Memorable KCOM Stadium moments
We’ve travelled back in time to relive some of the super spring moments in Hull FC’s history.
We’ve partnered up with KCOM Craven Park to take a trip back in time and showcase some of the most memorable games, events and goals at the venue.
As fans already know, Hull KR has a rich history spanning over three centuries. As a result, we’re definitely not stuck for games to remember and reminisce about.
Today, we’re taking a look at the moment that the team clinched promotion as they beat their Halifax opponents in April 1990.
The season before had seen the relegation of KR from rugby league’s old First Division. By 1989/1990, they were hungry to return to the top flight and managed to do so thanks to the guidance of legendary club coach, Roger Millward MBE.
Millward actually played for the club from 1966 after transferring from Castleford. He made his debut for KR in mid-August of that year. Two years later and he was already the top try scorer for the team, with a total of 38 tries for the 1968 season.
The following year, the 21-year-old was given the captaincy, and throughout the next decade the Robins became a dominant force in the world of rugby league.
Millward was dedicated to the team. For example, in 1979/80 the Rovers side made it to Wembley to play against rivals Hull FC in the Challenge Cup Final. Although Millward broke his jaw, he continued to power through until the team was awarded the trophy at the end of the game.
Even after retiring, Millward stuck with his coaching role at Hull KR for the next two decades.
On Wednesday 4 April 1990, the Robins were at the top of the second division, surpassing the Rochdale Hornets by just two points with an impressive points difference of 1,202 for and just 190 against.
Over five thousand spectators turned up to watch their teams play under the Craven Park floodlights.
As soon as the game kicked off, the Rovers were on fire with Mike Fletcher and Paul Lyman scoring a try apiece in just the first 360 seconds.
In fact, Fletcher’s fourth-minute score managed to break Steve Hubbard’s record for the most points in the season, and he went on to register 450 points by the time the season came to an end. This is a record that still stands today.
Sensing a defeat, the Halifax side began to adopt spoiling tactics. The Robins continued to push on, but only managed to register just one more try until the final three minutes of the game. At this point, they crossed twice more to achieve a comfortable 29-6 victory.