New Hull FC recruit Connor Bailey on his positional transition, full-time goal, and his move to the Black and Whites.
Connor Bailey was just 19 years old when he lined up for his Super League debut over five years ago. The opposition? Hull FC.
Ironically, the now 25-year-old, signed as a back rower for 2026 and beyond, played in a different position, too. Named in the Wakefield Trinity halves, a teenage Bailey partnered Ryan Hampshire as Hull, coached then by interim boss Andy Last, won 26-23 in St Helens – a neutral venue due to the coronavirus outbreak – in what was certainly a strange and unique time for all.
But Bailey, for one, has since kicked on. He’s spent the last two years at York Knights playing in the edge forward role – one he first appeared in while at Newcastle Thunder.
Also appearing at loose forward and centre in a career that has spanned over 120 games so far, Bailey brings plenty of versatility to the table – but it’s the back row where he wants to crack life at Hull FC, and he’s eager to impress.
“It feels like ages ago now,” Bailey, speaking to Hull Live, said on his Super League debut. “I was only young and it was during Covid, so I didn’t have my family there and there was no crowd. I was playing half-back as well – I’ve not played half-back in a long time. It’s weird to look back on now.”
So, how does a half-back transition into a back rower? For Bailey, the answer is simple.
“I think I just grew into my body,” he continued. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten heavier and I’ve gotten taller. I sort of just transitioned into it. It started at Newcastle. I moved into a thirteen role, and then one game I found myself at back row and then, barring the odd game, I just stayed there.
“When I moved to York, I cemented that right back row spot and played there for two seasons. I really enjoyed it and I’m learning all the trades of the position, but I’m also happy to be that utility man and do a job anywhere in the team, whether that’s in the back row or middle or whether it’s at half-back or at centre. I like to think I can do a job for Carty – I’m happy to do whatever is needed of me.”
With experience in different positions, Bailey also knows what’s required. Of course, he’s been that half-back supplying good ball to his back rower, and in reversing his roles, he knows what Hull’s right-edge half, likely to be Jake Arthur, is looking for.
“Playing back row, I think it’s helped me a lot playing half-back first,” Bailey explained. “I can still do a lot of half-back things but wider and in more space, in terms of getting early ball and using my hands out wide.
“I like to think I can still kick a little bit as well, maybe not as good as I used to, but I’ve learnt a lot over the last few years, especially in terms of line running and defensively too.
“I’m just hoping to bring some competition to places. Jed (Cartwright) and Batch (Joe Batchelor) are also in there and they are great players, but hopefully, I can bring something different to the edge and the team.”
Settling in to pre-season training, Bailey has knuckled down and is now accustomed to life at Hull FC. Transitioning from part-time rugby league to being a full-time athlete once again has been his goal – and he’s now living every moment.
“It’s been class,” he said of his time at Hull so far. “The boys have made it so easy for me coming into a full-time environment again. I was quite nervous being part-time the last few years, but the boys have really welcomed me in, from the young lads right to the most experienced lads in the team. It’s been really good so far and I’m really enjoying it.
“Being part-time at York, I was working in fencing – it’s our family business, so I did that for a couple of years on the building site. I take my hat off to the lads who do it part-time and work. It’s tough but it was something different, as I’d been full-time before that, but it was good and I enjoyed it.
“I learnt a lot of stuff, a lot of life lessons and a few trades as well, which is going to help me when I get older but I’m glad now to be back full-time and just focusing on my rugby.
“Being part-time, it does take your focus away a little bit; you’re working all day and then training in an evening. At York, I was training three nights a week on an evening and sometimes the last thing you want to do when you’ve been at work all day is go to training on a night and then get up again the next day. It’s great that rugby is my main focus again and I can really narrow it down and get back to where I used to be.”
And as for Hull, the decision for Bailey to sign was an easy one. He added: “It was always my aim to get back to full-time, to Super League, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think it wouldn’t happen at times. But when the opportunity came at this club and where they want to go, I jumped at it.
“It was all through Richie (Myler, CEO), really; he sold the club to me and made it an easy decision. I played with Richie at York for a few games and got on well with him.
“I know that he trusts me, and that helps, and when he offered me a position here, it was music to my ears. It’s what I wanted ever since I went part-time. He told me about where the club wants to be and where he sees me fitting into the team and what my role is. I was really happy with what he had to say.
“Speaking to Carty as well, I thought, ‘Why not?’ Hull have struggled over the last few years, but Carty has come in and he’s got a good core group of players now, which is really exciting to be a part of. I can’t wait to get going.”