Hull FC chairman Adam Pearson pays tribute to 'talismanic' Danny Houghton after career milestone

Adam Pearson has paid tribute to Hull FC hooker Danny Houghton after his 450th career appearance. The Black and Whites legend reached the milestone against Castleford Tigers last Friday night, with 447 of those games coming for his hometown club.

Houghton also played three times for England Knights back in 2011 and 2012, and currently sits fourth on the club's all-time appearance chart, with just Harold Bowman (451), Mick Scott (459) and Ned Rogers (499) sitting above him. Houghton overtook Tommy Harris (445) earlier this month.

Pearson, meanwhile, presented Houghton with his milestone shirt in the team run last Thursday, reminiscing on the cup wins, as well as some of Houghton's other career achievements. He also joked about his contract negotiations, with the hooker, who enjoyed a lucrative testimonial year back in 2018, representing himself.

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Speaking ahead of the shirt presentation, Pearson said: "Danny Houghton, 450 games, just three England Knights appearances in there, so he's done a lot for the club. It's an unbelievable achievement.

"Six times Hitman, Dream Team '16, Challenge Cup winner '16 and '17. He was absolutely talismanic for us in that period of time. He still looks the same now. He's still playing well and still leading from the front.

"He's a real legend of the club. I've done eight contract negotiations with him, he's never used an agent, and he's the wealthiest man in the room. Well done, Danny."

Houghton went on to say it's been a 'privilege' to represent Hull FC for so long. Now 35, he made his debut as a teenager against London way back in 2007 and is currently in his 18th season as a professional rugby league player.

"It's been a privilege to play so many times for this great club," Houghton added. "It's not about that, though, it's about trying to get this club back on track. We've been through it tough of late, but we're all in it together trying to get this club back on the trajectory that it deserves."

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