Hull FC lose patience and sack Tansey ahead of derby

Despite the Airlie Birds chief growing increasingly frustrated by his failure to secure an extra half-back option before the start of the new Super League season this weekend, the club yesterday sacked one of their more creative talents due to disciplinary reasons.

Hull could have shown leniency given the proximity of the campaign – they start against derby rivals Hull KR at Cardiff on Sunday – and their already light squad but Agar has refused to give the talented but unpredictable ex-Leeds Rhinos player any further chance.

Tansey has been dismissed after a third breach of club discipline inside just 12 months and, while they refuse to elaborate on the reasons, it is thought they are drink related.

He had two years remaining on his deal at the KC Stadium but in a statement the club said: “Hull FC have terminated the contract of Jordan Tansey with immediate effect following disciplinary action. The club will be making no further comment.”

Tansey, 24, joined 18 months ago when Hull bought him out of his contract with Leeds while he was on a loan deal at Sydney Roosters.

He made 25 appearances last season but was dropped for the round four game against Harlequins and a 22-match run was ended when he was left out of Hull’s team for the play-off defeat by Hull KR after another misdemeanour. The last straw came nine days ago and he was omitted from the side to play Castleford in a pre-season friendly.

Utility player Richard Whiting is expected to take the full-back spot against Rovers at the Millennium Stadium which is ironically the scene of Tansey’s most famous – or infamous – moment to date back in 2007.

It was in the first Millennium Magic when the player scored a controversial last-second match-winning try from a clearly offside position, securing Leeds a remarkable 42-38 victory which left their arch-rivals seething due to the glaring oversight of the officials.

The match referee that night – Steve Ganson – is expected to take charge of the Leeds v Bradford derby again on Sunday, a fixture which precedes the Hull derby.

Meanwhile, the Bulls are teaming up with Bradford Council in the hope of becoming a host city for the 2013 World Cup.

Odsal missed out when the tournament was last played in the UK in 2000 but they are making a strong bid to stage games and house one of the 14 competing nations.

Rikki Sherrife, the winger released by Bradford at the end of last season, has signed a two-year deal with Newcastle Falcons after seeking the advice of ex-Bulls and Gloucester player Henry Paul.