Hull Kingston Rovers (often abbreviated to Hull KR) are a professional rugby league club based in Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire, England. The club play home games at Craven Park and compete in Super League, the top tier of British rugby league.

Hull KR have won the League Championship six times and Challenge Cup twice. In 2025, the club won its first League Leaders' Shield, and the 2025 Super League Grand Final for the first time, and in 2026 they won their first ever World Club Challenge, to win all 4 trophies.

Hull Kingston Rovers are one of two professional rugby league teams in Hull. Hull F.C. play on the west side of the city, and Hull KR on the east side, at Sewell Group Craven Park. The River Hull is the divide between the two. Hull KR's nickname, "The Robins", originates from their traditional playing colours of red and white.

After a ten-year stay in the Super League (2007–2016), they were relegated to the Championship in the 2016 season, due to the Million Pound Game. In the 2017 Championship season, Hull KR successfully gained automatic promotion back to the Super League, at the first time of asking.

History

19th century

Hull Kingston Rovers began in 1882 when a group of apprentice boilermakers in the Hessle Road area of Hull came together to start a team, Kingston Amateurs. Their first ground was a piece of wasteland in Albert Street, the club started playing in the Hull and District League in the autumn of 1883. In 1958 the club's fortunes started improving, finishing 18th out of 30. In 1959–60 the club finished 13th out of 30, the first time the club had finished in the top half of the table since 1930–31 – the players shared a bonus of £500 to share. When the Super League competition had been proposed, it was suggested Hull Kingston Rovers should merge with Hull F.C. to form 'Humberside' and compete in the Super League. This was resisted but despite finishing top of the Third Division, they were not promoted. As the sport in Britain entered a new era, it would be ten years before Rovers rose again to the top level of the game.

Rovers were again crowned champions of the now renamed Second Division in 1996 and were this time promoted to the First Division. Hull Kingston Rovers entered administration in January 1997, and, but for the diligence of administrator Edward Klemka and the fund-raising activity of the Hull Kingston Rovers Supporters Group, the 1997 season would almost certainly have been their last. On the field though, Rovers won the Challenge Cup plate in its only season, beating Hunslet at Wembley 60–14. Then, against all odds, they finished second in the division the following season.

Rovers finished second in the league in 1998, and came close to a Grand Final spot with a Super League spot at stake. The Robins were expected to go one better in 1999 and topped the table for most of the season before their run ended and the final six games saw them drop from first place to sixth, missing out on a play-off place. Disappointment followed the year after when the Robins finished in seventh place in the league after a mid-season collapse and exited the play-offs in the first round.

After being in Administration from 1997 an acceptable buyer for the club was finally found in 2000, and the club came out of administration. Don Robinson took control in 2001 and Gary Wilkinson became head coach. Despite reaching the National Cup Final and finishing fourth in the league, Wilkinson made way for the club's first overseas coach, Steve Linnane.

Under Linnane, the Robins came within eighty minutes of their first Grand Final appearance in 2002, after a largely successful end to the season, while the arrival of former player Nick Halafihi as chief executive, boosted the club's off-field activities.

In 2004 the club appointed Mal Reilly as Director of Rugby and Martin Hall as first team coach after Steve Linnane's resignation. But Reilly left the club midway through the season, while Hall took the club to the play-off semi-final before leaving once the season had finished. Halafihi also left the club.

Harvey Howard was appointed first team coach and Paul Lakin appointed chief executive in late 2004. Howard was dismissed shortly before the Northern Rail Cup Final, which Rovers went on to win 18–16 over Castleford, with the Robins utilising the temporary player-coaching abilities of James Webster.

Permanently taking over from Howard was the former Toulouse coach, Justin Morgan. October 2005 who saw the club still in the National League, after failing to get past the semi-final stage of the National League One play-offs. Rovers also started a number of ground improvements, including the laying of a new pitch, and widening of the playing surface. They also made some significant signings for the 2006 season.

Up to that time unbeaten in their 2006 fixtures, in early June they were drawn to meet Super League side Warrington, in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup. It was arguably their biggest fixture for some years. Against all the odds the Robins won, 40–36, their best result in the competition since their 1980 Challenge Cup win against local rivals Hull. This result also created a new club record of 18 consecutive wins. The victory set up a semi final tie against Super League leaders, St. Helens.

