For those who attended Saturday’s 35-17 loss to Birmingham Moseley last weekend, you’ll have noticed that the team were led out proudly by Ali Heard. As co-captain, there’s nothing new to that, but the rest of the team stayed behind for a few moments as a mark of respect to their team-mate who was making his 201st appearance for the Chants Ave club. Ali is only the fourth player into that prestigious club and the first since James Ward did so James Ward in the 2010/11 season. Guy Martinson was the second player to reach the remarkable achievement during the 2009/10 campaign, after Leroy McKenzie was the first to bring up 200 games for Hull RUFC in the 2005/06 season.
It was an emotional day for Ali, who watched a montage of video messages from past and present team-mates, backroom staff and family. Ali, who made his debut for Hull RUFC against Preston Grasshoppers in November 2013, admits bringing up 200 games for the club was a special moment for him.
“It means an awful lot to manage to get to the 200 mark,” Ali said.
“And to be the just the fourth player to ever do it here at Hull it makes it even more special.
“Leading the team out alone on Saturday definitely added to the excitement.
“I never thought that I’d get to play that many times for the club.
“And it’s great being able to do it in such a competitive league as National League 1.”
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 