A well known beggar in Hull died while sharing drugs with a friend.

The two men, Michael Foster and Garry Halliday, decided to share some heroin and took it at Mr Foster's flat in west Hull.

But Mr Halliday, 49, collapsed about 40 seconds after injecting himself, and died on Mr Foster's kitchen floor.

Mr Halliday was well known around west Hull and the Avenues area. An inquest into Mr Halliday's death, held yesterday, found he may have had a lower tolerance to the heroin after a spell in prison.

This would explain why Mr Foster suffered no ill effects from the heroin, which had been equally shared between the two men.

Coroner Professor Paul Marks said: "Mr Halliday had abused drugs and alcohol since his late teenage years, had mental health issues and had previously been detained under the mental health act.

"On the last evening of his life, he was begging on the street when he saw his friend and they decided to share some heroin, which they then obtained from a nearby residence.

"He collapsed soon after and Mr Foster and his girlfriend Claire May called an ambulance.

"Two equal volumes of heroin were prepared, but Mr Halliday had not been taking it regularly since being released from prison.

"This could explain why he passed away and his associate, who was more tolerant of narcotics, survived."

Mr Halliday, who died on May 30, was a prolific beggar in the west Hull area and was given an Asbo to stop him.

A post-mortem examination found he had high levels of alcohol and morphine, a sign of heroin use, in his system.

But although Mr Halliday was a known beggar and was often homeless, his family said he was an intelligent man who cared a great deal.

In a court statement, his sister Deborah Latham said: "I feel (his previous history) has painted a very dark picture of Garry.

"But when he was not intoxicated he was kind and gentle and was very religious. At his funeral, various pastors came who knew him.

"Despite the choices he made and the lifestyle he led, I have come to realise he was a very rich man.

"He was rich with people in his life that cared for him.

"My brother was one in a million with a heart of gold, who always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. This is how I will always remember him."

EAST Riding Council has signed a £14m deal to bring superfast broadband to more than 42,000 homes across the area.

The multi-million-pound project, entitled Broadband East Riding, has seen the council and BT join forces to extend high-speed broadband to households and businesses across East Yorkshire in the next three years.

John Skidmore, interim director of corporate strategy and commissioning at East Riding Council, said: "Having access to the internet is an important aspect of modern life, with many of us using it on a daily basis, whether that is personally, such as keeping in contact with family and friends through social networks, or commercially.

"The council is committed to improving broadband infrastructure in the East Riding to ensure that we do all we can to support businesses, residents and visitors to the area to have access to broadband provision, especially given our largely rural locality, and hope to deliver this over the coming years through the contract with BT."

The council and BT are in talks to discuss which towns in the region will benefit from the scheme, but it is thought Bridlington and Driffield will be the main areas targeted.

As well as making high-speed fibre more widely available, the partnership will ensure everyone will be able to enjoy broadband speeds of more than 2Mbps.

A further aim is to provide a high-speed broadband network to an additional 42,734 premises in the area by December 2015.

BT's managing director for Next Generation Access, Bill Murphy, believes the investment is vital for businesses in the region.

He said: "Faster broadband breaks down the barriers to doing business in the digital world like online trading, which helps to empower small businesses to find new markets, sell new products, try new models and compete on an equal footing with larger businesses."

For businesses, the fibre network will underpin the introduction of many new services and applications. Big business applications driven by new "cloud" services will be within the reach of enterprises of all sizes. Computer back-up, storage and processing will be faster, and the use of high-quality videoconferencing will become a viable possibility.

Further benefits of faster broadband include users being able to use multiple bandwidth-hungry applications at the same time, and send and receive large amounts of data much more quickly and efficiently.

This will make things like gaming, watching BBC i-Player or downloading films and music much quicker and without the annoying "buffering" or screen freeze.

The £14m cost of the investment has been shared between BT, Broadband Delivery UK, the European Regional Development Fund and East Riding Council, which has supplied £500,000.

BT will announce the scheme's installation schedule in the coming months.

The first communities across the East Riding can look forward to improved access to online services and better connectivity for businesses from next summer onwards.

