Widnes v Hull FC: Agar rues not ending playing career with final flourish

IT WAS not the fact he opted against taking up a Super League playing contract with Widnes that left Hull FC coach Richard Agar with one of his few regrets in the sport.

As a guiding stand-off, he helped Widnes, who his side visit today in the Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth round, win the 2001 NFP Grand Final and earn a cherished promotion to the top flight.

Agar only featured 18 times for the Chemics – “and only lost once in a Widnes shirt” – after following coach Neil Kelly there from Dewsbury earlier that season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But the great tactical kicker was so instrumental he was offered the chance to head up with them to test his skills against the elite.

However, he recalled to the Yorkshire Post: “I was 29 and had played three Grand Finals on the trot.

“I was picking up a couple of injuries, had already started thinking about coaching and, personally, don’t think my game would have given much impact in Super League.

“I had a good job away from the game and wasn’t prepared to throw that in so I don’t regret not taking up Neil’s offer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Probably what I do regret is not retiring from playing full stop after we won that final against Oldham.”

Instead, Agar continued operating in the division where he made his name, an ill-fated spell with Rochdale soon coming to an end when he became assistant to Andy Kelly – brother of his Widnes chief – at Featherstone Rovers.

From there he got his first head coach role at York before moving to East Yorkshire with Hull who he hopes to lead to Wembley this year after being John Kear’s assistant in their 2005 Challenge Cup success.

First comes the challenge against his former side who will return to Super League next season for the first time since 2003.

“I’ve got great memories from Widnes,” said Agar.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I recall 4,500 fans watching against Gateshead one midweek night – that shows they have the support.

“It’s a rugby town, a great stadium and it’ll be good to see them back.”

Widnes are not currently lighting up the Championship with plenty of their players probably already knowing they may not be getting a 2012 contract.

But Agar warned: “Any player in a Widnes shirt with genuine ambitions of playing Super League knows this is the game to stand up in and show what they can do.

“That’s the danger we face.”