Hull RUFC began their pre-season training last Saturday at Bishop Burton. As well as returning favourites, and a few new faces, the appearance of one player will have brought the most joy. Mike Adlard missed the entire 2023/24 campaign with a serious knee injury, but the winger was back where he belongs, among friends on a rugby pitch. Adlard, who was named in the National League 1 Team of the Season two campaigns ago, is delighted to be back feeling the pain of pre-season training.
“It felt good. It’s been a long time coming,” Adlard said.
“Watching from the sidelines last season was tough but it was great to be back, first day of pre-season.
“Rehab was been pretty horrendous, but coming down to see the lads play each week, they picked me up every time.
“That’s the reason why you want to do your rehab.
“The past few months I’ve been really focusing on the pre-season.
“Now it’s about getting a good pre-season under my belt and get contact and I’ll be ready to go.
“It doesn’t matter how fit you are, rugby conditioning is different.
“I felt the lungs burning after the first session, but that was a great feeling.
“It’s great to be back, being pushed, and being around the boys again.
“We lift each other up and get on with the next one.”
So what are Adlard’s goal for the new season? There is one thing that stands out.
“I’m on 91 tries and reaching triple figure this year would be nice,” Adlard said.
“The long-term goal is to be the club’s all-time top try scorer.
“I need to get to 136 for that. I want my name nice and pretty at the top of that list.
“Firstly, I want to survive a full season. I want to drive the standards here.
“I’ll be looking at a senior role being a leader, having been here seven years now.
“Hopefully we can aim for top three this season and drive it through all the way.”
HULL RUGBY UNION FOOTBALL CLUB 