Rovers also progressed to the final of the Northern Rail Cup for the second successive season, against Leigh at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool on 16 July. Leigh won this game 22–18, thus ending Rovers' twenty four match unbeaten run. The club's Challenge Cup campaign also came to an abrupt halt, Rovers gamely succumbing 50–0 to triple-winning St Helens at the Galpharm Stadium, Huddersfield.

September 2006 saw Rovers crowned National League One Minor Premier winners, and qualify for an automatic place in the National League One play-off semi final at Craven Park against Widnes whom they beat 29–22 to reach the first Grand Final in their history, which they won 29–16, earning a place in the following season's Super League competition.

2007–2014: Super League

After close-season signings and an overseas training camp, Rovers made a better than expected start to their first Super League campaign, winning their first two games – Wakefield Trinity at home and Huddersfield away. After suffering a reversal to Harlequins RL, they then had an away win (26–16) at Wigan, followed by a hard-fought victory at home to in-form Leeds, to go joint top of the early season table. However, inconsistent form, injuries and the effects of the first Super League sending-off (after 96 games) saw Rovers slip to near the bottom, despite a historic double away win over Wigan, and beating local rivals Hull at the Millennium Magic weekend. Improved late season results, including the safety-clinching win in the derby against Hull by the shock margin of 6–42 (played at the KC Stadium), ensured Super League status for another campaign.

Hull KR made significant changes to their squad for the 2008 season, which saw eleven new players brought in and a number of players released or sold. On 2 May the club announced that former captain James Webster had been released from the final six months of his contract due to a three to four-month lay off with a shoulder injury. He was replaced by new signing Michael Dobson, who was formerly a target of Hull. Canberra Raiders scrum half took squad number 26, and made his début against Harlequins RL on 25 May, scoring two tries. Rovers finished one point away from a play-off place.

2009 saw further consolidation of Hull KR's Super League status with away victories at St Helens, Wigan and Warrington in a seven match winning run, taking Rovers briefly to the top position in the table. A less successful spell followed, due to inconsistency, injuries and international calls, but by mid August 2009 Rovers were fourth in the table, five points clear of the next placed side.

2011 saw the end of Justin Morgan's reign as head coach and the club appointed Craig Sandercock as the new head coach for the 2012 season. Finishing 10th in his first season as a head coach and then making the play-offs in 2013, finishing 8th.

Despite making several big name signings for the 2014 season, Rovers failed to make any kind of impact in the league and with 8 games remaining they parted company with Sandercock, appointing assistant coach and ex-player Chris Chester as the new First-team coach of Hull KR. Chester could not steer the club to a playoff spot in his first 8 games in charge and they finished the season in 9th position.

2015–present: Challenge Cup final and first Super League Grand Final

Chester took charge of his first full season as Hull Kingston Rovers Head Coach in 2015 and despite a mass clearout of the 2014 squad, he made several high-profile signings, notably, Ken Sio, Albert Kelly, Maurice Blair, Terry Campese, Mitch Allgood, Ryan Bailey and Darrell Goulding.

The club's first major final in 29 years ended in a record defeat along with the highest losing margin in a Challenge Cup final against Leeds by 50 points to nil.

Chester was sacked on 24 February 2016 just three matches into the 2016 season (two losses and a draw). James Webster took the reins, and led the Robins to four defeats in the following five games; the club also suffered a shock cup loss to Championship side Oldham R.L.F.C., as well as relegation to the Kingstone Press Championship in the 2016 Million Pound Game.

In September 2016, it was announced that Tim Sheens would be coaching the club for the next three years. In his first season, Rovers were promoted without having to play the Million Pound Game.

Over the next three seasons, Hull KR finished 10th, 11th and 11th. In the 2020 Super League season, the club only avoided relegation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Toronto's expulsion from the league.

In the 2021 Super League season, Hull KR were predicted to fight against relegation after finishing the previous season on the bottom of the table. The club however finished in sixth place and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2013. In the elimination playoff against Warrington, Hull KR produced a major upset winning the game 19–0 and booking their place in the semi-final against Catalans Dragons.

In the 2021 semi-final, Hull KR lost the match 28–10 at a sold out Stade Gilbert Brutus.