YORKSHIRE MEP Godfrey Bloom has announced he is leaving UKIP after a series of gaffes at the party's annual conference.
He branded a group of female activists as "****s" at a Women in Politics talk during the London meeting.
Mr Bloom's comments were met with laughter in the crowd and he later said he was using the word as originally intended, to mean dirty or slovenly.
He was filmed the same day hitting Channel 4 News reporter Michael Crick over the head with a UKIP leaflet.
Mr Bloom called him a "racist" when the journalist asked why there were only white faces on a party flier.
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said Mr Bloom's behaviour had "gone beyond the pale" and overshadowed his keynote speech.
Mr Bloom's whip was withdrawn and Mr Farage accused him of "destroying" the conference.
In a statement issued through his press officer this morning, Mr Bloom said he would sit out the rest of his European Parliament term as an independent.
He said: "I have felt for some time now the 'new UKIP' is not really right for me anymore.
"However, our message is clear. Self-government. Our wonderful and loyal membership will win through with their dedication and hard work. It has been a pleasure to work with them for 15 years.
"May I take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to the thousands of people who have supported me with messages of good will.
"I shall sit out my term as an independent. I shall of course retain my membership."
Mr Bloom pledged support for Jane Collins, who he believes is likely to replace him as UKIP's candidate in the next European elections.

YOUNG rugby players have been left heartbroken after a break-in at their clubhouse. Thieves stole money for a presentation evening due to be held this week for Hull Dockers younger teams.

The evening has had to be postponed while the club tries to raise the cash needed for well-earned trophies. It is thought about £500 was stolen from the safe at the club in Shelley Avenue, east Hull, in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Gary Skelton, coach of the under-tens, said: "We help run the centre so the rugby can run from there and we do a fair bit of maintenance. We all muck in and work to raise money and it is a bit of an insult that someone would want to steal from the community that is doing something for the children.

"It is a kick in the teeth as a lot of us work really hard in there as well as having full-time jobs.We put our time in and this is an insult."

As well as the cash which was stolen, thieves smashed three memorial trophies that are handed out each year.

They are in honour of Ron Thacker, whose dream was to build a clubhouse for the community.

He set the wheels in motion for the clubhouse in 1998, but died the following year from cancer before it was built.

His son Stuart, whose grandsons play for the club, says he is upset the trophies, which are irreplaceable, have been smashed.

He said: "Dad strived to get the clubhouse built. It was always his dream. Unfortunately, he died and never got to see it built."

Ron's widow Joan dug the first piece of turf for the building on July 9, 2004, and the clubhouse and community centre was opened a short time later.

Mr Thacker said: "Whoever did this has forced the shutters up and taken the safe.

"They have taken all the money for the presentation and people are having to club round now.

"It gets me that they have smashed the memorial trophies, as you can't really replace those. I am particularly annoyed as the last thing he ever did was to have this built.

"Whoever has done this doesn't realise the damage it is doing to the kids.

"It's not just that, though, some of the money was for bills for the club."

A 27-year-old man was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of burglary and released on police bail pending further enquires.

Anyone with information about the theft should call Humberside Police on 101, quoting log 161, of September 22.

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BUSINESS leaders and MPs have paid tribute to "the man who has been instrumental" in plans to bring wind energy giant Siemens to Hull.

Matt Jukes, formerly port director for Hull and Goole at Associated British Ports (ABP), has now left his post with the organisation.

The Mail understands he was made redundant as a result of ABP merging the two port director posts for the north and south banks of the Humber.

The new organisation, which will bring all ABP's four Humber ports under one umbrella, will be led by John Fitzgerald, currently ABP port director Grimsby and Immingham.

Mr Jukes said he was "shocked and stunned" by the decision, which brings to an end a career spanning almost two decades with the company, however he said ABP remained a "great business".

He said: "It's a big blow and coming away from the docks will be a major change in my life. The ports in Hull and Goole in particular are, for me, the heart of the city and also the heart of me."

Mr Jukes has been at the forefront of discussions to transform Alexandra Dock into Green Port Hull, and has worked closely with Hull City Council, MPs and others stakeholders to attract wind energy giant Siemens to build a £230m turbine factory on the site.

He said: "I always felt Green Port was a different kind of project; for me it wasn't just a port project but one which is integral to this region, so to get this close and then leave is almost unbearable. But now I have to go and find the next part of my career."

Mr Jukes said he would "love to stay local" and thanked everyone who has worked with him and supported him in his roles.

He said: "It is a great shame as I would have Green Port get to the final line. I leave with great sadness that I won't be part of that process, however I wish John Fitzgerald every success in his new role. Green Port is a great project in a great city at a great port and I am gutted, but while this is a life-changing event people do go through worse."

