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Mortonstalker catches up with some names from the past. Do you ever wonder what ex-Rovers stars are up to these days? Well we aim to find out with regular interviews with players who have retired or moved on to other clubs.
Paul played youth rugby with Hull Boys Club and then played for Rovers Colts from age 16. He represented Yorkshire and Great Britain at Colts level and signed for Rovers in 1985, staying with them for the whole of his playing career until he left in 1995.
Although Paul was known mainly as a loose forward, he did also play in the second row and even did a small stint on the wing in the Colts!!
While Paul gained representative honours with GB Colts he unfortunately never won any honours at first team level.
At 'A' team level Paul was part of a scuccessful team that won several trophies.
Hi Paul, thanks for doing this interview. It's nice to catch up, what are you up to these days?
Hi Tracey. I'm working at a gas site near Atwick (Hornsea) and running around after my two daughters, what with dancing, brownies, etc!
Still go to the gym a couple of times a week, can't get it out of my system (silly old sod!)I'm also trying to learn the guitar, when I have any spare time.
Do you still keep an eye on goings on down at Craven Park?
Always watch out for the results but haven't been down to watch for a number of years. I suppose you could say I'm a paper fan really, but I'd like to get down to a couple of games this season if poss.
What memories do you have of your time at Craven Park?
Enjoyed it all really, looking back, but I suppose being part of the Wembley '86 squad would have to be on of the highlights. Although I didn't play in the final, just to be involved in an occasion like that was great. Also the great team spirit we had with all the players was good to be involved with.
Testimonials are very rare these days with players moving around frequently, I seem to remember you had a joint one with Des Harrison. Any memories of that year? (I have one memory of you cutting your head open doing a wheelbarrow race with Chatty at a German night!!)
Yes that was a good one, but generally we just had a good time at every do we attended and were grateful for the support we received from friends and supporters.
The game has moved on somewhat since you retired, what are your views on Super League and the possibility of getting rid of promotion/relegation?
I don't watch a great deal of Super League but the little bit I do see doesn't impress me that much. I think teams have become obsessed with 'bulking' everyone up and the skill level doesn't seem to be as good. As for promotion/relegation I think it would be disappointing for the League 1 teams not to have a reason for winning the Grand Final.
Are you still in touch with any of your old team mates?
Not really, but I bump into one of two of them occasionally if I go to watch a local amateur game.
You played for Rovers during a very successful period in the 80's, who were the players that impressed you the most at that time?
I was lucky enough just to catch the latter end of Rovers successful period and there were a lot of good players, too many to mention really but George Fairbairn, Mark Broadhurst and Paul Harkin were three who always gave us younger players great encouragement on the pitch. Brian Neibling was a bit later than these three but he passed on his experience and was a great leader.
Who was the biggest influence on your career?
My dad Ray as he got me involved and pushed me as far as he could. He had a vast rugby knowledge and there was no chance of me not playing rugby!!
If you could do it all again, would you do anything differently?
No not really. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Rovers, all the ups and downs and the great laughs we had (especially with John Edson!)
Thanks for the interview Paul, all the very best for the future.
And to you Tracey and good luck with the website and to the team this year.
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