Hull FC’s key message to fans as brighter future expected

“The farther you can look forward, the longer you can look back,” Winston Churchill reportedly remarked. Even though nobody at Hull FC would like to reflect on one of their most tumultuous and traumatic years ever, learning is a necessary part of evolution, and this team is learning as they strive to advance and regain their position as a competitive Super League institution.

Even if nobody wants to dwell on 2024 for too long, there are some facts that cannot be avoided, the most significant of which is that Hull only won three of their 28 league and cup matches during that season. That oversaw a disastrous season for which Hull was ill-prepared due to poor hiring and retention practices, leaving a team that just wasn’t adequate to meet the requirements of a professional rugby league league—more than 900 points given up, an 11-game losing streak, and an 11th-place result. It’s enough.

What’s done, however, is done. Hull is aware of the harsh realities. They are aware that their performances were unacceptable and that they were not good enough. With the puzzle pieces being assembled behind the scenes to guarantee a better future, they are currently attempting to move on. With Richie Myler and company working together to improve the Super League table, new head coach John Cartwright is expected to lead that future.

Ten new signings have been made, with over 20 players leaving the club. Add to that new coaches, new backroom staff, and a new owner, and it’s not hard to fathom Hull’s choice word going into a new year: change.

The modifications have been done to prevent history from happening again and to prevent Hull from suffering those repercussions right away. For this reason, leadership and experience have been sought in both player acquisitions and coach and staff selections. Andy Last, John Asiata, and other seasoned veterans have joined Hull’s team. Everything is strategic.

In order to increase the club’s financial scope and investment, Andrew Thirkill and David Hood bought it from Adam Pearson, marking the beginning of the ownership transition. That is encouraging, especially when combined with better training facilities and surroundings. Hull is now more equipped to handle the challenges of the Super League thanks to a rigorous preseason program. Players have everything they need in sequence, so there is no shortcut to perform.

And under Cartwright, everything is centred on hard work, with players running more and training under fatigue. The hope is that they will be a more dogged and resilient outfit in 2025, one that shows grit, effort, and determination, and one who doesn’t roll over when the going gets tough.

That’s been the biggest issue of Hull in recent years—how quickly their back breaks. That cannot be allowed to continue and once more shows the road they’ve gone down in who they’ve brought in.

Players that are tough, competitive, and don’t die alone have been introduced by Hull. Improvement is essential, even though no supporter or analyst would be crazy enough to claim that trophies are in store for this team. This club must continue to progress together, exhibiting the necessary qualities that rekindle pride, zeal, and similar emotions. It would be silly to discuss anything else until we receive that week in and week out, as it is Hull basis.