
NRL great Josh Reynolds reveals how he was tricked into drinking BOURBON in the middle of a game
Playing in the Super League for Hull FC in the derby against bitter rivals Hull Kingston Rovers in 2021, the five-eighth set up a try and was in the mood to celebrate.
Speaking on the Boom Rookies podcast, Reynolds confirmed he picked up a Coke bottle that struck his leg when it was thrown onto the field by a fan.
Without hesitating, Reynolds drank from the plastic bottle mid-match and was shocked to discover it was filled with bourbon.
Days later on social media, rumours were swirling from footy fans that the bottle actually contained urine.
'I was into it (the derby), I bought in,' Reynolds said.
'I was warned in the lead-up to stay away from East Hull as that was where the Hull KR fans were based.
'When we scored that try, I gave them (Hull KR supporters) a little bit (of a spray) and one of their fans launched a bottle.
'Me being an idiot, I had a bit of chug of it ... I spat it back out towards the crowd, who were 30 metres away. It was bourbon, snuck into the ground (by a supporter).
'Then on social media days later, people were saying it was urine. (But) I've tasted a fair bit of bourbon in my time, I can assure you it was bourbon.'
Reynolds joined Hull FC from Wests Tigers in 2021, and spent two seasons with the club.
Next was a return to his beloved Canterbury Bulldogs, before the fan favourite at Belmore eventually hung up his boots in 2023.
The Hull derby is one of the highest-profile rugby league rivalries in Britain, with the two squads separated by the River Hull.
The clubs first met in 1899, with bragging rights ensuring the games are always keenly contested, no matter where the teams sit on the ladder.
This season Hull KR have impressed in the Super League, losing just three matches to be ladder leaders under coach Willie Peters.
Their neighbours - where fellow Aussie John Cartwright is in charge - sit mid-table after 21 matches, with the next derby on September 8.

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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Antoine Semenyo breaks silence after he was allegedly racially abused against Liverpool - as he responds to ANOTHER vile racist comment from sick troll
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Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo in particular was spotted comforting the 25-year-old. Semenyo has now spoken out for the first time on his social media since the shocking incident. Responding to a vile racist comment left on his Instagram account, the footballer posted to his Stories: 'When will it stop...' Despite being the subject of the alleged abuse, the talented winger was at the top of his game on the opening day of the season. After Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo put the host's 2-0 up, the game seemed dead and buried. But Semenyo fired back with a brace, including an incredible solo goal fired past Allison in the Liverpool goal. It wasn't enough for Andoni Iraola's side however, as late strikes from Federico Chiesa and Mo Salah secured Arne Slot's side all three points on the opening day of the season. During the match, the Premier League released an official statement condemning the alleged abuse received by Semenyo. It came after an anti-discriminatory message was read out at Anfield. 'Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. This is in line with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol,' the league's statement read. 'The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. 'We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.' At half-time, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher also expressed disdain towards the incident. Neville said: 'It overshadows what should be an amazing night, first game of the Premier League season. 'That boy [Semenyo] has basically been racially abused and had to complain about it. It's despicable. I can't even think what would be going through someone's mind [to say that]. Carragher added: 'The amount of campaigns we have, kick racism out, all over the world, it's shocking to see an incident like that. 'A shocking incident and rightly reported to the referee.' Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola also spoke out at full-time After the final whistle, Neville said: 'There needs to be strong consequences. It's what the game does. We see lots of statements, but the key thing is, what's changing?' Slot commended the attending fans for paying respects to the late Diogo Jota, and admitted that it was disappointing such an incident takes the shine off a memorable night. The Dutchman said: 'We don't want this in football, we don't want this in a stadium, but especially not in Anfield. 'It's unacceptable that something like this happens in a stadium, especially at Anfield. It takes the shine off - our fans were unbelievable with their tributes for Diogo. 'I didn't hear it but it should definitely not happen in a stadium.' In the other dugout, Iraola said: 'Antoine, the referee, everyone explained the situation. The person has been identified. 'It was a great game of football, everyone watching, and now we have to be talking about these things. We should have been past this stage but people don't behave correctly. Every step that you collectively do forward, with this it loses a lot of power. 'He did what he had to do. He said straight away, the referee explained the situation, I don't think he lost his mind, but in the next minutes he was probably thinking. It was a big shame we have to be talking about these things. 'The Liverpool managers, the players, they feel it. Even if it's a Liverpool supporter, they don't want them with them. Everyone understands these things have to be out from everywhere, especially from football.' In his post-match interview, Bournemouth captain Adam Smith said: 'Totally unacceptable, shocked that it happened in this day and age. 'It shouldn't be happening. I don't know how Ant has played on and come up with those goals. It's totally unacceptable. I just feel sorry for Ant. He's a little bit down and to carry on playing, something needs to be done. Taking a knee is having no effect. We'll support him and hopefully he'll be okay. 'I wanted him to react, because that's what I would have done. I would have gone straight over there, but it shows what type of man he is, to not react in the moment and to carry on. Coming up with those two goals shows the type of guy he is. 'I felt angry. Shocked. I said to the referee, I wanted him removed immediately, but they had to go through a process and the police will sort it. 'The Liverpool players were very supportive towards Antoine and the rest of the team. it was handled in the right way, but so angry. 'We've had discussions with the Premier League about it, so they are taking it seriously. I don't know what else we can do! We've been doing it for a long time now and no one is getting it. I don't know what to say anymore. 'I just feel sorry for Ant, that he's had to take that tonight. The whole country is watching and for that to happen is shocking.' Liverpool also released a club statement during the game to condemn the moment, and revealed a police investigation is ongoing.


