Hull FC’s Lloyd Kemp on his ‘telepathic’ partnership with twin brother Callum, his senior debut, and the future.
Hull FC celebrate Lloyd Kemp’s try.
In the 1950s Hull FC had the Drake twins. Now they have the Kemp twins: Callum and Lloyd, two teenagers looking to write their own chapter into the Black and Whites’ history books.
Two of the most promising young players at the club, the twins have both made their first-team debuts, with Callum playing the final game of last season against Catalans and Lloyd the first game of this season: York Acorn in the Challenge Cup.
And while they have a way to go to emulate the Drakes of the 50s, Bill and Jim, two 200-plus-game veterans who won two league championships in a side led by the club’s greatest ever, Johnny Whiteley, the passion and the ambition are there.
The twins – Callum, a half-back, and Lloyd, a full-back – have grown up watching the Black and Whites while playing for community club Hull Wyke and are now aiming to make their own mark together. The passion is strong.
“We’ve supported Hull FC all of our lives,” Lloyd, speaking to Hull Live, said. “I’ve played with Callum all of my life, and just being on this journey with him, it adds that extra special feeling to it, not just for me and him, but for all of our family.
“We know each other’s game inside out. There are certain looks that we give each other. We just know what to do, and even the way Callum carries the ball and runs with the ball, I know what he’s thinking and when I’m going to get it.
“It’s just a click now, and being able to have that with someone – especially in such a pivotal position – just makes the game a lot easier as well. I think it might be a bit telepathic. There’s something there. Sometimes we just know where we’re going to be or what we’re going to do. There’s a certain aspect of that.
“We get on with each other so well, both on and off the field. We’ve got the same sort of friends, and we do everything with each other. It’s like having your best mate there consistently.”
The duo, still only 18 years old, are yet to feature in Hull’s first team together, but they’ve had a taste individually. And while Callum got the first taste of senior rugby league, Lloyd didn’t have to wait too long – playing the very next game, albeit five months later.
“It was a really proud moment,” Lloyd recalled. “When I got told I was playing, I was buzzing. The family was, too.
“Callum made his debut at the end of last year, and that was a proud moment for us all – we were all absolutely buzzing for him, and then for me to be able to get my chance, it was a massive opportunity and just a great feeling being able to debut for my boyhood club. It was unbelievable, really – it was a massive honour.”
Lloyd crossed over that day in Featherstone, and whether playing academy, reserves or representative action for Yorkshire, he’s rarely off the scoresheet.
“It was just good to get the win,” he said. “It’s always a nice feeling to get over. I just try to put myself in the picture and play like a modern-day fullback should. I always try to keep moving and get myself in the picture.
“That’s me. I just throw myself wherever, really. I debuted for Hull at half-back, but I’ve played full-back all of my life and also a bit of centre. I’m just trying to take every chance I can get and not limit myself. I want to keep pushing on. You never know what chances can come, so having that variety in my game is a good thing.”
Since his debut, Lloyd has featured heavily for Hull’s academy and reserve side and has also played twice for Yorkshire in wins over Lancashire – and all alongside his brother. The latest was a 42-10 success over the county rival at Rovers’ Craven Park last weekend.
“It was good,” Lloyd said. “We won the first game – and we spoke about this – but Yorkshire had not won since 2021, so it was a good experience to go out there and get two solid wins over Lancashire.
“It was good to be around a camp – you get used to different players and different coaches as well. You learn new things. You’re playing against the best players on the other side of the country, and it’s a lot more of a challenge, but the way we all went into the camp and the way we all got on with each other, I think that helped set us up for the game and the win.”
And as for his Hull future, with both twins signed up until the end of 2027, there’s a calming assurance. The teenager, relaxed as much off the field as he is on, knows he has to be patient under John Cartwright, but there’s a hunger and drive to learn, develop and be the best he can be at a club that means the world to him.
“I’ve just got to be patient,” Lloyd said. “I know I’ve got to bide my time, and if an opportunity comes, take it, but at the minute it’s all about getting game time under my belt. Being able to play academy and reserves week in, week out, that consistent game time is good, but again, I know I need to be patient and just keep working hard.
“Even now, to get this opportunity training with the first team every day, you learn a lot of things. It’s a good environment to be in. The group of lads, the coaching staff, everything – you look forward to training, and everyone gets on.
“I’m learning and developing off the players and coaches. John has been great. He’s a great guy, and he’s an honest man. If I ever need anything, I know I can talk to him. He helps us a lot with little tips and tricks and things to help us along the way.
“All the coaches have looked out for us really. Franny (Cummins) has been great, and we know we can knock on their door, but John – he’s been really good for the club, and with Will Kirby and Will Hutchinson getting their chances this year too, it shows that there is a pathway. The club is massive on that, bringing the youth through and the born-and-bred Hull lads.
“There’s a plan for where they want us to be and where the club is going at the minute; it’s a great opportunity for us young lads just to keep going the way we are and keep pushing on and knocking on the door. Hopefully we’ll get our chances in the future, and then it is up to us to take them.”