Summary

  • Challenge Cup winners Hull Kingston Rovers paraded through Hull city centre on an open-top bus

  • Thousands of fans filled Queen Victoria Square to celebrate the win

  • The parade started at Craven Park then travelled to the city centre via Holderness Road

Live Reporting

Richard Madden and Emma Petrie

  1. That's all from us

    Seven Hull KR players pose on top of the open top bus as they leave the Hull City Hall. Captain Elliot Minchella, with a gold medal around his neck, is cheering as he holds a large silver trophy in the air.

    That's the end of our live coverage of Hull Kingston Rovers' victory parade.

    It's been a fabulous day for everyone connected to the Robins - from the fans who lined the route to those who watched the festivities at Hull City Hall.

    The threat of bad weather didn't come to pass and the scenes of sunny celebration in Queen Victoria Square will be hard to forget for anyone that was there.

    The coverage of the Challenge Cup doesn't end tonight though. Elliot Minchella and chief executive Paul Lakin will be guests on BBC Radio Humberside Sport tomorrow night from 18:00 BST.

    You'll be able to hear that on 95.9FM, DAB and BBC Sounds.

  2. The clean up has already started

    The aftermath of the Hull KR victory parade as the crowd leaves revealing rubbish and confetti scattered all over the floor.BBC/Jessica Lane
    A crowd of people make their way out of Queen Victoria Square, Hull leaving behind cans and cups.BBC/Jessica Lane

    The party is officially over. Queen Victoria Square has started to empty as the victory parade comes to an end and the players leave the city hall balcony.

    Everyone has smiles on their faces though which is the most important thing.

    Bags of rubbish, cans and pieces of confetti have also been left behind as a memento of the fun that's been had - it's going to be a big job for the council's litter team!

  3. Owner Hudgell pays tribute to fans

    Jessica Lane
    BBC Look North

    Owner Neill Hudgell says he needs to pay tribute to "the boys" describing them as an incredible group.

    "It's not just the players, the coaching staff, backroom staff etc. But the most important people are the ones stood in front of us. Give yourselves a round of applause" he says to the crowd.

    "This is what the club's about - the community."

    The crowd break into one of the club's anthems - a little respect by Erasure.

    Shot from within the crowd looking up to the balconyBBC / Jessica Lane

  4. What do the players have to say?

    Hull Kingston Rover captain Elliot Minchella, dressed in shorts and a white t-shirt, holds the silver Challenge Cup over his head as he stands on top of the balcony at Hull City Hall surrounded by his teammates.BBC/Dale Baxter

    We've seen the Challenge Cup on the balcony and now we're hearing from the players and staff.

    James Batchelor who plays in the second row said the team had made the most of the celebrations after their Wembley win and described the scenes in Queen Victoria Square.

    "Hopefully this is the first of many,” he said.

    Dean Hadley, who grew up in Hull says the victory parade is a very special moment: "This is what it’s all for – to enjoy moments like this.

    "We don’t realise the impact we have on the community so we’re just going to enjoy tonight and so are all the fans.”

    Jez Litten was equally taken aback by the scene and said: "I've never seen anything like this in my life."

    We didn't hear too much from head coach Willie Peters because he has lost his voice and can barely talk.

    He did manage to say: "Thank you for coming out and supporting us. I'm so proud of the players."

  5. We are Hull KR, we are Hull KR

    Philip Norton
    BBC Look North

    A Hull KR player holds the famous Challenge Cup aloft from the balcony at Hull City Hall surrounded by the rest of the team. A large crowd is visible on the ground and surrounding streets.

    How do you describe a picture like this? Simply brilliant. It must be the best feeling in the world.

  6. Radio Humberside live with the fans

    James Hoggarth is broadcasting live on BBC Radio Humberside as the team and head coach Willie Peters are given a hero's welcome by their fans.

    James Hoggarth is wearing a blue shirt and holding a microphone on the balcony of Hull City Hall

  7. The Challenge Cup seen from the crowd

    Gemma Dawson
    BBC Look North

    Two young fans sit on shoulders as they look towards the balcony at Hull City Hall. Through the red smoke the sillhouette of the Challenge Cup is visible in one of the players arms.BBC/Jessica Lane

    As the team lifted the Challenge Cup on the balcony at Hull City Hall there were cheers and shouts coming from the crowds in Queen Victoria Square.

    It's safe to say they're delighted and, accompanied by The White Stripes, were singing "we are Hull Kingston Rovers" to create a roaring atmosphere.

    Fans shout and cheer towards the balcony at Hull City HallBBC/Gemma Dawson
    Two fans hold their arms in the airBBC/Gemma Dawson

  8. 'We'll remember this for the rest of our lives'

    Jessica Lane
    BBC Look North

    Captain Elliot Minchella tells the thousands of gathered fans: "We'll remember this for the rest of our lives, and you should too".

    Tom Davies who scored the winning try added he was "just doing my job. Right place, right time".

    The winning try was replayed on the big screen in the square and the crowd cheered as if it was the first time they'd seen it.

    Hull KR lift the Challenge Cup on the balcony of Hull City HallBBC/ Dale Baxter
    Fans hold phones to take photos of their winning teamBBC / Dale Baxter

  9. Hull KR fully focussed on the treble

    Craig Franklin, chief operating officer for Hull KR told Radio Humberside today is an exciting moment for the club.

    “This doesn’t feel like the end does it? This feels like the start of the journey.”

    The parade is happening mid-season, and the next game is on Friday against the Catalans Dragons.

    “It’s such a big moment for us as a club and the whole city and the community”

    “We’ll enjoy it, but the work starts again on Tuesday. We’re fighting for two more trophies, and don’t rule that out,” he said.

