It started as a lockdown trim but Hull FC’s Brad Fash now has a cult following for his crazy mullet and hard-hitting displays.
He’s one of Betfred Super League’s most instantly recognisable faces and has no intention of getting rid of the wacky hairstyle. The England Knights prop, 27, is in career best form, illustrated by the club announcing today he’s signed a new three-year deal. It can’t all be down to the flowing locks but Fash is loving the attention his distinctive look’s been getting.
He resembles a vampire out of 80s movie The Lost Boys more than a rugby league front-row but insists that wasn’t the inspiration.
“No, Kiefer Sutherland’s not my man!” joked Fash, who’s been nicknamed Brad ‘Fashenhuyzen’ by Hull fans in reference to Melbourne’s mulleted full-back Ryan Papenhuyzen.
“The missus cut it like this and now it’s the best haircut in the world. She did it in lockdown. She’s not a hairdresser - I do have a barber now - so it’s the magic of Covid. Everyone’s copying it now. I like to think so anyway!
"They’re not on this level, though, are they?
“And it is here to stay. Or at least until Head and Shoulders ring me up and tell me they want me to do it in a different style. I do like how it’s all taken off (with fans).
"My main shirt sponsor Mark Leak, from Sports Events Services, even had a mullet at the Huddersfield game, wearing a wig in the hospitality box!”
That game saw Hull crucially end a seven-match losing run. Tony Smith’s side bid to back up with another victory when leaders Wigan visit on Thursday and ex-Castleford stand-off Jake Trueman is ready to debut after ten months out with an ACL injury.
Fash said: “It’s a big game. They’ll be a real challenge. Wigan have been playing well but if we perform like we did against Huddersfield we have a good chance. That Huddersfield win was massive.
"We needed to break the cycle and get back to winning like we did the first two games.”
Fash has spent his entire career at hometown Hull and was always going to stay on longer.
After signing his new deal, he said: “I didn’t look anywhere else. I’m happy at Hull. I like it here. With Tony (Smith) just coming on board and new training facilities I think we’re in with a good chance of building the next two or three years. And I do think we can do something.”
Smith added: "It's great that we've been able to retain Brad because he has a great attitude to working hard and developing his game. He sets high standards for himself and his desire to improve as a player is the sort of thing you're looking for when you're a coach hoping to re-sign somebody.
"Brad will help offer a versatile option to our pack, with the ability to play in the front-row, at loose forward, or on an edge. And the fact that he is a local boy is a big help, too. You always want homegrown talents in your squad because you know they will always work hard to represent the club - that is exactly what Brad does.
"So we're all really pleased to get this one over the line."
