It’s been a tough run for Hull FC and Andy Last.
Hull FC’s Will Pryce with interim coach Andy Last.
Andy Last has admitted the Hull FC hotseat has been a ‘lonely place’ this summer, especially given his ‘professional duty not to say too much’ amid a tough situation that has seen the Black and Whites win just two of their last 15 matches.
Taking charge after John Cartwright’s removal on an interim basis until the end of the 2026 season, Last has been dealt a tough hand at the Black and Whites, with injuries and poor performances derailing any chance of a play-off finish and the campaign seemingly written off with all eggs put into the 2027 basket under incoming head coach Steve McNamara.
Sat second from bottom, Hull are on a six-game losing run ahead of Thursday’s game against Super League basement side Huddersfield Giants, with Last outlining the challenges he’s faced over the last three months.
“It’s a lonely place, sometimes,” Last, speaking after Thursday’s derby defeat to Hull KR, said. “Coaches reach out. I spoke about it when we played Leigh away last time. The late John Kear messaged me and just said, ‘Keep your chin up.’
“And then a fellow colleague lost his job in Paul Rowley (dismissed by St Helens). I messaged Rowls and just said, ‘You’re a good coach. Stick in there.’
“You get judged sometimes unfairly; people don’t realise the impact of all of the injuries and what goes on beyond the scenes. You have a professional duty sometimes not to say too much. It is a tough job, but it is one that I love.
“I love this club and that’s never been in question, but it is challenging. We’ve got a welfare man who is one of my closest friends in Gaz Ellis. He normally has a can of Coke waiting for me when we’ve done these press conferences.
“We have a little chat and air things out to each other. There’s lots of support. The club have been supportive. They know how tough it is. They know the challenges we’re facing.”
However, despite the tough nature of 2026, Last is staying positive at what’s to come, with McNamara overseeing a restructure of the performance departments, including the playing squad and the backroom staff, ahead of next season.
“The big thing for me is there is a lot of positivity moving forward,” Last said. “I’ve just got to ride out this rough water in the eye of the storm. There’s always going to be a break in the clouds and the sun will shine again.
“It’s tough, but there are a lot harder jobs out there and sometimes things get put into perspective, like young Scott Dureau; that was a massive shock (passed away from cancer).
“He was a great player for Catalans, and he lost his life at 39 years old. It’s not life and death. It’s disappointing, and I’m gutted (with the derby loss), and I’ll kick some stones, but then you’ve got to dust yourself down and get ready to go again, be positive, and put on a brave face, as that is what comes with the territory of being a head coach.”