Mick Crane...A query : Thu Sep 09, 2010 12:53 pm  

Watching the 1978 Challenge Cup final on BBC 4 and noticed Mick Crane was playing for Leeds but his player record on the Hull website states he was with us from 1970 - 1982, was he on loan to Leeds ?

Also Mick harrison who must have left Hull the year before this final and Kevin Dick who joined us in his twilight years 1986 -87.

On the match itself, how open was it, the scrums were a nonsense but the players were still very fit for that era as no quarter was given.

Today though Liptrotts first try from the " up and under " would have been ruled out by the video ref as he was well in front of the kicker.

And, finally Billy Thompson. Always a character and showman remember him having fun with the threepenny stand many a time.

I was actually there that day as a young 13 year old on a school trip - it certainly brings back the memories.

Re: Mick Crane...A query : Thu Sep 09, 2010 1:02 pm  

hullian wrote:

Watching the 1978 Challenge Cup final on BBC 4 and noticed Mick Crane was playing for Leeds but his player record on the Hull website states he was with us from 1970 - 1982, was he on loan to Leeds ?

No. he had a couple of years with Leeds before going to the dark side and then back to us for the 81/82 season.

Re: Mick Crane...A query : Thu Sep 09, 2010 3:00 pm  

Spot on Signed for Leeds Christmas time 1977 for £13,000 IIRC, which was a club record reciept for a player, went to the Dobbin's Nov. 79 for about £12,000, back to us early 81, in all played over 350 games for us! We listed him in 83 after he missed training at £25,000 but he stayed with us and retired in early 87. One of the best off the cuff players I have ever seen you never knew what he was going to do including whether he would turn up at all!

Re: Mick Crane...A query : Thu Sep 09, 2010 3:09 pm  

Im sure Mick retired in 84.IIRC when Len Casey was here he went round to Micks house and persuaded him to come and play for one more season.
Last time I spoke to him he was driving a digger for the council.Still backing 3 legged nags

Re: Mick Crane...A query : Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:49 pm  

Used to always get MOM at away games , if he had lost at cards on the wat there ! so he had money to loose on the way back !!! great player though !!

Re: Mick Crane...A query : Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:11 pm  

True legend. In my 40+ years of watching FC , Mick has given me the most pleasure and entertainment. Unusually for such a skilled , Best like , character he also put in a huge amount of work in defence. How he did it bearing in mind his , alleged , lifestyle defies logic and the modern day fitness theories.

Re: Mick Crane...A query : Thu Sep 09, 2010 9:16 pm  

In the early 70's I remember he played centre for us and he kicked a match winning drop goal against rovers at the proper craven park

Best compliment was knocker had to play 12 cos Crane was 13. A genius and set up Steve Evans for the only try GB scored against Aus in 82 at Headingley.

Re: Mick Crane...A query : Fri Sep 10, 2010 7:18 am  

painterman wrote:

Im sure Mick retired in 84.IIRC when Len Casey was here he went round to Micks house and persuaded him to come and play for one more season.
Last time I spoke to him he was driving a digger for the council.Still backing 3 legged nags

absolutely correct he went missing completely for the whole 85/86 season then made 14 appearances in the 86/87 season!

Re: Mick Crane...A query : Fri Sep 10, 2010 7:49 am  

Didn,t he sell his challenge cup medal to fund his gambling addiction or was that someone else whilst he was at hull?

Re: Mick Crane...A query : Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:45 am  

Last time I spoke to him he was driving a digger for the council.Still backing 3 legged nags

Doubt this very much as Mick can't drive and has never worked for the council!!!!