ABP's former chief executive Peter Jones said Mr Jukes "almost single handedly created the Green Port Hull project".

He said: "During my years at ABP he was an absolutely essential part of the team.

"I am deeply saddened by the news and think it is a great loss to the company."

Mr Jukes joined ABP in Hull in 1994 as a hydrographic surveyor.

Between 1996 and 2000 he enjoyed a stint in operations at Grimsby and Immingham, before returning to Hull as ABP's marketing manager. He then progressed to operations manager for Hull and Goole, and then deputy port manager in 2003.

In 2005 he became port director for ABP's Short Sea Ports (smaller ports), covering ports up and down the country, from Ayr to Plymouth, before progressing to port director for Hull and Goole in 2008.

Alan Johnson, MP for Hull West and Hessle, described him as "a fine port director and a great advocate for Green Port".

He said: "I've said before that if the Siemens deal materialises, lots of people will be seeking the credit but few will deserve it more than Matt Jukes. I hope he remains in Hull and uses his considerable talents where they will be better appreciated."

Karl Turner, MP for Hull East, said he wished to "pay tribute to Matt for the amazing efforts" he has shown to achieve what has been done at Alexandra Dock.

Mr Turner, who has worked closely with the former port director since his election in 2010, said: "Matt has led the Green Port project and has been instrumental in getting it to this stage.

"We are nearly there and are very close to a decision in terms of Siemens coming here. I'm confident he has been the one that will have delivered that once it comes off."

Mr Turner said he accepted businesses "have to make difficult decisions" but said he was "disappointed ABP have taken this one now".

"It is disappointing if Matt is a casualty of efficiency savings at ABP," he said.

Lord Haskins, chairman of Humber LEP, said Mr Jukes' work "should see the transformation of the port which is a great legacy".

He said: "He will be missed and I am sure everyone who has worked with him is intrigued as to where he will take his considerable business experience next."

Speaking about Mr Jukes departure, ABP said it would be "inappropriate" to discuss matters relating to independent members of staff, however chief executive James Cooper said: "Matt has made a significant contribution to ABP, most recently in his dogged pursuit of the Green Port Hull project, which, when it is delivered, will transform the port. We wish him well for the future."

BURGLARS have been targeting homes in east Hull because people have left their doors and windows unlocked. Police saw a rise in house, shed and garage burglaries during the summer.

Thieves were taking advantage of people leaving their doors and windows open or unlocked during warm weather.

Inspector Pete Ogden, who heads up the East and Park neighbourhood policing team, said: "There always tends to be an increase in burglaries when the weather improves because more people leave their homes insecure.

"Criminals like an easy target and if people make it tempting for them, they will take that opportunity.

"We did see a rise in burglaries across the East and Park area but, hopefully, it was just a blip as it has levelled off now. If people take responsibility for keeping their properties secure, they will reduce their chance of becoming a victim.

"People need to make it as hard as possible."

Insp Ogden said burglars will often enter houses through unlocked front doors or open windows while residents are in their gardens.

Although temperatures have dropped, police are still urging people to ensure they secure their property.

Officers from the neighbourhood teams have been out patrolling the streets checking houses for the signs a burglar would look for.

Insp Ogden said: "They have been actively patrolling the streets looking for insecurities and alerting householders, either by speaking to them or putting notices through the door."

Thieves are also targeting sheds and garages, often to steal high-value bikes or tools.

Police advise householders secure valuable items inside their shed or garage, as well as ensuring the building is locked.

They also recommend people have their property marked by police and register it on the online database Immobilise, which is checked by police when they recover stolen property.

Insp Ogden said: "People have got to take responsibility and not give criminals that easy option. If people do have their house burgled, it can be very hard to come to terms with.

"The feeling that somebody has been in your house is devastating, as well as then dealing with the financial impact of losing your belongings.

"If a house has been left unlocked or insecure, insurance companies may not pay out to replace any goods that have been lost, which causes extra problems.

"When sheds and garages are burgled, it is often high-value items that are stolen and there is a lot of inconvenience involved in replacing them. If a bike is stolen, it's often someone's only mode of transport, so it causes a lot of disruption to them. We have had a lot of bikes that have been stolen and we don't know where they are being disposed of. We don't get information from the public about that, which is what we need."

