Hull FC new boy Joe Cator says dream chance has 'been a long time coming'

Growing up as a Hull FC fan, he came through the City of Hull Academy but then joined Hull KR and made his bow for them aged just 17 in 2016.

Cator moved on to Leigh Centurions and was nominated for Championship Young Player of the Year last term before Hull came in for him on a two-year deal.

He has had to bide his time waiting for a chance so far this season given the depth of talent in Hull's pack.

But after impressing on dual-registration for Bradford Bulls last week he was called back to give his parent club some much-needed "energy" in the middle of the park.

Cator certainly provided that as they built up a 20-6 interval lead although Wakefield pegged Hull back to take the game into extra-time where Marc Sneyd's drop goal settled it.

"I don't think you could have written that could you?" he said.

"Especially when we went in at half-time like that, to then go to Golden Point and win by a point...

"But Sneydy's drop goal was awesome and to see it go over and get two points on my debut, it was massive and it's one that I'll remember.

"I massively enjoyed it. It's been a long time coming to play in front of these fans but what a way to do it and what a win we got."

Hull needed it, too, having looked like they might fall to a fourth successive defeat.

Asked if he ever thought playing for his childhood heroes might never happen, Cator said: "I couldn't tell you if I'm honest as when you're at a club you are not looking at where you are going to be in a few years.

"You are just focused on that one club and that's what I like to think myself as; someone who puts everything in for the club that I'm at

"But when FC came calling and were interested, there was no other place I wanted to be. It's really good to be back home."

Cator, who can also play back-row, hooker and centre, knows there is massive competition for forward places at Hull.

But he has started well and hopes to retain his spot for Thursday's trip to Warrington Wolves

"I just want to get in that 17, play well and keep the shirt," said the former England Academy international.