BBC SPORT | Rugby League | The Boulevard of memories

Steve McNamara and Garry Schofield are Hull heroes-turned-villains and both have seen the Boulevard at its best and its worst.

And both admit they will have a lump in their throats when one of Rugby League's most famous grounds closes its gates for good.

"I don't think there is a place like it anywhere, it's unique," said McNamara.

"It has a special atmosphere of its own" admitted Schofield.

The pair played in different generations of Hull FC sides.

The atmosphere was fantastic

Garry Schofield

But both have fond memories of playing in the black and white hoops, in front of the famous Threepenny Stand.

"There was no place like it," said Schofield.

"The atmosphere was fantastic, especially when the Threepenny Stand started to belt out Old Faithful.

"It was worth six to eight points start for us whoever we were playing against.

Garry Schofield was never forgiven for leaving Hull for Leeds
Schofield returned to the Boulevard as a Leeds player

"And I still have a lot of affection for the place because it's where I started my career."

McNamara arrived at the club after Schofield had left, but he too was struck by the intensity of the atmosphere on a match day at the Boulevard.

"When I played at Hull we had some barren times, but even then nobody liked coming to play at the Boulevard.

"It was one of the toughest grounds in rugby league to visit."

For both players, fondness from the terraces gave way to hatred when they left the Hull club, especially in Schofield's case.

He remains unforgiven in some corners of the Boulevard for leaving to join arch-enemies Leeds.

"One of my worst memories of the ground was going back with Leeds and scoring the winning try.

Ellery Hanley got his jaw smashed in the game and afterwards we got a very uncomfortable ride from the Hull fans, especially myself."

"I guess they can be a little bit hostile at times."

Even McNamara had his rough rides on his returns.

Steve McNamara remembers fondly the intense atmosphere at the Boulevard on match days
McNamara was struck by the atmosphere at the Boulevard

"I wasn't forgiven for leaving," he admitted.

"When I was with Bradford I used to get a rough time, but less so when I went to Wakefield and Huddersfield.

"The Hull fans have a reputation, but I know from experience that they are mostly good people with a passion for rugby league."

And both players insist that when Hull FC move into their new ground, the atmosphere there will be as good as it has been at the Boulevard.

"It might not be the same ground, but it's the same location," says McNamara.

The new ground will get its own atmosphere

Steve McNamara

"It's isolated, out there on the East coast. That makes the home fans even more proud of their local side."

"You'll never truly recreate the atmosphere of the Threepenny Stand.

"In those days it was like a fortress. But the new ground will get its own atmosphere."

"The Threepenny Standers will make their presence felt, wherever they are, " agreed Schofield.

"They are very patriotic about rugby league in Hull and that will always remain the same."