Insp Ogden said information from local residents is also crucial in halting burglary and catching criminals.

"We know that criminals tend to operate in the area they live in and that people will know who is responsible for these crimes," said Insp Ogden.

Last month, the independent charity Crimestoppers launched a campaign to encourage people to report crime anonymously.

East Hull is the first area in the city to be part of the One Voice campaign, which aims to get more people to come forward with often vital information about crime.

Insp Ogden said: "If people don't feel comfortable talking to the police, they can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously. We just need that information."

To contact your local neighbourhood policing team, call Humberside Police on 101. To report crime anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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A "GANGSTER" insists he did not hire a hitman to murder his lover's husband. Darren Wilson told Hull Crown Court hitman Mikail Ward was a "lunatic" and a "clown" for suggesting he had hired him to kill someone.

Mr Wilson and his lover Lisa Fairpo are on trial accused of plotting to murder her husband Andrew Burr by paying Mr Ward £10,000 to kill him.

It is alleged Mrs Fairpo and Mr Wilson were conspiring to murder Mr Burr to get a £750,000 life insurance payout.

In his defence, Mr Wilson told the jury he did not ask Mr Ward to kill someone for him.

"He said to me 'I will kneecap someone and I will kill someone'. I just thought he was a clown. I was not impressed.

"He said 'if you want anyone killing I will do it for £10,000 for you'. I just thought he was a lunatic.

"He said he had shot people and was a mercenary.

"He was always on about killing people for money."

Another mistress of Mr Wilson's, Pauline Jackson, said he told her he was having someone killed for £10,000 and he was to get £30,000 of insurance money.

Mr Wilson told the court: "Mickey (Ward) was hanging about as he was always being a pest. When I saw Pauline I told her what he had said as I was upset by it all.

"It was him talking."

The court had heard Mrs Fairpo believed Mr Wilson was himself a hitman.

He said: "I didn't actually use the word hitman, I just said I sorted people out. I played up to a bad boy image to Lisa and Pauline."

In cross-examination, Mrs Fairpo's solicitor Judith Seaborne put it to him: "You gave them the impression you were a hard man with a dark past."

Mr Wilson, who has admitted he is a loan shark, replied: "I was pertaining to the job I was doing. If I didn't come across like that people wouldn't pay the money back."

He told the court he had only had sex with Mrs Fairpo once and had been in love with Mrs Jackson.

It is also alleged Mr Wilson conspired to commit arson by arranging for a property in Grove Street, west Hull, to be petrol bombed in order to scare the tenants away so he could use it to grow cannabis.

He told the jury that he knew nothing of a plot to bomb it and claimed Mr Ward had done it.

Mr Wilson said: "Mr Ward told me (about it). I didn't even know where Grove Street was.

"If you burn it down there is not much way you can grow anything in it.

"I told him there were children in there and he said 'you cannot make omelettes without breaking eggs'. He seemed to have no remorse whatsoever.

"I was not involved in fire bombing it at all."

Mrs Faipo, of Northside Road, Hollym, and Mr Wilson, of Appin Close, Bransholme, deny conspiracy to murder.

Mr Wilson also denies conspiracy to commit arson.

The trial continues.

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FORMER city council chief executive Nicola Yates received a £242,677 compensation pay-off by the authority after leaving her job last year.

The council's newly published annual statement of accounts for the 2012-13 financial year reveal Mr Yates received a sum of £242,677 as "compensation for loss of office."

At the time, the council refused to explain the circumstances behind her sudden departure from the Guildhall. It also declined to comment any compensation deal struck between the two parties.

In a statement this week, the council said: "The individual concerned is no longer an employee of Hull City Council and it is therefore not appropriate to comment on this matter."

The figure is part of an overall remuneration figure of £299,367 paid by the council to Ms Yates during the year. The total includes pension contributions of £11, 772.

At the time, council sources suggested her sudden exit was triggered by a breakdown in working relations with the ruling Labour administration, which had regained political control of the authority.

Labour councillors have subsequently refused to make any public comment about her departure.

However, Councillor Mike Ross, deputy leader of the main opposition Liberal Democrat group, said the episode had been a costly one for the authority at a time when it was looking to make savings across its range of services.

"This shows what happens when Labour is in charge of the council. It's happened before and it happened again here.

"Making these sort of decisions ultimately costs a lot of money and it's always the taxpayer who ends up footing the bill."

