Pearson staying put to grow his ‘baby’ in Hull

The former Hull City chairman has been linked with a Yorkshire-based consortium who recently had a bid for a majority stake in the Elland Road outfit rejected by owners GFH Capital.

Pearson was believed to be keen on a return to the club he served as a commercial director for four years until 2001.

However, the Hull FC chairman has now moved to reassure their supporters that his financial backing and focus remains on rugby league.

He said: “Leeds is a club that I live close to and I have worked there before so I understand how big a club it is but, at this minute in time, it is not for me.

“My focus is completely on Hull FC and my other business interests. There will be no movement to Elland Road in the near future.

“This is my complete focus and so I’d like to squash those rumours once and for all. It is a funny one because Hull FC is mine. I own the club, it is my baby and I want to grow and develop it.”

Pearson took charge of Hull FC in 2011 after returning to the East Riding as director of football with Hull City a couple of years earlier.

Previously, he had spent six years in charge of the Tigers and overseen the club’s rise from the basement division to the Championship.

The former Hull chairman has been linked with a possible return to Elland Road several times down the years, including in the wake of the club slipping into administration in 2007.

Earlier this month, Pearson, who also had a spell in charge of Derby County, admitted he would “definitely” go back into football at some stage. He added: “I would like to go in with a consortium with a club that has huge potential. The one that stands out is Leeds United.”

GFH Capital, United’s owners, have made no secret of their willingness to listen to interested parties.

However, the Dubai-based equity firm insist they are not interested in selling a controlling share.

Pearson, meanwhile, has reiterated his passion to bring success to Hull FC.

He said: “I am incredibly passionate about the club. Watching the team and the commitment and effort they put in, and the supporters are so passionate about the club, you can’t help but reach those levels of passion yourself.

“Certainly, I won’t be leaving FC until there is some silverware and we are established as a top Super League club. I want to win something and get into that top four.

“There are some really strong clubs (in Super League) who all want to do the same thing, with some good owners and some good coaches.

“We will just keep battling away, but it won’t be a lack of effort or a lack of commitment if we don’t reach those goals. We are going to be going all out to make sure we succeed here.”