As many of will know, Johnny Whiteley sadly passed away last week aged 91.

Johnny grew up in the local area and was a Hull FC captain for many years. Many of his matches would have been played at the grounds on which The Boulevard Academy now stands.

Throughout his rugby career, Johnny also worked on Hull docks and was the last Great Britain coach to win the test series against Australia.

In celebration of his life, student representatives laid flowers on the memorial at the school entrance on Thursday afternoon. The flowers were then taken on Friday to the Jack Harrison VC MC memorial outside the stadium’s West Stand on behalf of all students and staff at The Boulevard Academy.

The head of Whiteley House here at the Academy, Mr Morrell, held an assembly remembering ‘Gentleman John.’ The school is also proud to announce that we will be launching an annual ‘Johnny Whiteley Rugby Tournament’ in the summer to continue Johnny’s legacy.