This weeks’ Hull FC Rugby League Icon, in association with Kinetic Laboratories, is 1970s star and Hall of Famer Keith Boxall – one of the club’s most prolific English back-rowers of all-time.
Keith may not have been a classic second-row built in the tall, long-legged body expected over the years, but he packed tremendous amounts of energy into his short, stocky frame, so much so that his charging breaks earned him the nickname of ‘Rhino’. He was a firm favourite of the Boulevard faithful.
Keith signed for Hull in 1968 from East Mount Youth Club and he made his first team debut at Dewsbury on 28 March 1970 in a 10-5 victory.
He played seven matches in the remainder of that season, but was a virtual ever-present over the remainder of the decade, with the exception of the 1973-74 season when he suffered injury in the opening match.
The first half of Keith’s career at The Boulevard coincided with probably the bleakest period in Hull’s history, but he always stood out with his blonde hair conspicuous when rampaging through defences as he did. The ‘Spirit of ’75’ saw Keith play his full part in the renaissance of Hull’s fortunes as he starred in the John Player Trophy campaign in 1975-76 which saw Hull become the first Second Division team to reach the final – he played a major role in Hull’s success and by now was a senior player in the ranks.
That run to the final saw Doncaster vanquished, then Leeds at Headingley after a draw at The Boulevard – a match seen as one of Brian Hancock’s finest.
St Helens came and were conquered by a massive forward defensive display in which Keith was to the fore.
Hull were then drawn at champions Salford and as was the norm, given little chance of success, but this would see possibly his finest hour, on 13 December 1975, when his outstanding contribution earned him two tries in the tremendous semi-final victory at Champions-to-be at The Willows.
There was no mistaking the blonde, stocky second rower bursting repeatedly through the Salford ranks as he helped himself to a brace of tries in a memorable 22-14 success.
He was also an ever-present when he played in all 37 games in the 1976-77 promotion campaign. He also played in 35 of the 38 fixtures in Division One in 1977-78, and was in the second-row when Hull secured the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy, beating Hull KR on 18th December 1979. However, his career was coming to a close when Hull embarked on their successful period of the 1980’s.
He was a prolific try-scorer and only narrowly failed to become only the fourth forward try-scoring centurion for Hull finishing on 98, behind Bob Taylor, Johnny Whiteley and Bill Drake. He was also a reliable goal-kicker when required and he landed some 209, taking his points tally to 712 in 320 club appearances.
Keith was one of a small number of players who transcended those two periods of success for the club, as being a loyal one club man, he played in the new era alongside Vince Farrar and Steve Norton, amongst others.
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