It was a joint press conference to preview today’s Challenge Cup final between the holders and Wigan, the record 19-time winners of the famous old trophy.
Wigan prop Tony Clubb spoke about resurrecting his career after having a kidney removed, while Hull captain Gareth Ellis talked of his Wembley dream in the final season before he retires.
There was a certain romance to every player’s tale but Radford is a good story in his own right.
He is fast emerging as one of the brightest young coaches in the game after surviving a difficult start to his tenure when fans called for his head.
Radford said: “That first season in 2014 was very tough and I took a lot of stick. My missus copped it as well and she actually stopped coming to games in that first year.
“I can remember during a particularly bad derby defeat the Hull KR fans were chanting ‘you’re getting sacked in the morning’.
“My two children were in the stand and you can imagine the grief they got at school. Twelve months on, though, and we were beating Rovers.”
Backed by ambitious owner Adam Pearson, Radford has gradually moulded the Black and Whites into a highly respected and well-motivated force.
He has blended homegrown talent with shrewd overseas signings, building a physically imposing side not dissimilar to the all-conquering Bradford team with whom he won the treble in 2003.
The 38-year-old guided Hull FC to an historic first Wembley win in last season’s Challenge Cup final against Warrington.
Radford married his long-term partner Paula last month and added jokingly: “I was engaged for 20 years and had to make sure she was right for me.
“Away from rugby, I have five pubs and a golf club, which is something to fall back on and certainly keeps me busy.
“We recently held our wedding at my golf club, which worked out well. I must be the only person I know to make a profit on their own wedding.”
There is plenty of mutual respect between Radford and Wigan counterpart Shaun Wane but that will count for nothing today.
Radford added: “When I became Hull coach at the beginning of 2014, Shaun was actually the first person to congratulate me and offer his advice. I’ll always remember that.
“I’m very envious of the success that Wigan have had as a club and that Shaun has enjoyed as a coach.
“I wanted to carbon copy that, in essence, and put our own bit of flavour into it.
“Hopefully that’s what has happened and to retain the Challenge Cup would be a really phenomenal effort.”