Man's quest to get city street named after rugby legend

JOHNNY WHITELEY HAS BEEN ADDED TO A LIST OF POTENTIAL NEW ROAD NAMES

- By TOM KEIGHLEY

Johnny Whiteley, Hull captain (1960)

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.