Analysis: What next for Hull FC?

By IAN JUDSON

IT IS often said that Hull FC are a big club due to their resources and their absolutely committed fanbase.

But this is looking increasingly like a falsehood, especially after their latest defeat to bottom-of-the table Huddersfield Giants which officially dragged them into the battle to avoid the Betfred Super League wooden spoon!

It cannot be argued that the Old Faithful aren’t indeed exactly what it says they are: they are absolutely faithful.

And no doubt they will continue to be, long beyond this article. But being committed is one thing … they are also a very knowledgeable bunch which comes naturally with years …  decades of supporting their team.

Even through the car crash of the 2024 season they still turned up in five-figure numbers every week at the MKM Stadium and were – and still are – arguably the best supported side away from home in Super League.

Some may point out that I am myself indeed one of the Old Faithful. I have been since I was the proverbial knee-high to a grasshopper. But for the purposes of this article, this is Ian the RFL accredited journalist, trying to look at this from the point of view of people outside of that almost legendary group of supporters.

And as a journalist, I believe the Black and White Army (there’s certainly enough of them to be termed an army) deserve a whole lot better than they are currently getting from their club.

Indeed, after the defeat at the Accu Stadium, one supporter felt the need, however tongue in cheek it may have been, to say “We’ve had more statements than wins this season” on social media, which just struck me as being desperately sad.

In 2024 the Airlie Birds only managed three wins all season. So far this year they have only had five.

But for me personally, this season feels every bit as bad as two years ago – maybe even worse because the money has been spent on bringing in new talent, the youth development continues to flourish.

But without using as many players as in 2024, this year we are not seeing the starting squad taken apart to the lengths that it was to save costs that year, when the likes of Tex Hoy and Nu Brown among others were released early as the club effectively did what other clubs do in pre-season, actually during the season.

That is: put their faith in the not-insignificant talent in their academy and reserves, albeit far too early in their development.

Unfortunately, what they have done during this season – which should definitely have waited until the end of the season – is they released the news that head coach John Cartwright would not have his contract renewed at the end of this season.

Thar put Cartwright, a very popular coach and a very steadying influence, in an absolutely shocking and untenable position, which duly led to him departing the club. Assistant coach Andy Last took over in the weird situation of already knowing that he was only in temporary charge before being succeeded by Steve McNamara at the end of the season.

In the meantime, it is known that McNamara is already having an influence on bringing in new faces for next season, with certain players reported elsewhere as having been signed. This although there is nothing official from the club yet except for Ethan O’Neill who has already been signed on a permanent basis from Leeds Rhinos. There are also obvious questions being asked on whether loan-player Max Wood will make his switch from Warrington permanent when the current Wolves assistant coach returns to his hometown club.

I will, of course, write my season review about the Airlie Birds next month after they finish a miserable season away to current league-leaders Leeds at AMT Headingley.

But I already know roughly what I’m going to be writing, in that – with the overriding factor being the inevitable ‘must do better’ moving forward.

However the moving forward part of that feels very hollow right now, because Hull undoubtedly did move forward last season after what they subjected their supporters to in 2024.

But this season you can take all those steps forward they made last season, wipe them all out and put them in again as backwards steps this season. It has been nothing short of catastrophic.

Having the access that I have at press conferences and matches to players and coaching staff, I have seen first-hand what this season has done to some of them.

And I promise you, it isn’t pretty.

But as a journalist I also have to say that I am as fed-up as all the fans out there at hearing about training well, looking forward to challenges – which at this point seem insurmountable – and about how the team can improve … before they let everybody down again on the pitch.

I also know from fans with whom I have been interacting that patience is wearing extremely thin. They are sick of the long list of excuses that are ushered forth after yet another defeat.

These fans tell me they are dealing in a cost of living crisis and yet continue to buy season passes, match tickets and merchandise.

But one caveat I would put there is: with two trips to France incoming in the next few weeks, it’s anybody’s guess as to how many supporters will be travelling to support them in Perpignan and Toulouse. And even with free coach travel, I wouldn’t expect the usual huge numbers to travel across the Pennines to St. Helens on Thursday night.

Hull need to give their supporters something – anything – that they can believe in during these last few weeks of the season.

They need to win games and I would suggest they need to announce some genuine statement signings as soon as possible if they want the Old Faithful to buy in to what they are genuinely trying to achieve.

At the same time, the fans need to remember that Andrew Thirkill and David Hood OBE are financing a recovery behind the scenes and they are still not taking a wage out of the club. Everything they are doing right now, they are doing for the good of the club.

It has to be said that certain players at the club – including some who have been brought in from elsewhere – are simply not good enough for Hull FC to compete where they want to be.

And I am very aware that actions are being taken to remedy that and give the supporters the belief and the success they crave. I also know for a fact that Hull’s problems have only been exacerbated by the success of their noisy neighbours.

I know the vast majority of the Old Faithful are just counting down the days to the end of this thoroughly disastrous season, a season which could still get worse by finishing bottom of Super League.

And trust me: if they do, I do absolutely believe they should be relegated although I know they can’t be as a Grade A Club.

but by the same token, I also know of the ridiculously hard work going on behind the scenes which I know is of little or no comfort to the supporters.

But I promise: that work will bear fruit in the near future (just don’t ask me to make wildly confident predictions for the 2027 season at this stage) and will genuinely improve this apparently sleeping giant’s fortunes in the medium and the long term.

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