On this day 15 years ago, the Black & Whites enjoyed one of their greatest days in club history, defying the odds to defeated heavy-favourites Leeds Rhinos in the 2005 Challenge Cup Final in Cardiff.
Hull’s 25-24 win at the Millennium Stadium is regarded as one of the most thrilling cup finals of all-time, with Paul Cooke’s late winning try going down in Black & White folklaw.
We caught up with former head coach John Kear, who masterminded Hull’s win, as well as captain inspirational captain Richard Swain and first-team stars Ewan Dowes and Richard Whiting to recall their memories of that famous afternoon in South Wales…
Richard Swain
“Winning the Challenge Cup in 2005 was massive and getting to the Super League Grand Final was an awesome effort in the following year. I had a fantastic four years over in Hull and I couldn’t be prouder.
“I always remember the final and how much it meant to the whole camp in general, but especially to the Hull boys in the squad,
“Out of my entire career, it’s the match that I remember best of all and going into the game, I felt a pressure on me to perform and not let the club down.
“It was something I remember speaking to Stephen Kearney about before the cup final. We both wanted to put in a big performance and live up to what was expected of us.”
John Kear
“Personally, it was one of the best days of my life and the days that followed were almost as good – seeing a sea of Black & White back in Hull when we celebrated at the Civic Hall was unbelievable.
“As much as I enjoyed winning the Cup whilst in charge of Sheffield Eagles, winning it with Hull was far better because you could see how much it meant to the people of Hull.
“Previous records go out of the window when it comes down to the Challenge Cup.
“When we beat Leeds in the 2005 final, we hadn’t beaten them in our past ten attempts, so that tells you everything.”
Ewan Dowes
“John Kear was brilliant for us. He was a motivator and knew how to get the team up for those big games, including that 2005 Cup Final. We might not have achieved what we wanted in the league that year, but we had targetted the cup that year and John’s experience with Sheffield in 1998 really helped us. You only have to look at the teams we beat on the way to the final to see how impressive a run it was.
“That performance against St Helens in the semi-final is right up there with the best performances I’ve ever been involved with. I watched it back in full for the first time a few months ago and you just have to look at our aggression and line speed to see how much we wanted it. Nobody would have beaten us that day.
“But there is no doubt that the 2005 Challenge Cup Final is one of the best day of my life. Whenever I see clips of the game, it still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. To beat anyone in a final is special but to do it against your old team is extra special. I feel lucky to have been involved in that side.
“The open top bus parade we did from Costello Stadium down to Queen Victoria Square was just nuts. The streets were absolutely packed and you could really see how much this meant to the people of the city. To finally have won some silverware was an incredible feeling.”
Richard Whiting
“I’ve been asked a few times about my memories of the day in 2005, but the truth is the memories of during the game are very sparse. Obviously there’s the ones you’d expect, the jubilation after scoring the easiest try in cup final history, and getting a fly in the eye whilst celebrating in front of the Leeds fans! And I don’t think anyone will ever forget the scenes at the final whistle either, but it’s the memories of things that happened pre and post game that I remember the most vividly.
“These are probably the ones that not many of the fans will know about, the little things that all helped to create such a wonderful occasion. For instance, I bet we’re the only team in recent history to get a telling off from the security staff at the Millennium Stadium for playing cricket on the centre spot during our walk around the day before the final. Then again cricket played a big part of a few boys preparation, it seemed that every minute of spare time in the hotel someone was playing cricket in the corridor, including both Jim and Chris, our kit men.
“I think it’s fair to say that after our final meeting we all believed that we were going to win the cup. I won’t divulge exactly what got said but the words that Stephen Kearney spoke left every player walking out of our meeting room with a lump in our throats and a few with rather red eyes too! Our motivation to succeed was given another little lift as we waited in the tunnel to enter the field as some of the Leeds players were whooping and carrying on as if they’d already got their hands on the trophy, which made it that little bit sweeter when certain members of their team were in tears afterwards.
“The best personal memory for me though definitely happened after the game. After celebrating and getting ready I found myself leaving the changing rooms with our Assistant Coach, and fellow Featherstone lad, Rich Agar. We struggled our way through the corridors to find our way to the reception room to meet our families. As we approached the glass doors Rich’s little boy ran out to him and wanted him to pick him up. So Rich handed me what he’d been carrying the whole way up from the changing rooms, the trophy! He held the door open for me and as I walked through the doors what felt like the biggest cheer and round of applause erupted at the arrival of the trophy. Thinking back now I feel like I cheated one of the real heroes of that day, Swainy, Broughy, or Cookie, or to be fair anyone else that played that day, of that one special memory but I’m so glad to Rich’s little boy James for giving me the chance to be the one who has that memory.
“There’s a few funny ones from the open top bus ride and Civic Reception at City Hall but I think the people involved would definitely prefer them to stay quiet! The overriding memory of that day was the unbelievable reception that we received on our way from Costello Stadium to the City Centre and the sea of Black and White when we stepped out on to the balcony of City Hall.
“I’ll never forget that day for the rest of my life, the atmosphere, the celebrations inside the stadium and back in Hull the day after, and I’ll always cherish my winners medal and playing shirt.”
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