The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Police investigate after Bournemouth footballer reports racist abuse at Anfield
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Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Football condemns racist abuse aimed at Antoine Semenyo: Angry Bournemouth captain speaks out, manager reveals star was asked if he wanted to play on - and Reds release statement as player breaks silence
Bournemouth 's fuming captain has revealed how Antoine Semenyo was hurt by the alleged racist abuse made towards him by a Liverpool fan on Friday night. The football world has come out to condemn the incident, which saw a fan in a wheelchair thrown of Anfield by police after appearing to heckle him while he prepared to take a throw. Despite the first-half incident, Semenyo scored twice in a breathtaking encounter as Liverpool won 4-2 and paid tribute to their late forward Diogo Jota. Semenyo has since broken his silence on Instagram, asking 'when will it stop' after a fan posted monkey emojis under one of his photographs, and his captain Adam Smith has livid after the game. Smith told Sky Sports: 'Totally unacceptable, shocked that it happened in this day and age. 'It shouldn't be happening. I don't know how Ant has played on and come up with those goals. It's totally unacceptable. I just feel sorry for Ant. He's a little bit down and to carry on playing, something needs to be done. Taking a knee is having no effect. We'll support him and hopefully he'll be okay. 'I wanted him to react, because that's what I would have done. I would have gone straight over there, but it shows what type of man he is, to not react in the moment and to carry on. Coming up with those two goals shows the type of guy he is. 'I felt angry. Shocked. I said to the referee, I wanted him removed immediately, but they had to go through a process and the police will sort it. 'The Liverpool players were very supportive towards Antoine and the rest of the team. it was handled in the right way, but so angry. 'We've had discussions with the Premier League about it, so they are taking it seriously. I don't know what else we can do! We've been doing it for a long time now and no one is getting it. I don't know what to say anymore. 'I just feel sorry for Ant, that he's had to take that tonight. The whole country is watching and for that to happen is shocking.' The incident occurred just 28 minutes into the new season, when Semenyo was preparing to take a throw-in before he appeared to be heckled by a Liverpool fan. The 25-year-old forward brought the incident to the attention of referee Anthony Taylor, and the match was promptly paused temporarily. Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was seen in discussion with officials and Liverpool manager Arne Slot, before play resumed in the 31st minute. Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. This is in line with the Premier League's on-field… — Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 15, 2025 It has been alleged that the person who directed the abuse at Semenyo was a Liverpool fan sitting in a wheelchair in the bottom row of Anfield's Main Stand. At half-time, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher also expressed disdain towards the incident. Neville said: 'It overshadows what should be an amazing night, first game of the Premier League season. 'That boy [Semenyo] has basically been racially abused and had to complain about it. It's despicable. I can't even think what would be going through someone's mind [to say that]. Carragher added: 'The amount of campaign we have, kick racism out, all over the world, it's shocking to see an incident like that. 'A shocking incident and rightly reported to the referee.' After the final whistle, Neville said: 'There need to be strong consequences. It's what the game does. We see lots of statements, but there key thing is, what's changing?' Slot commended the attending fans for paying respects to the late Diogo Jota, and admitted that it was disappointing such an incident takes the shine off a memorable night. The Dutchman said: 'We don't want this in football, we don't want this in a stadium, but especially not in Anfield. 'It's unacceptable that something like this happens in a stadium, especially at Anfield. It takes the shine off - our fans were unbelievable with their tributes for Diogo. 'I didn't hear it but it should definitely not happen in a stadium.' In the other dugout, Iraola said: 'Antoine, the referee, everyone explained the situation. The person has been identified. 'It was a great game of football, everyone watching, and now we have to be talking about these things. We should have been past this stage but people don't behave correctly. Every step that you collectively do forward, with this it loses a lot of power. 'He did what he had to do. He said straight away, the referee explained the situation, I don't think he lost his mind, but in the next minutes he was probably thinking. It was a big shame we have to be talking about these things. 'The Liverpool managers, the players, they feel it. Even if it's a Liverpool supporter, they don't want them with them. Everyone understands these things have to be out from everywhere, especially from football.' During the game, Daily Mail Sport's Football Editor, Ian Ladyman, reported from the crowd: 'Two or three minutes before the stoppage I did see Semenyo turn to look at a guy seated in a wheelchair at the front of the Main Stand who was saying something to him quite forcibly. Football fans quickly took to social media to share their contempt towards the incident 'The look on the Bournemouth player's face said all you needed to know.' The Premier League released on official statement during the game, taking to their Match Centre account on X. It read: 'Tonight's match between Liverpool Football Club and AFC Bournemouth was temporarily paused during the first half after a report of discriminatory abuse from the crowd, directed at Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo. This is in line with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol. 'The incident at Anfield will now be fully investigated. We offer our full support to the player and both clubs. Racism has no place in our game, or anywhere in society. 'We will continue to work with stakeholders and authorities to ensure our stadiums are an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.' Liverpool also released a club statement during the game to condemn the moment, and revealed a police investigation is ongoing.