Hull Kingston Rovers started the 2022 Super League season looking to build on the events of 2021. Midway through the year however, head coach Tony Smith announced he would be leaving at the end of the year. In May 2022, Hull KR reached the semi-final of the Challenge Cup were defeated by Huddersfield at Elland Road. In July 2022, Smith left Hull Kingston Rovers after a humiliating loss to Toulouse Olympique and he was replaced by interim head coach Danny McGuire. Hull Kingston Rovers would finish the year in 8th place on the table. In the 2023 Super League season, the club finished fourth on the table and qualified for the playoffs. They defeated Leigh in the elimination playoff to reach the semi-final against Wigan. Wigan would defeat Hull Kingston Rovers 42–12. The club also reached the final of the 2023 Challenge Cup but were defeated by Leigh in extra-time.

Hull KR finished second in the 2024 Super League table and reached their first Grand Final by defeating Warrington Wolves 10–8 in the play-off semi-finals. In the grand final, Hull Kingston Rovers would fall short of winning their first piece of silverware in 39 years losing 9–2 against Wigan.

On 7 June 2025, Hull Kingston Rovers won their first major trophy in 40 years as they defeated Warrington 8–6 in the 2025 Challenge Cup final. Hull Kingston Rovers scored the winning try with less than two minutes remaining. They went on to complete the treble – topping the table and beating Wigan 24–6 in the 2025 Super League Grand Final.

Hull Kingston Rovers started the 2026 Super League season in the worst possible way, losing to the newly promoted York RLFC side 19–18.

On 19 February 2026, Hull Kingston Rovers won the World Club Challenge for the first ever time defeating NRL premiership winners Brisbane 30–24.

Stadium

1895–1922: Craven Street

Hull KR first played on Craven Street in 1895 and played there until 1922 when they built and developed a bigger stadium at Old Craven Park with better facilities.

1922–1989: Old Craven Park

Hull KR moved to Craven Park from their cramped Craven Street ground in 1922. The club purchased and developed a site behind the tram and bus depot on the eastern end of Holderness Road and it hosted its first game on 2 September 1922. Craven Park also hosted greyhound racing. Hull Kingston Rovers sold the ground to the Greyhound Racing Company in 1930s due to financial difficulties, securing a long-term lease to continue playing there.

In the early 1970s Hull Kingston Rovers purchased a site at Winchester Avenue with the aim of building a new stadium there. These plans never came to fruition and the site was later sold to a private developer. The profit made from this land was used to buy back Craven Park with greyhound racing continuing as a subsidiary concern. Following the Bradford City stadium fire, capacity was restricted and costs of safety work spiraled. With the club in debt the ground was sold to developers and the final game was played there on 9 April 1989.

1989–present: Craven Park

right|250px

The club moved to the new ground in 1989 from the "Old" Craven Park which was sited on Holderness Road. The first match was played against Trafford Borough packing in a full capacity 8,500 crowd to watch.

In 2006 the ground and pitch were substantially improved as the club sought a return to the top flight of English rugby league. On 25 January 2014, Hull Kingston Rovers announced that it had secured a new stadium naming rights partnership with local communications provider, KC. Under a five-year agreement, Craven Park was renamed the KC Lightstream Stadium. After a corporate rebrand, the stadium was renamed again as KCOM Craven Park. In 2019 it was renamed the Hull College Craven Park Stadium.

A further renaming deal was signed in January 2022 when Hull-based company, Sewell Group, signed a two-year deal for rights to the stadium naming. The stadium to be known as the Sewell Group Craven Park.

On 28 March 2022 the club announced that they had purchased the ground from Kingston Community Developments Ltd (KCDL). KCDL had been the club's landlord since the 1990s. The club also announced that they have the option to buy up to of land surrounding the ground from Hull City Council.

Colours and badge

Colours

Hull Kingston Rovers have played in red jerseys throughout their history. From their inception the club's colours were agreed to be red jerseys with a blue band across the chest, white shorts and red socks.

Badge

thumb|right|150px|This version of the club crest was used prior to 2022

Hull KR's badge was similar to city rivals Hull F.C. in that they did use the city coat of arms until its redesign in 2022, but KR's club badge is mainly red within a shield.

