By ROGER PUGH
HISTORICALLY dated Poorhouse Lane, a road leading to Sewell Group Craven Park, has now become Phil Lowe Way – named after one of Hull KR’s greatest-ever forwards who played for the Robins between 1967 and 1983.
Appropriately, the road sign, outside the ground, is in red and white to match the team’s colours.
It was unveiled by his son Andy Lowe, who said his father would be “really proud of what the club have done for him. This club was everything to him, absolutely everything.
“Whenever I come to any of the games, the first thing you see is my dad’s name. It’s here for eternity. If you’re sending a letter to Hull KR now, you’ve got to send it to Phil Lowe. That’s brilliant, isn’t it?”
Phil Lowe was born in Hull in January 1950, signing for Rovers from Jervis Youth Club on his 16th birthday.
A former Hull and Yorkshire schoolboys’ captain, he quickly progressed through the Juniors and ‘A’ team, making his first team debut in a drawn game at home to Featherstone on Ma March 4, 1967.
Although he made only a handful of appearances that season, he earned a regular place the following one when he appeared in 44 of the 49 matches.
Lowe was 6’2”, very tall for that time, possessed a powerful physique and considerable pace for a forward.
He caused havoc to defences with his strong running, coupled with a high knee action and a sledgehammer hand-off, and was the club’s player of the year in 1968-69.
He made his international debut the following season and became the youngest member of the victorious 1970 Great Britain tour party to Australasia.
Although he didn’t play in the historic Tests against the Aussies, it was a great experience and he worked one-on-one with coach Johnny Whiteley specifically on his handling.
In all, Lowe played 12 games for Great Britain and five for England in addition to several Yorkshire County appearances and helped Great Britain to victory in the 1972 World Cup final.
The season of 1972-73 was his most prolific try-scoring season in which he beat William Sandham’s 60-year-old club record for a forward with 26 tries, including 14 during a spell in which he crossed in eight consecutive games.
The following year he decided to take on a new challenge and emigrated to Australia to spend three years with top club Manly.
He scored 25 tries in 72 games for the Sea Eagles, none more important than their only score in the 1976 grand final success over Parramatta.
In October 1976, still only 26 and at his peak, Lowe made a try-scoring return to Rovers against Workington at Craven Park, and he was a regular member of the side until his retirement.
In addition to his powerful running, he had developed into a fine cover-tackler and in the championship-winning 1978-79 season he made a huge contribution to the success with 24 tries in 37 appearances, while he was also a member of the historic Challenge Cup-winning side of 1980.
Lowe’s last game was in a Challenge Cup defeat at Hunslet on February 13, 1983 – certainly not the way he would have chosen to end his glorious career.
However, there is little doubt that for those who were privileged to see him, he was the finest running second row forward the club has had.
In all, Lowe made 418 appearances for the Robins and scored 179 tries, playing in a record five finals against Hull FC and finishing on the winning side on three occasions.
Over his Rovers career, he had 35 starting partners in the second row, enjoying the most starts (78) with his long-time friend, Paul Rose – still considered by many as the club’s finest pairing.
After his retirement from playing, Lowe had a short spell coaching at York before two spells with the Robins as a director, serving both as club chair and football director.
He also became a very successful businessman through his hostelry and property interests. Phil Lowe passed away in March 2024.
Hull KR owner Neil Hudgell said at the street name unveiling: “Phil Lowe was more than just a great player – he was a gentleman of the game and a legend of the club. His impact on Hull KR, the city, and the sport of rugby league is immeasurable.
“Renaming the road to our stadium as Phil Lowe Way is not only a lasting tribute to his incredible legacy, but also a way for future generations to remember and be inspired by one of the finest to ever wear the red and white.”
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