own squad and have plenty of former Hull players there like Mahe Fonua and Bureta Faraimo. We know they’ll be strong.”
Castleford’s Joe Westerman is expected to play a week on after his much-publicised sex scandal.