Hull KR chief executive Mike Smith to leave the club after a decade at the helm

Smith, 58, says he firmly believes the time is right for ‘a fresh approach’ at Hull KR, whilst he says it is also the right time personally for him to leave behind the pressures of being at the helm of a Super League club.

Looking back over his 10 years as chief executive at Hull College Craven Park, he says he takes great pride in the progress made, particularly in terms of the developments and continued progress off the field.

However, he admits that come the end of May, when he will leave his role, he will do so with a tinge of regret that Rovers are still to re-establish themselves as one of the sport’s major forces.

“I’m incredibly proud of how the club has developed over the 10 years I have been in the role, particularly off the field, given the development of the North Stand, the success we have in hosting large events such as concerts and boxing and the numbers of members we now have backing the club,” he said.

“We’ve made great strides and achieved things many thought would never happen, such as attracting international rugby, and all of these things have helped put the club on a much more solid footing.

“Of course, I’d have loved to have seen us establish ourselves as a top four Super League club, but that just hasn’t happened despite so much dedication and hard work.

“I think as a club we have always had our ups and downs, and that has been evidenced in the last three or four seasons alone.

“Getting to Wembley in the Challenge Cup Final was an obvious high in 2015, but of course that ended with that incredible low feeling of suffering such a heavy loss in the final. That tells you plenty about life at KR – you have to be prepared for everything that can be thrown at you.”

Smith admits that a period of poor health in 2018 and 2019 in which he spent two periods in hospital with pancreatitis made him begin to reflect on his longer term future, and with three grandchildren also now demanding his time, he will now look for a role which gives him greater flexibility.

“It’s a 24/7 job being a chief executive of a Super League club and that brings so many pressures. There is of course the pressure of doing well on the field and meeting the expectations of supporters, but the day to day challenges are tough as there are so many matters to deal with.

“I said to Neil Hudgell a couple of years ago that it would be my last, but then I agreed to stay on. It is so hard to walk away from something you love.

“Me and Neil have always been great friends and will always be so, but we can both see that things can benefit from new ideas and somebody new at the helm day to day.”

Smith said his one regret would not being able to work alongside Tony Smith as he rebuilds the playing side.

“I have a lot of faith in Tony, as does everyone here. I’ve made some great friends from my role at Rovers, from the players and coaching staff to others at the club and officials at other Super League clubs too.”

Hudgell added: “I can’t thank Mike enough for his dedication and support and the initiatives he has overseen and developed which have truly strengthened the club.

“His experience, passion and dedication will be a big loss.”