Ryan Johnson ready to tackle employers as Sheffield face Hull FC

HULL FC may literally be going up against one of their own in Ryan Johnson, who works for them! And a Sheffield shock in tomorrow's Challenge Cup last 16 tie may have far reaching consequences. 3 For the Eagles star joked he may get sacked!

HULL FC may literally be going up against one of their own in Ryan Johnson, who works for them!

And a Sheffield shock in tomorrow's Challenge Cup last 16 tie may have far reaching consequences.

For the Eagles’ star joked he may get sacked!

Johnson, who can play anywhere in the back line, is part of the Black and Whites’ foundation and coaches their Learning Disability Super League side.

But if he takes to the field at Featherstone, where the game has been switched to as their Olympic Legacy Park is not ready, it will be fun at his day job.

Johnson, 21, joked: “I don’t think I’d walk back into the office, I think I’d get sacked!

“I was at work when the draw was made and I was dancing around the office when I saw it but I separate my day job from my rugby.

“It’s not been massively mentioned really. I’m not in the office that much but there have still been a few little digs thrown in.”

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Johnson, who played for the City of Hull Academy and Hull FC’s reserves, saw his first team dream evaporate when Covid-19 ended the second string’s campaigns.

The student, studying Media at his home city’s university, kept on with his studies, which he is still doing, before getting his job with the foundation.

And he may be responsible for the next generation of stars while also doing valuable work.

Johnson added: “It was just the first team that was training and I was told, ‘With everything that’s happening, the reserves system is gone.’ So they released the reserves but kept those they thought could step up.

“At the time, they thought I probably couldn’t make it up there. It was tough to take and I didn’t know if I’d play high level rugby again or just go to amateur level. Luckily, Sheffield took me on.

“It wasn’t until a year after being released that I started at the foundation. Now I help with coaching, going into primary schools and working with the children there and I also coach the Learning Disability Super League side.

“That’s very rewarding. They’re great people and are always up for playing rugby and they enjoy being around others.

“But in terms of today, I am looking forward to it. I’m very excited even though it will be a very tough game – they’ve got a very good squad and plenty of depth.

“As a player, though, that’s the test I want. Super League is the benchmark.”

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