Hull FC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary former player Mick Crane.
A Hall of Fame member, Crane is widely regarded as one of the greatest British forwards to ever pull on the Black & White jersey, and was a firm favourite of the Boulevard faithful in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Hull born star was one of the stand-out players in the iconic era of success for the Black & Whites, making a phenomenal 358 appearances across two spells at the club, and scoring 98 tries.
One of only 19 players in club history to surpass 350 appearances, Crane, who was a loose-forward by trade, was equally capable of operating at second-row and centre, such were his skill and capabilities with ball in hand.
Crane originally joined Hull FC in 1970, spending some eight seasons at the club; in his initial spell, Crane was a regular feature in the side and undoubtedly one of the stand-out players in what was a challenging decade for the club, scoring twice in the 1975-76 John Player Trophy Final defeat to Widnes.
He would leave the club for spells with rivals Leeds in 1977, for a record fee at the time, and the Hull KR in 1979 – Crane was a Challenge Cup winner with the West Yorkshire outfit in 1978 with their Wembley victory over St Helens, and a League Championship winner with the Robins in 1981.
But silverware would also come in his second spell at the Airlie Birds when the Great Britain international rejoined his boyhood side in 1981, where he would spend another seven seasons and write his name into the history books as a member of the iconic team of the era that claimed numerous trophies, under the stewardship of coach Arthur Bunting.
Crane started at second-row in the 1982 Challenge Cup Final clash against Widnes at Wembley, before coming off the bench in the iconic replay victory three weeks later at Elland Road – one of the finest nights in club history. He also claimed a John Player Trophy winners medal with the final victor against the Robins that season.
As well as being a key cog in the side that won the 1983 Rugby League Championship title, making some 40 appearances throughout the season, Crane claimed winners medals in the 1982/83 Yorkshire Cup Final win over Bradford Northern, and once again in the same tournament against Castleford a year later in 1983/84, with a Man of the Match award to add to his collection in the latter after scoring a try and kicking a drop-goal.
On his Great Britain debut against the Australian ‘Invincibles’ in 1982, another Man of the Match performance came – going up against the legendary Ray Price, several of the Aussie team opined that he was the best footballer they had played against on the tour.
In total, Crane made a staggering 428 appearances, including 51 for Leeds and 18 for Hull KR.
Crane, much like many of his teammates from the successful side of the 1980s, he was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Gary Kemble, James Leuluai, and Peter Sterling, as well as fellow forwards Lee Crooks and Trevor Skerrett.
Mick sadly passed away on Saturday morning.
A legendary character amongst teammates and supporters, Crane will be greatly missed by all those who knew, loved, and supported him.
The thoughts of everyone at Hull FC are with Mick’s family and friends at this difficult time.
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