Pearson takes over at Hull

Pearson, now head of football operations at the neighbouring football club who share the KC Stadium with the Black and Whites, today took outright control of the club by buying the entire stake from the previous shareholders.

It brings to an end 12 years of control by a five-strong board of directors, led by chairwoman Kath Hetherington, although Pearson will leave the day-to-day running of the club to James Rule who will remain in his post as chief executive.

“I am the sole owner and I would like to thank the outgoing board under Kath Hetherington and the RFL for the professional and confidential manner in which they handled this change of ownership,” said Pearson.

“It was all signed and sealed in the last 24 hours. It’s cost a significant amount of money and there are more funds to go into it in order to ensure it can now kick on and develop into one of the very strongest Super League clubs.”

Rule hailed today’s sudden development as the dawn of a new era for the club.

He said: “This is a new chapter for the club and one that I am very excited about. Adam Pearson has a proven track record in sport and a real passion for our city.

“I enjoyed working with him in his capacity as chairman of Hull City and look forward to working with him more closely as we continue our growth and development.

“I am sure everybody connected with club, including the staff, coaches, players and of course the supporters, will also be excited by this news as we move into a new era for Hull FC.”

Pearson, 46, formerly commercial director at Leeds United and one-time Derby County chairman, made an unsuccessful attempt to take over Hull FC in 2002.

Formerly head of the stadium management company which operates the KC Stadium, Pearson intends to work closely with Hull’s arch rivals Hull KR as well as the soccer club, but ruled out the possibility of a merger.

Two months ago Hull City’s owner Assem Allam, a local businessman, donated more than £1million to the Robins.

“We will be seeing a new era of unity in sport in Hull and I intend to work in harmony with the other sporting clubs in the city,” said Pearson.

“I fully understand the intense rivalry with Hull KR, we want to beat them but we want to do so with a bit of mutual respect.

“Likewise we are looking forward to an era of constructive partnership with our partners at the KC stadium.

“What the Allam family have done for Hull City I will attempt to replicate at Hull FC with strong financial management and investment.

“There are aspects of rugby I need to get up to speed on but I know there are two franchises and two clubs and that will remain forever more.

“Hopefully at boardroom level we will have synergy and can work on projects that can cut costs.”

Hull are currently eighth in Super League and take on Leeds at the KC Stadium on Sunday for a place in the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup.

Pearson intends to meet with head coach Richard Agar tomorrow to discuss team matters.