    Those trophies would be The League Leaders' Shield and the Super League Grand Final, if Hull KR can add them to the The Challenge Cup they'd become only the seventh team to have ever achieved it.

  10. A sea of red and white from the balcony

    Mike White
    Sports Editor BBC Radio Humberside

    Thousands of fans gathered in Queen Victoria SquareBBC / Mike White

    The open-top bus has arrived and the players will soon greet the waiting crowds from Hull City Hall's balcony.

    Thousands of fans gathered in Queen Victoria SquareBBC / Mike White

  11. Humberside Police: 'Wonderful day for the city'

    As fans pack out Queen Victoria Square, Humberside Police has issued a statement describing the event as a "wonderful day for the city".

    The force will be patrolling the area and anyone committing crime or antisocial behaviour will be dealt with "robustly".

    Ch Insp Rob Danby said: "We are proud to be a part of this event, and we are looking forward to supporting Hull City Council and other partners to ensure fans can enjoy the celebrations safely.

    "During and following the parade, officers will be patrolling Hull City centre throughout the evening to ensure everyone can continue to stay safe and enjoy the many bars and restaurants Hull has to offer.

    "This is a wonderful day for the city, and we will be out enabling people to enjoy the parade and post-parade gatherings by disrupting crime and dealing with those who may seek to harm others."

  12. Scenes on Holderness Road

    Jessica Lane
    BBC Look North

    A man with grey hair raises a fist and cheers as a bus passes him

    Fans have been cheering and chanting as they managed to catch a glimpse of the victory parade.

    One man shouted "well done lads" as his heroes went past and, as soon as they'd gone, people packed up and started to walk away.

    They're all proud of their team and happy to have been part of the celebrations.

    People clap and cheer as an open-top bus passes them closely followed by a grey and silver coach

  13. Hull KR announcer is still on 'cloud nine'

    Neil holds a microphone in his hand and wears a red winners t-shirt underneath a blue jacket. He stands on the balcony with the fans in the background

    Neil Rudd has been the announcer at Hull KR for 22 years

    Pitch announcer at Hull KR, Neil Rudd is up on the balcony at City Hall and told Radio Humberside “I’ve been watching this Rovers team over the last 18 months perform so well.

    “Was I worried with 5 minutes of the game to go? Yes!... but right at the death, that little bit of magic…I was ready to burst.”

    “I’m still on cloud nine”, he added.

    Rudd will be announcing and welcoming the players onto the balcony later. “It’s just so special,” he said.

    “I’ve been a fan of Hull KR since I was a little boy…I’ve been watching Rovers over 50 years… so to get a role within the club as stadium announcer for the past 22 years now it’s just been an absolute dream to play a small role within the club.

    “Well done Mikey Lewis for the way he slotted that final kick home to get the lead”, he added.

  14. Spot the robin

    Dale Baxter
    Reporting from Hull City Hall

    A crowd of people wearing red and white clothing in Queen Victoria Square.

    Forget "Where's Wally?" let's play "Spot the Robin" instead - and top marks for the person whose costume it is!

  15. Waiting for the red red robins to come bob bob bobbing along

    Dale Baxter
    Reporting from Hull City Hall

    Fans wait for the open-top bus carrying the Challenge Cup and Hull KRBBC / Dale Baxter

    It's so busy in Queen Victoria Square that children are on the shoulders of parents waiting for a glimpse of the team, and fans are hanging out of the first floor windows at the Punch Hotel.

    A sea of flags wave in Queen Victoria SquareBBC/ Dale Baxter

  16. A huge turnout in Hull city centre

    A crowd of peopleBBC/Dale Baxter

    It is absolutely buzzing in Hull city centre as more and more fans arrive for the Challenge Cup victory parade.

    The area around Queen Victoria Square, the Ferens Art Gallery and King Edward Street is "absolutely rammed full of people" according to BBC Radio Humberside reporter James Hoggarth.

    Former Hull Kingston Rovers player Nick Pinkney says the scene is "absolutely unbelievable".

    "The hairs stand up on the back of your neck, it is a proper spectacle and to be able to see it all is incredible," he added.

    Queen Victoria Square in Hull looking towards the maritime museum and other buildings. A large crowd is gathered around a central statue in the squareBBC/James Hoggarth
    The Ferens Art Gallery with a large crowd gathered outsideBBC/Dale Baxter

  17. Waiting for the bus

    Jessica Lane

    Lula's grandad Roy Holdstock used to play for Hull KR and was a prop forward. He played in the 1980 Challenge Cup final game when they beat Hull FC. Lula is excited to see the bus go by. She's here with her little brother Alfie to cheer the team on

    Lula and her brother both wearing Hull KR shirtsBBC/ Jessica Lane

  18. Waiting for the players and enjoying yesterday's match

    Dale Baxter
    Reporting from Hull Guildhall

    A crowd of Hull KR fans are watching a big screenDale Baxter / BBC

    The crowd in Queen Victoria Square are now watching highlights of yesterday's game on the big screen while they wait for the players who have now left Craven Park.

  19. The bus has left Craven Park

    Philip Norton
    on the Hull KR bus

    A white open top bus parked outside Craven Park in Hull
    A group of people walk towards a white bus which will take Hull Kingston Rovers players and the Challenge Cup on a victory parade
    A Hull KR player signs a shirt for a fan
    A view of the crowd from the top of the open top bus

  20. Meet Maureen

    A woman wearing a red cowboy hat, red and white jacket and a red and white rosette smiles into the camera.BBC/Gemma Dawson

    Maureen Tempest, 78, is one of the Robins fans who has come out to celebrate her side's Challenge Cup victory.

    After supporting the Robins for 54 years just how excited is she about what has happened?

    "I still haven't been able to wind down from yesterday," she said.