Ready to turn back clock and restore the good times

That should serve as positive news for their fans; the loose-forward was in their only team to reach a Grand Final in 2006 – a decade ago.

Washbrook was part of the Hull side that lost to St Helens at Old Trafford that night but, given they had won the Challenge Cup the previous season, many observers thought the Airlie Birds would kick-on and become a force for years to come.

It has not happened like that but, ahead of Friday’s Super League opener against Salford Red Devils, he is adamant the good times can return for Lee Radford’s side.

“I definitely sense that,” said the 30 year-old, who has re-signed from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

“Hull have gone through a couple of coaches since and some things have changed since I left but Radders is trying to put his stamp on it now and get who he wants out on the park.

“I think we’ve got a very good squad and lots of strength in depth so we have a really good chance this year of doing something good.

“Everyone knows how mad people are about their rugby league in Hull.

“I haven’t really had as much of it (talk) as before but people do have a lot of expectations.

“We’re a big club and people look at the players bought here and think they are going to do well.

“We have to go about our job now, do what we’ve done in pre-season and, hopefully, that will lead to performances on the field and wins.”

Washbrook will not mind people saying he is one of the less glamorous of Radford’s captures.

Kiwi forward Frank ‘The Tank’ Pritchard, Penrith Panthers’ Sika Manu and former Hull KR and Wigan prop Scott Taylor are more eye-catching signings but Washbrook is just the sort of dedicated, reliable professional Hull need to fashion the right ethos required to be a successful side.

That fact is not lost on Radford who, of course, played alongside him in in the back-row during that 2006 Grand Final and so knows first-hand the character he is.

Hull-born Washbrook was just 21 then, though, and, having left in 2011, feels he is now entering his peak years.

“I’d definitely say those four seasons at Wakefield have helped me become a more rounded player – I probably played my best rugby there – so, hopefully, I’ll bring that back here,” he added.

“It’s been really easy to settle back in even though not many lads are still here from when I was here last time.

“Everybody’s made me feel really welcome. It’s probably made it a bit easier with there being six or seven new signings; if there’d only been one or two it might be harder settling into the group but it’s been really enjoyable.”

Washbrook is eyeing the No 13 role vacated by Joe Westerman’s sale to Warrington Wolves but is equally adept at second-row and can also fill in at half-back or hooker.

Wherever he slots in, he knows the importance of starting well if Hull are to avoid the disappointment of finishing as low as eight like they did last term.

The visit of Salford should give them a decent chance of doing that, although Washbrook concedes he is unsure of what to expect from the side that finished 11th in 2015.

“They have lost some key personnel but signed some very good players as well,” he said.

“For the past year or so, Rangi (Chase) has run everything for them but they have new half-backs now with Robert Lui (from North Queensland Cowboys) and Gaz O’Brien (Warrington) while they’ve got Michael Dobson still there so we’ll see how they go.

“(Director of rugby) Tim Sheens has had them for a full pre-season, too, so it will be interesting to see whether anything changes in the way Salford play.

“It will be a tough first game of the season as they’ll be all fired up but we’ve been building to make sure we’re ready as well.

“Every point is valuable in the new format and we want to be starting as best we can, which means getting our first win under our belts.”