Hull FC’s director of football Motu Tony believes that the controversial merger of Hull and Hull KR’s academy systems will help to produce true marquee player-calibre stars in the future.
It was announced yesterday that the two clubs will form a ‘Super Academy’ starting from next season – a move which has already drawn criticism from both sides of the city as the two clubs cast aside their fierce rivalry.
Yet Tony believes that with a merger in place, it gives the city of Hull the chance to produce some truly world class talent.
“I mean no disrespect to any of the current players from Hull on either side of the city, but between us we don’t have a player who could be considered a marquee player,” Tony told the Hull Daily Mail.
“Players like Sam Tomkins, James Roby, James Graham, star names to come through their club’s system, that’s what we want to produce.
“We feel merging the academies is our best chance to produce a Hull-born marquee player in the next few years.”
