Rugby League Coaching Manuals

By Ian Laybourn, Sporting Life - Hull legend Lee Crooks has returned to the club he helped win every major honour during a glittering career through their glory years in the 1980s. Crooks, 45, who recently resigned as assistant coach with cross-city rivals Hull KR, returns to the Black and Whites after a 22-year absence as the club's head of youth.

"It is very difficult to express emotionally what this means to me," he said.

"It is 22 years since I left the club and there hasn't been a moment that I haven't thought of coming back.

"It has taken a long time but now it has happened and, although it is an old cliche, I really am 'over the moon to be back'."

Crooks made his debut for his home-town club at the age of 17 in 1980 and went on to score 947 points in his 220 appearances, comprising 400 goals and 44 tries.

The former Great Britain forward went on to play for Leeds and Castleford, for whom he scored 1,265 points in 222 appearances, and after brief coaching stints with Keighley and York, spent eight years with the Rugby Football League as national talent identification manager.

Hull chief executive James Rule said: "This is hugely exciting for Hull FC. I don't think you could find anybody better suited for this role. I am confident that Lee's knowledge and passion will help take our youth programme to the next level."