Ms Yates was on an salary of £160,000 at the time of her exit from Hull.

She had been at the helm for almost three years, having succeeded former chief executive Kim Ryley.

Before she took on the job, councillors reduced the post's salary by about £40,000 after previous criticism of the size of Mr Ryley's pay packet.

Ms Yates was recently appointed to a similar position at Bristol City Council on a £160,000-a-year salary.

The accounts show her interim successor in Hull, former chief executive Darryl Stephenson, was paid a total of £40,71 for six months' work at the authority last year.

Mr Stephenson took up a temporary role last September and in December agreed to take on the post on a part-time basis, working 22.2 hours a week.

His total remuneration figure also includes pension contributions.

City council leader Councillor Steve Brady said Mr Stephenson's part-time role and a 33 per cent reduction in senior manager posts at the authority over the past year had resulted in significant savings.

He said the search for a permanent successor to Ms Yates was still on, saying: "I want to get the best person for Hull."

AS first head coaching positions go, there can be few harder in Super League than taking over the hotseat at Hull FC. A club that demands success, whether that be from its ambitious owner or a passionate fan base who have seen one new dawn too many, the position has the power to make or break.

For Lee Radford, the task ahead is substantial and yet, having accepted the offer to step into the role, the homegrown star knows better than anyone the responsibility that now falls on his shoulders. Radford, 34, understands the club, the pressures and the expectation it comes with.

And after a year in which Hull have fallen foul of their own hype, he is someone who will take the task head on with a sense of realism regarding what can be achieved in the short term.

Owner Adam Pearson has no doubt cast an eye over the four remaining contenders for the Grand Final in making the appointment, as three are coached by hardened Englishmen.

In Paul Anderson at Huddersfield and Shaun Wane at Wigan, you have two coaches recently promoted from assistants who have gone on to be huge successes.

At Wigan, Wane is assisted by Iestyn Harris, Paul Deacon, Steve Hampson and Kris Radlinski.

It's easy to see the similarities in Pearson's approach with Radford at the helm, Andy Last as his assistant, and Paul Cooke offering arms-length support as coach of new dual-register partners Doncaster.

Whether it be the Wigan or Huddersfield model, Pearson has a new vision for Hull and, given it centres around making the most of talent in the city, he is confident Radford is the man best suited.

Coming from the same school of hard knocks as Leeds coach Brian McDermott and Anderson, as former team-mates in the same dominant Bradford Bulls pack, Radford is cut from the same cloth.

While more approachable and affable than McDermott, his good nature comes with a fearsome bite, and he will rule in a no-nonsense style.

Don't expect Radford to hold back in the wake of any disappointing performances. Beaten at London a few years ago the then Hull captain called his team-mates a bunch of amateurs in an interview, and he's never been one to hold back when he has a point to make.

It's an approach that has typified his playing style and, while he may have to be more tactful as a head coach, that same philosophy could prove to be a wake-up call for many Hull players.

Peter Gentle may have lost his position due to Pearson feeling the club wasn't progressing on the field, but a large part of that responsibility also has to fall on the shoulders of the players.

Their attitude – woeful at Huddersfield – has to be addressed, and attitude is one thing Radford brings in abundance.

The emphasis will be on discipline and while a former team-mate of the men he will now manage, they'll quickly find that stands for nothing with him on the other side of the fence.

This is Radford's big chance and there will be no favours given in a pursuit to be a success. It's understood his appointment has the backing of the squad on the whole and having that respect is key. Keeping it is even more vital.

From the moment he takes over, the man who cut his teeth in a hugely-successful career as an amateur coach at East Hull, knows he has to win over the Hull fans too.

As a player Radford divided opinion and he was never shown the sort of fondness given to other local boys such as Kirk Yeaman and Richard Horne.

There are still some who hold something against him for leaving Hull for Bradford in 1998, despite the fact that he left a club not paying his wages and in the early stages of a major crisis financially.

It was a move that was his making as a player and, Jon Wilkin aside, he has achieved more than anyone else to come out of the city in the last 10 years in terms of trophy success.

Of course, playing success has no guarantees of coaching ability and without any Super League experience, Radford knows he has to win over the Hull fans once again.

His coaching ability is recognised, however, by those in power at Hull. Having been in sole charge of Hull's defence this season, following the departure of Andy Hay, the Black and Whites owe Radford a debt for an area of their game which continually came to their rescue.

