Pearson denies Leeds links

Owner of Super League club Hull FC, Adam Pearson, has played down any and all links to his supposed investment of Leeds United.

Pearson, a former commercial director at Elland Road, this morning told Hull FC Live that the rugby club is his sole focus and dismissed the rumours linking him to buying the Whites.

Rumours began after United’s owners GFH Capital stated they were seeking further investment from the right partners and speculation was fuelled by Pearson’s comments last month after an interview in which he said: “I will definitely get back into football. I would like to go in with a consortium with a club that has huge potential. The one that stands out is Leeds United.”

But this morning the 49-year-old told Hull FC Live that he is remaining at the KC Stadium and that he is not looking to buy a controlling interest in Leeds United:

“It’s a funny one because Hull FC is mine. I own the club, it’s my baby and I want to grow and develop it. Football is my business and I’ll always get rumours and connections in football as that’s my industry.

“Leeds is a club that I live close to and I’ve worked there before so I understand how big a club it is but at this minute in time, it’s not for me. My focus is completely on Hull FC and my other business interests.

“There’ll be no movement to Elland Road in the near future. This is my complete focus and so I’d like to squash those rumours once and for all. I’ve not made a single comment in the press about it and all my focus and financial backing is on this club

“I’m incredibly passionate about the club. Watching the team and the commitment and effort they put in, and the supporters are so passionate about the club, you can’t help but reach those levels of passion yourself.

“Certainly I won’t be leaving FC until there’s some silverware and we’re established as a top Super League club. I want to win something and try to get into that top four.

“There are some really strong clubs who all want to do the same thing, with some good owners and some good coaches. We’ll just keep battling away but it won’t be a lack of effort or a lack of commitment if we don’t reach those goals. We are going to be going all out to make sure we succeed here.”