His name has been added to a list of potential new street names
Johnny Whiteley, is considered to have been one of the best rugby league players to have come from Hull.(Image: )
A rugby fan is campaigning to get a Hull road named after Hull FC legend Johnny Whiteley, pointing to his contribution to the city. Mike Pearson, from Gipsyville, says the sporting “icon”, who died in 2022, should be honoured alongside others – such as Roger Millward and Clive Sullivan – who have their names on the Hull map.
Having been in touch with Hull City Council, Mike, who is a Robins fan, is now appealing for others to get on board with the campaign. And the 70 year-old is considering launching a petition in a hope to demonstrate the depth of backing for the idea.
He said: “My mum and dad were Hull supporters in the Johnny Whiteley days. Both of them raved about ‘gentleman John’ and everybody said he was a gentleman. He was good for the city, he played for Hull and coached Hull, Rovers and Great Britain and West Hull’s ground is now named after him.
“We’ve got Roger Millward, Clive Sullivan, Phil Lowe and we’ve got Raich Carter so why doesn’t Hull have a ‘Johnny Whiteley Way’ or a ‘Johnny Whiteley Road’? I’m trying to get it out there.”
Mike took his idea to Hull City Council which has now confirmed Johnny Whiteley will be added to a bank of street names handed to developers and council ward members when new developments are taking place. The council told Mike it would advise against using the full first name and surname of a person who has died within the last 20 years – however councillors and ward members can ignore that advice as was the case with the naming of Phil Lowe Way.
Renaming of existing streets is also generally avoided in an effort not to disrupt businesses and residents. Under different circumstances, Mike suggested that Hawthorn Avenue could be renamed owing to it being the site of a gym, owned for several decades by Johnny Whiteley.
Mike joked: “I’m a Rovers supporter, so I was the red sheep of the family. It’s the opposition trying to do something for a Hull player!”
Johnny Whiteley made more than 400 appearances for Hull FC before later coaching the side. He had been a filliter on Hull’s fish docks before signing for Hull in December 1950, having completed his National Service in the army.
During his career he clocked up 15 test and World Cup appearances for Great Britain, 417 appearances for Hull FC over 15 seasons and was also part of the 1959 GB squad that was the last to beat Australia in England. In 2005 he was awarded an MBE for his services to rugby league.
Hull FC described him as one of the sport’s “greatest ambassadors” in his retirement. He died on February 13, 2022.
A Hull City Council spokesperson said: “We would like to thank Mr Pearson for the suggestion. As a result of this, the council will add it to the bank of street names use by the authority for when new developments are built in the city. Before any potential use of the late Johnny Whiteley’s name for a street name, the council would ensure this was in line with the family’s wishes. Ultimately the decision of any new street name is made by councillors on the relevant local Area Committee.”