When it comes to formulating the attack, it could be argued a former back-row forward isn't best placed, but under Anderson, Huddersfield scored more points than any side this season and Leeds are always exciting to watch under McDermott.

It's the personnel around Radford that will be key to striking that balance and with the likes of Last and Cooke to talk to and call upon, he has the right men.

Outspoken, passionate and determined, Radford will also bring a sense of realism.

All the talk of top-four targets will be banned. That's not to say Radford won't have ambitious targets, but inheriting a squad that needs to make significant improvements, he will steer clear of adding any greater pressure on his shoulders.

Developing a collective unity among the playing staff will be the number one priority, while hoping that unity eventually spreads to the fans.

To be a success Hull need everyone pulling in the same direction. They've found a new leader, a character as strong as they come. Now it's time for strong words inside the dressing room and strong performances on the field.

• LIVE: Hull FC press conference with Adam Pearson and Lee Radford

STEVE Bruce admits Nick Proschwitz is working his way into Premier League contention after booking Hull City's place in the League Cup fourth round for the first time in 36 years. Proschwitz pounced on the hour mark with a resounding finish as the Tigers beat Huddersfield Town 1-0 in a tight third round encounter.

After recently scoring five goals in two games for the reserves, last summer's £2.6m signing opened his first-team account for the season with another reminder of his predatory instinct.

Patience will still be needed before he is rewarded with a Premier League debut, but Bruce was pleased to see Proschwitz up and running after pledging to fight for his chance.

"The one thing the kid can do is score a goal. When the opportunity arises, you expect him to score," said Bruce.

"That part of the game is so easy for him. It's the other part (his physical game) that has to improve. We'll work on that. Certainly he's better than he was 12 months ago but he still has to adapt.

"He's part of a 25-man squad. I wanted him to go out somewhere but he didn't go. The more he plays and the more he scores, then good for him."

Proschwitz's strike sent City into the last 16 in tonight's draw. It is the Tigers' best run in the competition since 1977-78, but Bruce said: "I'll continue to make changes because I'm not going to be sidetracked to get a cup run.

"They're very nice but my priority is to keep this club in the Premier League. People ask me why we change the team but we've lost key players recently. Add one or two more to that and we're in trouble. We haven't got that strength in depth."

Bruce confirmed James Chester faces up to eight weeks on the sidelines with his hamstring injury but Maynor Figueroa is expected back to face West Ham United on Saturday.

Hull FC are to unveil their blueprint for the future today which will see three homegrown talents take control of playing matters. As first revealed by the Mail last week, Lee Radford will make the step up from his role as an assistant to replace Peter Gentle, whose departure was finally confirmed by the club yesterday.

• UPDATE: Hull FC confirm Lee Radford is new head coach as Adam Pearson places focus on youth

Joining Radford in a new-look coaching team will be former head of academy Andy Last in the role of assistant. Long-serving Richard Horne is also to be handed a prominent role in the club's development, as he becomes coach of Hull's scholarship players, combining it with his playing duties.

The club will also forge a dual-registration partnership with Championship club Doncaster, a move which will see former player Paul Cooke, now coach of The Dons, play a key role in the development of FC stars loaned to his side.

The changes, which also include further new positions to the backroom staff as well as Motu Tony's role as director of football, were to be confirmed at a KC Stadium press conference.

Last previously held the position of assistant during Richard Agar's tenure in charge, before moving to run the club's academy at Bishop Burton on Gentle's arrival.

Having come through the club's junior ranks himself, Horne will be tasked with guiding the club's stars of the future to follow his path to the top.

Although not taking on an official role with FC, Cooke will work closely with Radford to ensure Doncaster utilise the same systems and calls as Hull to make it easier for the Black and Whites' players to make the transition from club to club.

Radford is eager to utilise Cooke's creative talents, with the former Hull and Hull KR player expected to work with Hull's fringe players, with an emphasis on nurturing the likes of hooker James Cunningham and young half-back pair Harry Tyson-Wilson and Reece Dean.

• LIVE: Hull FC press conference with Adam Pearson and Lee Radford

• Proschwitz progress pleases Bruce

• Hull FC confirm Lee Radford is new head coach as Adam Pearson places focus on youth

• Lee Radford, Hull FC's coach from the school of hard knocks, will command respect

• LIVE: Hull FC press conference with Adam Pearson and Lee Radford