Sean Long had said that it would “kill him” to leave St Helens after 12 glory-laden seasons, but the 32-year-old former Great Britain scrum half believes that a move to Hull next season will “revitalise” his career. The East Yorkshire club came up yesterday with the two-year deal that St Helens were not prepared to offer a player described by Eamonn McManus, the chairman, as a club legend.
Long will face his future employers in Friday's engage Super League encounter at the KC Stadium, after a frenetic few days sealed his move from west to east - the length of the M62. Huddersfield Giants and Wakefield Wildcats are understood to have been in the running. What persuaded Long was the vision set out by Richard Agar, the Hull coach, once St Helens had made it clear that they were willing to offer him only a 12-month extension.
Although he will be looking to contribute to his sixth league title and fifth Carnegie Challenge Cup success with St Helens this year, Long said: “I'm really buzzing. A few clubs offered two-year deals, but when Hull made an approach, and after I'd spoken to Richard, I knew where my future was.”
Long's value to St Helens since signing from Widnes in 1997 has been priceless - he has scored 2,592 points in 320 appearances, making him the second-leading scorer in club history, behind Kel Coslett - but McManus remained adamant that he would not offer him more than a year-long extension.
“We fully respect Sean's decision,” McManus said. “He's secured a two-year deal on very good terms and we wish him well. We have a number of very exciting young players who next season will be commanding regular, first-choice selection and they must be given every opportunity in the club's long-term interests.”
Source:The times
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