Josh Griffin is eager to continue the party with Hull FC

THERE was a point not too long ago that Hull FC's Josh Griffin thought about quitting rugby completely and moving to Ibiza to try a season of another sort '“working on the party isle's club scene.
Josh Griffin in action for new club Hull FC last week. (Picture: Dave Lofthouse)Josh Griffin in action for new club Hull FC last week. (Picture: Dave Lofthouse)
Josh Griffin in action for new club Hull FC last week. (Picture: Dave Lofthouse)

However, having rediscovered his appetite for the sport, the strong-running centre has set himself alternative goals: helping the Challenge Cup holders to more silverware and making his England debut in the World Cup later this year.

Griffin is one of the Airlie Birds’ major signings for 2017 having left struggling Salford Red Devils to join Lee Radford’s side on a three-year deal.

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It is his ninth club in just 10 years, but the player, a destructive force when in full flow, is now intent on planting some roots.

many guises: Josh Griffin playing for Salford against one of his former clubs Wakefield last season(Pictures: Allan Mckenzie)many guises: Josh Griffin playing for Salford against one of his former clubs Wakefield last season(Pictures: Allan Mckenzie)
many guises: Josh Griffin playing for Salford against one of his former clubs Wakefield last season(Pictures: Allan Mckenzie)

“I have had a lot of clubs,” he said to The Yorkshire Post.

“I signed for Crusaders and they went bust, I went to Wakefield, who ended up going into administration.

“I’ve had a spell in rugby union with Leeds Carnegie, which didn’t work out as well as planned. I missed league.

“When I came back from that, I ended up playing part-time at Batley and looking for work.

many guises: Josh Griffin playing for Salford against one of his former clubs Wakefield last season(Pictures: Allan Mckenzie)many guises: Josh Griffin playing for Salford against one of his former clubs Wakefield last season(Pictures: Allan Mckenzie)
many guises: Josh Griffin playing for Salford against one of his former clubs Wakefield last season(Pictures: Allan Mckenzie)
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“I contemplated going to Australia and playing lower league rugby. I even nearly put my name forward to go work in Ibiza for a season and completely forget about rugby. But I played quite well with Batley and fell back in love with the game.

“I grew up, got a bit bigger, gained more experience and just settled down, which has helped.

“I’ve had a good few years at Salford since when I’ve matured and got my off-field life in control, but now feel like I need to be challenged.

“I wanted to be at a top-four club, have got that now and hopefully I can step up.

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“I feel I have my best years ahead of me at Hull and hopefully I can see out my career here.”

His peripatetic path saw the Oxford-born player start out at Wakefield in 2008 before joining Huddersfield Giants, where he had his first loan spell with Batley, then returning to Wakefield for 2011.

The following year he joined Castleford Tigers after that Crusaders deal fell through, but then switched codes with Carnegie before a return to Batley in 2014.

Six tries in 10 games there saw him earn another deal in Super League with Salford and this time he grasped the opportunity, scoring 30 tries in 43 games for the club.

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Famously, Griffin was the architect of their astonishing Million Pound Game win at Hull KR last season, helping set up two late tries – first with a brilliant flick pass and then a long-range break – to rescue Salford, who had been 18-10 down.

Rovers then lost in extra-time to suffer relegation, all of which instantly endeared him to many FC fans.

“I’ve had a few Tweets about that and messages saying ‘well done’,” he said.

“It was a bizarre 90 seconds. The ball came down my side twice and we managed to get over twice. Everything went our way to get level and then Gaz O’Brien came up with that amazing drop goal.

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“I’m glad Salford are still a Super League side and wish them well for the new year.

“But what happened that day is gone now and all forgotten; I’m here to concentrate on Hull.”

Griffin, 26, explained: “I want to get involved in the big games; I’ve never even played a play-off match before.

“I want to get as far as I can with Hull – winning at Wembley last year shows what they can do – but also push for the World Cup squad, too. That’s something me and Radders have spoken about. No one has nailed down that left centre spot for England yet.

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“John Bateman played there the year before last, then there was Mark Percival and Dan Sarginson in the Four Nations just gone, but no one has really took charge of it yet. Hopefully, by coming to a bigger club like Hull, I can improve my own prospects of doing that. It’s all about playing well for all of the season and I have got to be better than those who have got the jersey now.”

On the subject of jerseys, Griffin has taken the No 4 shirt of Kirk Yeaman, the former Great Britain centre who spent his entire career with FC before retiring at the end of last season.

“Yeamo’s legacy speaks for itself,” he said. “He’s not just a Hull FC legend, but a legend of Super League as well. I know I have big boots to fill, but he’s been really helpful and it’s good to have him on the coaching staff here. We’re very different players, though, and I’m here to play my own part.”

Hull head to his former club Salford in Sunday’s friendly ahead of their Super League opener at Wakefield on February 12.