By Paul Fletcher

Radford hopes to lift the Super League trophy this season

Hull FC skipper Lee Radford is confident his team can go one better than last year's Grand Final defeat in Super League XII.

The Airlie Birds lost last season's final 26-4 to St Helens but have boosted their squad with the likes of Matt Sing and Willie Manu.

Radford said: "We've made some great signings and have a very strong squad.

"There is competition for places all over the park - I think we are more equipped than last year."

Hull's 2006 season turned around following the arrival of Australian coach Peter Sharp in April.

Sharp, who had previously been assistant coach at NRL side Parramatta, replaced John Kear.

I cannot wait for the new season - I can't stand training all week and then not playing Lee Radford

Hull had lost four of their last five games under Kear, but Sharp proved to be a steadying influence, taking his team all the way to Old Trafford.

"Peter came in during the season last year and changed one or two things around," added Radford.

"We have now had the benefit of a full pre-season with him - and he has added another couple of things to our play."

Radford defeated Wigan Warriors enforcer Stuart Fielden in a charity boxing match on Friday to raise money for Steve Prescott, who is suffering from stomach cancer - and the 27-year-old is also the coach of amateur side East Hull.

With a pre-season training camp in Spain it has all made for a very busy January for Radford, one he describes as the "busiest of my life".

He also has the added responsibility of skippering Hull this season - and after a busy month wants nothing more than the season to start, against Catalan Dragons on 11 February.

"I cannot wait for the new season - I cannot stand training all week and then not playing," he said.

"Being skipper is a very big honour. With the group of players that we have here it is a massive achievement to be named skipper.

"I'll be telling the players that every team seems to have improved their squad. I'm sure it will be a really though season."