Written by Callum Walker
Photo by Gordon Clayton
Cut Danny Washbrook in half and you would see black and white running through his veins.
Being a Hull lad, brought up on the West side of the river, it was always going to be the Airlie Birds for the utility forward and he could not have been prouder of walking out in the FC shirt.
“It was always a pleasure representing my hometown club,” Washbrook told Everything Rugby League.
“Growing up in Hull, rugby is a part of life, so to be able to do it as a job was a dream come true.”
Beginning and ending his Super League career with Hull, the 35-year-old was part of the side that won the Challenge Cup in consecutive seasons, something which Washbrook hailed “an unreal experience”.
“For so long, the club had suffered from the Wembley hoodoo and the song that came with it, but we broke it in 2016.
“Then to repeat it in 2017 was another special moment. Back-to-back winners for the first time in the club’s history and I was a part of it.”
Sometimes a curse rather than a blessing, Washbrook has made a name for himself as a utility star and even he struggles to name his best position.
“It’s a tough one really, I would probably say loose-forward, but I’ve also really enjoyed playing back-row at both Wakefield and Hull.
“Even when I was younger and quicker, I also enjoyed some good spells at half-back.”
For now, the Yorkshireman has swapped Hull for York, joining the City Knights as they look to compete for that elusive Super League promotion spot. In fact, it was what should have been an informal chat with York chairman Jon Flatman that led to Washbrook’s signing.
“I ended up signing for York after a conversation with Jon Flatman. I’d decided to take a job in education in recruitment and Jon’s wife is involved with school, so I was tapping up him for some inside information!
“But, as the conversation was ending, he just asked me if I had decided what I was doing rugby wise.
“And, it went from there; I spoke to Ben Cockayne and Graeme Horne about their time at York and they both spoke highly of Fordy (head coach James Ford) and the club so it became an easy choice.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully getting a proper season with them in 2021.”
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