Hull FC v Warrington Wolves: Hull to commemorate hero Jack Harrison VC

HULL FC head coach Lee Radford hopes to honour war hero John '˜Jack' Harrison with another victory tonight as the club salutes one of the city's greatest names.
Hull FC's Jack Harrison, who was awarded the VC in the First World War.Hull FC's Jack Harrison, who was awarded the VC in the First World War.
Hull FC's Jack Harrison, who was awarded the VC in the First World War.

Along with Hull City Council and the Armed Forces, the Black and Whites have spent the week commemorating their prolific former player, a century on from him being posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in 1917.

Harrison was a Challenge Cup winner with Hull in 1913, scored a remarkable 106 tries in 116 matches, and still holds the club record for the most in a season with 52.

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He was killed in action during World War One in May 1917 at Oppy Wood in France, his final action to silence a machine gun post as he led his troops into No Man’s Land posthumously earning him the Victoria Cross.

Lee RadfordLee Radford
Lee Radford

He was the first sportsman to receive that honour having already earned the Military Cross several months earlier.

Hull’s reserve team will wear a specially commissioned jersey, similar to the one Harrison wore a century ago, when they play the Armed Forces as a curtain-raiser to tonight’s Super League game with Warrington Wolves at KCOM Stadium.

Furthermore, Radford’s side will carry a poppy on their jerseys and he said: “You obviously only hear the stories but he was a very brave man for what he did. We’re a club that is very proud of our history and obviously his try-scoring record was phenomenal.

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“It will be great to celebrate that against Warrington and hopefully we can cap it off with two points.

Lee RadfordLee Radford
Lee Radford

“It’s obviously been a good week’s preparation going into the game with what is being celebrated; the promotion has been really good for it off the field.

“And I’m really looking forward to watching the first reserve game at the KCOM Stadium in a very long time. For some, I think it will be their first time at the KCOM which in itself is disappointing but makes it a big night for them.”

Hull defeated leaders Castleford Tigers last week despite being down to 12-men for most of the game. Warrington have won their last four matches since ending a six-game losing start to Super League with a 22-22 draw against Hull earlier this month.