Hull FC have turned around their fortunes this year, and it’s all centred on one thing: belief.
There was an eyebrow or two raised this week when Hull FC confirmed they submitted an application to retain their Super League place for 2026.
For the avoidance of doubt, it’s expected to be a formality that they will be one of the top 12 rated IMG clubs and play a 29th consecutive season in the top flight next year, but if anything, it showed the journey they’re on, where they’ve come from, and what’s still ahead.
In the midst of a rebuild, Hull don’t shy away from reality. They’ve been resurgent this year, but there’s still a long, long way to go. After all, last year was one of Hull’s worst ever seasons in almost 160 years of Black and Whites history, with the club finishing 11th in Super League and slipping to 10th in the IMG rankings.
But now they’re led from the top by ambitious owners Andrew Thirkill and David Hood, and they’re on their way back up. They’ve made significant progress this term and expect now to get back their Grade A score with IMG. That would be a good return, with off-field progress mirroring that on the pitch – progress that still sees Hull in the mix for a finals finish with four rounds of the season to go.
That reality isn’t lost on head coach John Cartwright, who has played his part in what has been a collective effort this year.
“We’ve given ourselves a good chance to play finals football,” Cartwright, speaking ahead of Saturday’s huge match against Leeds Rhinos, said. “When the season’s over, we’ll dissect it.
“There will be people that will judge us on whether we make the finals or we don’t, but what’s more important is that when we sit down, take a breath, and dissect the season, we have an idea of how we think we’ve gone and how we can improve.
“But I certainly believe that we are capable of finishing in the top six – I’ve said it many times that we are capable of beating anyone. We’ve shown enough qualities now to get ourselves into games, but like I keep saying, the resolve in defence and the connection of our players always give me confidence going into a game.”
Hull’s belief has been there from the start this year, and it’s all part of an evolved mentality. Last season was quickly put in the past, with any negative energy drained out. And with big experienced players brought in, not to mention coaching and backroom additions to drive standards, it wasn’t going to be any different. That, as much as anything, has been the key to a brighter season.
“I can only comment on what I’ve seen since I’ve been here, but I’ve been happy right from the get-go,” Cartwright continued. “I know a lot changed from last year when I first started.
“The club recognised some shortcomings that they had to address and I think we’ve addressed them as best as we possibly can. Moving forward, I know Andrew and David are keen to keep progressing the club. We have done as the year has unfolded; we’ve signed players for now and we’ve signed players for next year as well. We just need to keep looking to improve.
“But there’s been buy-in from everyone. The players are learning from the players that are around them and there were some standards that were set at the beginning of the year regarding training.
“You’ve got to keep addressing them and make sure you stay consistent with them, but they make it easy for coaches. They’ve been driving those standards and I haven’t had a hiccup at all throughout the season – you’re never perfect and you always want to be better, but as far as player-driven standards go, we’ve had no complaints. It’s been a pleasure to be involved with them.”
There’s been no secret to Hull’s resurgence this year. In fact, everything they do is based on hard work, grit, and effort, but amid the pride and the like, there really is a strong desire to get better. To do that, there’s no magic wand; it’s just more of the same minerals.
“It’s a matter of turning up every week and continuing to do it,” Cartwright explained. “There are a lot of sides that can have a good performance and then they can flag pretty heavily.
“We don’t want to be one of those teams. We’ve had a few stages like that; we’ve had results and then some that are just not acceptable, but I think we’ve been pretty consistent of late.
“It’s not something you can wave a magic wand at and get right; it’s about building and we’re building nicely. It’s been a real challenge with players coming in and out in key positions but we keep boxing on. That’s all we can keep asking of the players.”
Boxing on is what Hull will do against Leeds. They gave everything amid some tough circumstances at St Helens last week, and they just came up short. And now they go again at the MKM Stadium, injury-hit or not, but with belief in the 17 that will take to the field.
“After every game, it all starts again,” Cartwright added. “It doesn’t matter what happened against them last time. It doesn’t matter what we did last week either – it’s a whole new occasion, and both physically and mentally, we have to start all over again. That’s the challenge and the good side answers that every week. We have to be consistent there.
“It’s a massive game. It’s a bit of a local derby; it’s not KR, but they’re rivals and they’re a very big club with a big following. Hopefully, we can fill the ground out and create a big atmosphere, and then I’m sure our boys will then give the fans something to cheer about.”