A look at some notable former Hessle Rangers players and their links with the professional game.
Darryn Stamp
A tall striker, Darryn played for Hessle Rangers as a youngster and into men’s football, where he played alongside his Dad, Mike. He turned pro at Scunthorpe United, via a spell at Pontefract Collieries, where he spent 4 years and made a sub appearance at Wembley in a victory in the 1999/00 Third Division play-off final. Stampy moved on to Scarborough and then Northampton Town, who paid £50,000 to sign him, before excelling at Chester City, winning the Conference (now National League) title in 2004. He moved on again to Stevenage Borough, playing in a losing effort in the 2005 Conference play-off final and also played for Halifax Town, Kidderminster Harriers, York City, Northwich Victoria, Gateshead, Gainsborough Trinity, Guiseley and North Ferriby United with the latter roles combining playing with assisting his old Scunthorpe United team Steve Housham as manager.
David Prutton
Hull-born former Hessle Rangers youngster David Prutton is a graduate of the Nottingham Forest academy. He made his league debut in Forest’s first team in September 1999 and played over 150 games as well as winning 25 England U21 caps. He made a £2.5m move to Southampton and played 62 Premier League games before a 3 year spell at Leeds united and further moves to Colchester United, Swindon Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Scunthorpe United and Coventry City. David has gone on to forge a very good media career since retiring and fronts Sky Sports’ Football League coverage.
Keane Lewis-Potter
Keane was a prolific young striker in a Hessle Rangers team managed by former Hull City striker Matty Edeson. Keane went on to join the Hull City academy before he broke into the first team at the MKM Stadium in 2019, scoring his first goal away at Barnsley. He went on to score 30 goals for City, including 14 in the Championship and was called up for the England U21s in 2022. He then moved on to Premier League Brentford for a fee of around £20m.
Glen Humphries
A central defender and full-back, Glenn joined Doncaster Rovers in 1981 and made his league debut while still only 16 years old. He was capped for the England Youth team against Belgium in April 1983 and was a regular in the Doncaster team who were relegated from the Third Division that season but won promotion at the first attempt. After a loan spell at Lincoln City, he went on to join Bristol City and then Scunthorpe United before dropping into non-league at Frickley. He returned from playing in Hong Kong for Golden to join his hometown club, Hull City, in 1995, leaving at the end of the season after 16 appearances in all comps.
Mike Smith
Striker Mike Smith joined Hull City in 1985 and turned pro in 1987. He spent 4 years with The Tigers and scored his first and only senior goal for City in a 3-0 win over Chelsea. Mike moved to Scottish League Division One side Ayr United in 1991, playing under future Scotland Manager George Burley. After leaving Ayr the following year, he played for non-league teams Bridlington Town, Goole Town, North Ferriby United, Worksop Town, Gateshead and Brodsworth Miners Welfare and had a stint in New Zealand playing for Wellington Phoenix from 1994-1996.
Ian Wilkinson
Central defender Ian Wilkinson played for Hessle Rangers either side of his career with Hull City. He was still a YTS trainee when he was thrust into a poor Hull City side, heading for relegation to the bottom division of the football league, in 1996. He performed impressively for an 18 year old and scored his sole professional goal in a 4-2 win over Wycombe Wanderers at Boothferry Park. Despite being offered a pro contract, injuries put paid to his fledgling career and he returned to playing locally.
Mally Thompson
Malcolm Thompson was a striker who made his way into the football league from Goole Town, playing 46 times for Hartlepool United and scoring 9 goals. After a spell at Corby Town, he enjoyed a prolific time at, then non-league, Scarborough and famously scored the winner in the FA Trophy Final at Wembley against Wigan Athletic in 1973. Mally later coached a boys team for Hessle Rangers and then played for the club’s senior team before coaching them, winning the Hull Sunday Football League Premier Division.
Hessle Rangers CIC (Football Club) 