Hull FC legend Houghton to retire at end of season

Danny Houghton needs to play three more games this season to move up to third in Hull FC's list of all-time appearance makers

Hull FC hooker Danny Houghton is to retire at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old made his debut for the club in 2007 and will make his 450th appearance in Saturday's Super League game against Castleford Tigers.

He has spent his entire career with his hometown team and was part of the Black and Whites side that won the Challenge Cup in successive seasons in 2016 and 2017.

“I feel prepared for this, but it’s a sad moment to bring to an end something I’ve been doing for the past 18 years, over half my life," he told the club website.

"I wouldn’t change any of it for the world, I’ve had a great ride - I’ve seen some great highs, and some lows too, but I’ve got no regrets whatsoever and I’m happy with what I have achieved in my career."

He added: “To be part of the first team to win at Wembley, and then to do it back-to-back was incredible - it was a special group, like a band of brothers, a family.

"That has to be the highlight. I’ve endured pain to reach those gains, but that’s all part of the story."

The club have said that Houghton, who represented England Knights but was never capped by the full side, has been offered an off-field role for next season.

Chairman Adam Pearson called him "truly immortal in Hull FC terms".

Analysis - Houghton embodied fans' spirit

BBC Sport rugby league reporter Matt Newsum

Danny Houghton has been such a talismanic figure for Hull FC over the past 18 years, and replacing his appetite for graft, leadership and work rate will be a major task for director of rugby Richie Myler.

Houghton did not just play for Hull in the transient way sports people sometimes do, he represented everything that a fan would want of their heroes: brave, ferociously competitive, humble, skilful and tough.

Rugby league players talk of one-percenters all the time, those little involvements that make the difference and Houghton had so many of them in black and white.

The one that stands out is his 'tackle 52' on Ben Currie in the 2016 Challenge Cup final against Warrington Wolves which all but put the cup in Hull's hands and ended their Wembley curse. It was a stunning piece of defensive technique and epitomised his all-or-nothing nature.

Perhaps the only regret from his career is the fact international honours were limited to a couple of England Knights appearances.

His 2016 Man of Steel award, all-round consistency and durability, and raft of top tackler awards stacked up against the nation's best in his position, but perhaps his work with the ball was less eye-catching than his peers, including Josh Hodgson in his spell with Canberra Raiders, St Helens legend James Roby, and current England hooker Daryl Clark.

I am sure there is comfort all the same in a magnificent career which has earned him earn living legend status in Hull, and the respect of the game of rugby league across the board.