Kit sponsors and manufacturers

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|-

! Year !! Kit manufacturer !! Main shirt sponsor

|-

| 1981–1983 || rowspan=4|Adidas || rowspan=1|Rank Xerox

|-

| 1983–1986 || Savoy Tyres

|-

| 1986–1992 || Hanson White Print

|-

| 1992–1993 || Riding Bitter

|-

| 1993–1995 || rowspan=2|Le Coq Sportif || John Smiths

|-

| 1995–1997 || Wastewise

|-

| 1998–2000 || rowspan=2|Avec || none

|-

| 2001 || Just 1 Look

|-

| 2002 || SDS || rowspan=3|P and D

|-

| 2003–2004 || Patrick

|-

| 2005 || Kukri

|-

| 2006 || rowspan=2|Carlotti || Platform 1

|-

| 2007–2008 || Lloyds TSB

|-

| 2009 || rowspan=2|Kooga ||Parasol

|-

| 2010–2011 || Sportingbet

|-

| 2012–2013 || Burrda || Hirebase

|-

| 2014–2015 || rowspan=2| Fi-Ta || ClearSky Business Support

|-

| 2016 || Brian Alfred

|-

| 2017 ||rowspan=3| XBlades || University of Hull

|-

| 2018 || MLS Group

|-

| 2019 || Motordepot

|-

| 2020 || rowspan=3|Oxen || The Drain Company

|-

| 2021|| Sporting Pay

|-

| 2022–|| Connexin

|}

Rivalries

The club's main rivalry is with cross-city side Hull F.C. in which they contest the Hull Derby.

Players

2026 squad

2026 transfers

Notable former players

Greatest ever team

In 2012, Hull KR supporters voted for the best players in the club's history. The players who received the most votes in each position were named in the club's "Greatest Ever Hull KR 13".

{| class="wikitable"

|-

!No.

!Player name

|-

|1

|George Fairbairn

|-

|2

|Steve Hubbard

|-

|3

|Mike Smith

|-

|4

|Gary Prohm

|-

|5

|Clive Sullivan (MBE)

|-

|6

|Roger Millward (MBE)

|-

|7

|Gordon Smith

|-

|8

|John Millington

|-

|9

|Peter Flanagan

|-

|10

|Len Casey

|-

|11

|Phil Lowe

|-

|12

|Paul Fletcher

|-

|13

|Gavin Miller

|-

|Coach

|Roger Millward (MBE)

|}

Other notable players

These players have either won Challenge Cup, Rugby Football League Championship, Yorkshire Cup, Yorkshire League; played during Super League; received a Testimonial match; been international representatives before, or after, their time at Hull Kingston Rovers; or are notable outside of rugby league. For a comprehensive list of players, see List of Hull Kingston Rovers players. Figures in (brackets) are total club appearances.

  • Allan Agar
  • Chris Anderson
  • Gilbert Austin (348) (72) (237)
  • Paul Eastwood
  • David "Dave" Elliott (300)
  • Robert "Bob" Harris (#5) (274)
  • Tries: 11 by George Henry 'Tich' West vs Brooklands Rovers, 4 March 1905
  • Points: 53 (11 tries, 10 goals) by George Henry 'Tich' West vs Brooklands Rovers, 4 March 1905 (a rugby league world record)

Season records

  • Goals: 199 by Mike Fletcher, 1989–90
  • Tries: 45 by Gary Prohm, 1984–85
  • Points: 450 by Mike Fletcher, 1989–90

Career records

  • Goals: 1,268 by Mike Fletcher, 1987–98
  • Tries: 207 by Roger Millward, 1966–80
  • Points: 2,760 by Mike Fletcher, 1987–98
  • Appearances: 481 by Mike Smith, 1974–1991

Other records

  • Highest score: 104–0 vs Lock Lane, 6 February 2026

Women's team

The Hull KR women's team was established in 2019. They played their first match, a 40–8 win over Rochdale, in April. In 2019, they competed in League 1 and made their Women's Challenge Cup debut with a 24–14 loss to Halifax in the first round. In 2021, Hull KR defeated Dewsbury Moor Ladies in the League 1 Grand Final to earn promotion to the Championship and in November it was announced that the team, which had until that time been supported by the Hull KR Community Trust, was to become integrated into the club's structure. In 2022, the team reached the semi-finals of the League Cup by defeating Hull FC in the first derby fixture between the two sides. They had previously been due to face each other in the cancelled 2020 Challenge Cup. In the 2023 season, Hull KR suffered a 122–0 defeat to York Valkyrie in the group stage of Challenge Cup, but then won the League Cup with a 22–6 win over Stanningley in the final. They also finished top of the Championship and defeated Oulton Raidettes 30–16 in the Grand Final but were denied the opportunity for promotion due to the restructuring of the national pyramid in 2024. In January 2024, it was announced that they would be in the 2024 Northern Women's Championship.

Notes

References

  • Hull KR Junior Robins
  • Hull KR history