Pearson: Ellis signing shows intent

Hull owner Adam Pearson says the signing of Gareth Ellis is a mark of the club’s intent to be a leading Super League club.

The Airlie Birds beat off competition from virtually every Super League club to sign the former Wakefield and Leeds back-rower, who will leave Wests Tigers at the end of the current campaign.

Pearson, who took over in July last year, has re-invigorated the club, and they have lost just once on the pitch in 2012 under new head coach Peter Gentle and director of rugby Shaun McRae.

He told the club’s official website: “This signing shows we are true to our word that we want to take this club to the next level and challenge for honours consistently over the coming years.

“For far too long now, Hull FC have been languishing in the lower reaches and with a limit to their ambition and a failure to compete with the big sides. 

“Our intention is to have the club back in a position to do that again as soon as possible and the only way we can do that is by investing in the squad and signing players of Gareth’s calibre.”

Ellis adds to a Hull pack which already includes the likes of Andy Lynch, Danny Tickle and Willie Manu, and Pearson says the club needs to continue to strengthen its squad.

He added: “We need players of this ilk at the club, it is as simple as that. We will continue to invest until Peter is content with the squad he has to work with.”