Hull FC restored their pride in 2025. Now it’s time to kick on.
HULL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 10: Hull FC’s Lewis Martin celebrates scoring his side’s first try with Will Pryce
during the Betfred Super League Round 21 match between Hull FC and Salford Red Devils at MKM Stadium on August 10, 2025 in Hull, England. (Photo by Lee Parker – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Hull FC restored pride in the Black and White jersey this season. The challenge now is to ensure 2026 is the year where they kick on.
For a club resurgent both on and off the field, that’s the next step of the journey, and Hull, out of the darkness and into the light, are not sitting still. A club that always attracts a level of curiosity, they’ve made several new signings once again and have undergone a pretty hefty sequence of retention, with the goals to not only crack the Super League play-offs but also reach the top four. The ambition is high.
For Hull, who will enter another year surrounded by mystique, next season is all about taking strides forward, with evolvement key. That’s the challenge, and while making the play-offs would be continued progress from this season, making the top four would be astronomical. But there’s no harm in setting their sights high, so long as words are backed up with actions. That was the case this year, and after a dismal 2024, one of the worst in the club’s entire 160-year history, Hull made progress.
On the field, the squad took the fight to the final round, showing grit, desire, and resilience every week, and while there is natural disappointment to just miss out on the play-offs, pride was certainly restored. Hull, who also rekindled their connection to their supporters and who held a thorough community presence all season, can hold their heads up high.
In fact, given where they’ve come from, there has to be context and an acceptance of reality – especially as the side dwindled to a woeful 11th-place finish last year with just three wins to their name. To even comprehend a play-off finish this season was out of the question for many, but under a new head coach in John Cartwright, Hull quickly pulled together and based their campaign off the connection and togetherness built in pre-season.
Ultimately, they didn’t get what they desired internally, but externally, they defied expectations. It shows how quickly standards have risen. There’s no accepting mediocrity these days, and Hull have both the drive and ambition to be successful – they want more.
Unfortunately, some bad results have been their undoing, but there have also been some serious highs along the way. Double wins on the road at Catalans and Wigan, not to mention triumphs at Wakefield and Leigh, showed the improvement, while the form eventually transferred to their home ground against Wakefield, Leigh, and Warrington – the latter with half the cap sat in the stands and with 12 club-produced players on show.
And it was all done regardless of who went down to injury. Hull, even with some gutting season-ending blows to John Asiata, Will Pryce, Liam Knight, Herman Ese’ese, and co., kept on going. They showed resilience, resolve, and a never-say-die attitude – pillars to build on as they move forward into the future.
But once again, the test now is to kick on. There are new faces set to arrive, and Hull’s recruitment has been strategic, with the pack bolstered as well as new spine and outside back additions. Such recruitment keeps the squad fresh with depth and competition added. It keeps hunger alive, particularly with a group of emerging young players who will now look to follow on from Harvey Barron, Davy Litten, and Lewis Martin and force their way into the team.
The Hull-born trio have been outstanding this year and take their places on merit as three of the club’s most talented players. In fact, their achievements are even getting recognised outside of the Black and Whites camp, with Martin named in the Dream Team and nominated for Young Player of the Year. His sky has no ceiling.
Hull will now hope to grow their mixture – youth and experience – with senior players leading the way for young aspiring talent. It’s a recipe that had its successes in 2025 – none more so than from Zak Hardaker and Aidan Sezer – and one that, with the required hard work and patience, can bear fruit again. In some cases, it’s all about timing, but in others, they’ll be slamming on Cartwright’s door as they look to force their way in.
That’s a testament to the club and what they are trying to build. They want to do it all from within, adding the right recruitment and retention along the way. It’s been a desire, a dream, if you like, made years ago, but one slowly coming to fruition. The goals now will be to keep them on the field alongside their most prominent stars. That is key, with Hull knowing they must maximise injury prevention and give themselves the best chance of fielding their strongest team to make ambition a reality.
And while the reviews and debriefs continue, the test begins now to try and kick on and reach that next level. It’s easier said than done, but throughout the hierarchy – from Andrew Thirkill to Richie Myler to John Cartwright, his staff, and the players – there is a drive to make it happen. For the club, it’s very much about moving forward and, most importantly, doing it together. Onwards and upwards.