Liam Knight’s Hull FC exit was in the works for weeks.
Former Hull FC prop Liam Knight.(Image: SW PIX)
John Cartwright has revealed that Liam Knight’s final game for Hull FC was planned after the club’s defeat to Wigan Warriors, with talks surrounding his future going as far back as Christmas.
Knight was mutually released by the Black and Whites over the weekend on compassionate grounds, with the player – who signed a new one-year deal last summer – feeling homesick after spending time away from fiancée Danika Mason and his Australian homeland.
In fact, Knight agreed to play one more game for Hull against York Knights last Friday night after admitting his ‘heart’ wasn’t in it following the Wigan defeat. He played a total of 22 games for the club after signing last March but has now opted for a return home.
“At his best he’ll leave a big hole but it’s been ongoing with Liam for a little while,” Cartwright said. “I’ve been chatting to him pretty much since Christmas time and he hasn’t been in a good place mentally, just being away from home.
“We put a timeline on it and we spoke after the game last week against Wigan and I could see that his heart and head were not over here. I fully understand where he’s coming from.
“It was a decision he had to make, whether he felt like he could give his best to the team and wanted to be here. And he was honest in the end.
“His heart and his head weren’t around spending the full season here and it was a pretty easy decision then. It doesn’t matter who you are; if your heart’s not in it, it’s too tough a game to play.”
The decision to mutually release Knight ahead of Hull’s game at Wakefield Trinity this Thursday night was softened somewhat with the incoming return of Ligi Sao, who has served his two-match suspension. James Bell also has a chance of playing, although a final decision is still to be made.
“We’ve got a few wounded in the middle,” Cartwright continued. “We decided pretty much after the Wigan game that if we could get another game out of Liam and try to go out on a winning note, then we would get troops back the following week. He did that but we didn’t get the win, unfortunately.
“He has left on good terms, though. He was a popular member of the team and I’m sure everyone understands the reasons for him going.”
Of course, Knight’s exit gives Hull salary cap space and a quota spot to use back into the squad. They are also expected to get salary cap dispensation following a season-ending injury to Will Pryce. Both situations give the club options to go at, but as for what direction Hull go in now, they won’t rush into anything.
“We won’t rush,” Cartwright added. “There are a lot of things you have to weigh up. How much is there to spend? Who’s available? Do you use it on an import? Do you look for an English recruit? There are a lot of things. The worst thing you can do in these situations is jump in.”