Exclusive: The Hull FC chairman has thanked fans for their support this year ahead of a new era at the club.
Hull FC owner Andrew Thirkill.(Image: Hull FC )
Hull FC chairman Andrew Thirkill has paid a heartfelt tribute to the club’s supporters following the conclusion of the 2026 season, saying he and co-owner David Hood have been humbled by their loyalty and backing throughout the year.
The Black and Whites brought their campaign to a close with victory away at Leeds Rhinos on Friday night, backed by well over 1,700 travelling supporters at Headingley.
Despite a disappointing season on the field, which saw Hull finish 11th in Super League, the club’s supporters have continued to follow the team in remarkable numbers.
More than 1,500 travelled to Perpignan last month, while several hundred made the journey to Toulouse as Hull travelled to the South of France twice in the space of just three weeks.
At home, Hull have more than 9,600 members and averaged 13,119 supporters at the MKM Stadium during 2026 – their highest average attendance since 2010. That included 16,653 for the opening-round fixture against Bradford Bulls and a season-high crowd of 18,809 for the derby against Hull KR.
Thirkill said both he and Hood had been deeply appreciative of the support shown throughout a difficult campaign. He told Hull Live: “The support we have received this season has been quite extraordinary.
“David and I genuinely believe Hull FC have the most loyal supporters in Super League. I don’t say that lightly. What they have done this year, particularly when the results on the field have not been what any of us wanted, says everything about their commitment to this club.
“Whether it is more than 1,500 people travelling to Catalans, hundreds going back to the South of France again for Toulouse, or the numbers following us to places like Castleford and Leeds on a Friday night, the loyalty is quite remarkable.
“And then to average more than 13,000 at home – our highest average attendance for 16 years – is something everyone associated with Hull FC should be enormously proud of.
“There have been occasions this season when I have looked at the number of supporters who have travelled and genuinely felt that we haven’t given them the performances their support deserves.
“We understand that responsibility. These supporters care deeply about Hull FC and so do we.
“I came into the club as an owner, but I am now very much a Hull FC supporter myself. You quickly understand just how much this club means to people, to families and to the city.
“David, Richie and I simply want to say thank you. Thank you for travelling, thank you for turning up at the MKM, thank you for your patience and, above all, thank you for standing behind the club. We will never take that support for granted.”
Looking ahead to 2027, Hull will enter a new era under incoming head coach Steve McNamara, with recruitment headlined by the arrival of Daly Cherry-Evans.
Thirkill continued: “We know there is still a huge amount of hard work ahead of us, but we are enormously excited about what Steve will bring to Hull FC.
“He has already had a major influence. Steve was crucial in helping us bring Daly Cherry-Evans to the club, which is a hugely significant signing for Hull FC and Super League.
“If you had asked me originally whether we could sign a player of Daly’s stature, I would probably have said we had very little chance. Steve’s reputation, his relationships in Australia and the direction he wants to take the club were instrumental in making it happen.
“But before we start talking about next season, David and I wanted to recognise the people who have stood behind us throughout this one.
“Hull FC is a very special club because of its supporters. Their loyalty has been humbling, and on behalf of all of us, I simply want to say a very sincere thank you.”