John Cartwright faced the media for the first time since his Hull FC departure was confirmed.
Hull FC head coach John Cartwright.(Image: SW PIX)
John Cartwright has stated he feels ‘betrayed and disrespected’ by Hull FC, who confirmed last Tuesday through CEO Richie Myler that the head coach will leave the club at the end of the season.
Cartwright, into his second year at Hull after taking over ahead of the 2025 season, has put on record that ‘no reason has been provided by the club’ as to why the Australian will be relieved of his duties.
In an explosive press conference ahead of Thursday’s Super League game against St Helens, Cartwright gave a brutally honest verdict on how he feels he has been treated, pulling no punches in his assessment.
The Aussie confirmed that the decision was 100% on the club’s side and that he intends to see out the full 2026 season as stated last week. There are still 20 rounds to go.
“The club have come to a decision that they would part ways at the end of my current contract and that a six-month termination clause would be exercised,” Cartwright said. “That’s pretty much how it happened.
“I still haven’t been given a reason, to be honest with you. I don’t know. I have asked and I expect to sit down with someone in the not too distant future.
“When people know the facts, they can make their own mind up. For me, I probably feel a little bit betrayed and disrespected.
“I’ll still do my job. I won’t do anything that will put that at risk. You ask me questions and I’ll tell you the answer. That’s where that sits. My loyalty and my bond with the players are something that can never be taken away.
“It took me totally by surprise. If you lose six in a row, you might feel they’d be a tap on the shoulder, but there was none of that.”
Asked if there’s been any disagreement with the board, namely Richie Myler or owner Andrew Thirkill, Cartwright said: “There have been a few little things but nothing major.
“It’s a game based on a lot of opinion, and when there are differing opinions, I’m not one to stand back. At the end of the day, the results pretty much come down to the coach; good results and you keep your job and bad results and you don’t.
“I’ve had a say on certain things, but I wouldn’t say it was anything different from what other coaches, owners, and CEOs go through.”
Meanwhile, Cartwright held the news he’d be departing Hull FC for a full week. In fact, the Aussie prepared his players for the derby game after being told the news five days before.
“I found out on the Monday before the derby,” Cartwright told Hull Live. “It was tough; we didn’t talk to them (the players) about it until a few days after the game.
“It wasn’t easy, but at the end of the day your job is to get your team ready. I’m professional enough and proud enough to know that no one was any wiser, staff or players.”
Addressing his players last Tuesday, Cartwright dropped the bombshell before a collective call was made not to train. The players then returned as normal on Saturday, preparing for Thursday’s game against St Helens.
“It was an emotional meeting, I suppose, when I addressed the players,” Cartwright said. “The coaches left the room and the players decided to stay.
“In all honesty, it just wasn’t the type of atmosphere where a training session would have been any value. I decided we were going to call the session off.
“I think the players had some grievances that they wanted to talk about, and I don’t know if they have been addressed, either.
“I won’t put the players at risk, but we got back together on Saturday. Everything went back to normal on Saturday, and we’re getting ready for St Helens.”