'˜Greedy' Ellis wants to bow out with a full platter of trophies

It is hard for anyone to describe Gareth Ellis as “greedy”; he is one of the most selfless players you can encounter on the pitch and so generous with his time and effort off it, too.

But, a day after the formidable Hull FC captain announced he will retire at the end of the season, I asked him what he would prefer: to bow out with the Challenge Cup at Wembley next Saturday or win a club-first Super League title at Old Trafford in October?

Ellis, who famously led Hull to their first ever win at Wembley 12 months ago, admitted: “Being the last game I have thought about that (Grand Final) and how fantastic it would be.

“To be honest, I’ve thought about the whole next two months and what’s to come with the Challenge Cup next Saturday obviously. We’re there already at Wembley so now we just need to turn up and perform whereas in Super League we are striving to get a home semi-final and push on. Old Trafford would be brilliant, too, so yes, call me greedy but I think I will go for both!”

It is not beyond the realms of possibility. Far from it.

Hull know how to win at Wembley now and will be desperate to avenge their 2013 loss there to Wigan Warriors when they meet again in eight days’ time but Lee Radford’s side are handily-placed in Super League, too, with a live chance of making the Grand Final.

Certainly, with former Great Britain second-row Ellis leading the way – he makes his 450th career appearance tonight against Huddersfield Giants – they are so much better placed to do so. He has been so influential for the Airlie Birds since joining them from NRL side Wests Tigers at the end of 2012 and it is no surprise the club has moved to keep him on board after retirement with the former Leeds Rhino taking over from homeward-bound Kiwi Motu Tony as football manager.

Ellis has driven standards up on and off the field in his time at KCOM Stadium and he aims to continue that once his boots are hung up.

“That’s the biggest part of the job – to try and influence the culture of the club and its direction,” he said. “I’ll be looking after everything that Radders passes down and making sure that vision is carried through.

“Recruitment and things like that will be new to me but I’m looking forward to that element of the role.

“It’s probably the dream for me in terms of what I wanted to do after playing. I wasn’t sure I’d get the opportunity as Motu has done such a great job but with him deciding to go home I have.

“That’s made it (retirement) all a little easier.

“It’s really something for me to get stuck into and it might take me 12 to 18 months to really get a feel for the job and make my own mark on it. I’ve a lot to learn but I’m prepared for the hard work.”

An offer was on the table for Ellis – now aged 36 – to carry on for another year playing in 2018 so when did he decide enough was enough?

“If I’m honest, it’s been playing in my mind all season going back to the first match in the mud and rain at Wakefield remembering thinking ‘Why am I still doing this game!?’” he joked.

“Then I got concussed and not long after that I was out with that sternum injury which kept me out for 13 weeks. There was the lonely drives to training and in my own head I must have retired about 100 times.

“But I said I wanted to get back playing before I made a decision and, even though I have enjoyed it since I came back, I still felt a full year going around again would probably be too much especially for someone likes me who thrives on all the physicality.

“There was almost a bit of relief when I made the decision. I can now concentrate on these big games and really knuckle down rather than thinking about doing it all in 12 months’ time.”

“I think Radders knew I was heading this way so he didn’t try and talk me around or anything.”