Richie Myler talks to Dan Tomlinson about the departure of John Cartwright, appointment of Steve McNamara, last week’s boos, and moving on with the 2026 season.
Hull FC CEO Richie Myler.(Image: SW PIX)
“Get behind us.” The message from Hull FC CEO Richie Myler ahead of Friday’s game at Castleford Tigers.
The Black and Whites are looking to move on after a turbulent couple of weeks that have seen John Cartwright ‘step down’ and be placed on gardening leave, Andy Last put in interim charge, and Steve McNamara appointed for the 2027 season and beyond.
Meeting the Hull FC players on Tuesday, Myler, who was booed by sections of the home crowd against St Helens last Thursday night, believes the squad are fully committed now for the rest of the 2026 season and is calling for unity throughout the club, with the number one priority being Hull FC.
“We need to draw a line in the sand now and move on,” Myler, speaking to Hull Live, said. “The team needs the support and we all move forward together. Ultimately, the number one focus has to be Hull FC. It’s paramount.
“There is a lot still to play for this year and I believe this group are very much committed to Hull FC. They know they have got a great opportunity in front of them, and I think that commitment will be there. When you put this Hull FC badge on, you have to be all in, and I believe they are.
“There’s no sign for me, from anybody, that that’s not the case. We’re all moving forward together. Again, we draw a line in the sand now, and our focus just has to be on the rest of the season.”
Addressing the boos, Myler continued: “I was disappointed by it, but I understood it in the sense and upon reflection, that people asked for a bit of clarity. I don’t think anyone doesn’t understand the decision to bring Steve in; I think people’s frustrations were on the communication and I’ve tried to clarify that.
“We had to act and we’ve gone and done that. We couldn’t say anything publicly about Steve due to contract situations and everything going on, but it was disappointing.
“It was disappointing for the ownership. They have put an awful lot of support into this club and every move that they are making is to help this club and help the west side of Hull and give them a successful rugby team, so for them, it was disappointing. There was a level of frustration there.”
In a nutshell, the decision to move Cartwright on was not necessarily down to Cartwright but to the availability of McNamara. Myler believes the club had to act now, with the Hull-born coach set to be hot property given the developments of coaches within the Super League competition, namely at Hull KR and his current club Warrington Wolves.
“It’s not about me or any individual,” Myler said. “The ultimate decision is what’s best for Hull FC in the short term, medium term, and long term.
“This is a medium- to long-term decision that I think is in the best interests of Hull FC and ultimately has an impact for somebody, emotionally, in the short term, but for us, the priority and decision are for the betterment of the club.
“A lot has been made about it being a John Cartwright decision, but it was more centred around the availability of Steve McNamara, and ultimately, it was an opportunity we had to take.
“Steve is an elite-level coach. I’ve worked with Steve before and I know how methodical he is and the fine details he coaches with. He’s exactly what we need.
“The timing of it was clear for him. It was all about the opportunity and it’s the right move for the club going forward. That’s why we had to act the way we did.
“John has been a good appointment for the club. He came in at a time when the club was in a really precocious position. He stabilised and brought a connection to a team and fan base. You could see that in the performances. We are a much tougher team to beat. However, we still need lots of improvement and this is a move that I feel can help us get on that path quicker.”
McNamara will join Hull ahead of 2027 on an initial four-year deal – and will be backed by the board throughout his tenure at the Black and Whites to get the best results for the club.
“We know the task ahead of ourselves,” Myler said. “This club was in a really predaceous position 18 months ago. I feel bringing someone like Steve into the club, with his leadership and his management, will be a massive progression forward for the club.
“We’ve got a long road ahead of us still, but I believe on the back of what John has done and the grit and determination he has instilled that we are in a good position to take the next step forward.
“We need to do some work in some areas, we know that, but we haven’t had those conversations yet with Steve. They are in their infancy but he will challenge the board and get the best for Hull FC. We’ll keep talking over the next few weeks and months and I’m sure we’ll have a bit more clarity on what everybody’s role is and the areas that we need to improve.”
Clarifying Cartwright’s current position, which has seen the Australian coach placed on gardening leave, Myler continued: “John has a visa situation. If he’s not in employment, he has to leave the country. Jed (Cartwright, son) is about to have a baby with his partner and there’s a human side of us. That’s part of the reason why John is still employed at the club.
“John had our support until the end of the season. That was what we reiterated to him on several occasions. Our intention was for John to coach until the end of the year and that was still the case after the press conference.
“Yes, it was an emotional time, and John had an emotional reaction to it. However, we were all going to do a professional job and move forward together. That wasn’t going to change until the change at the St Helens game. It had become about something else, and effectively, we all needed to move on. The sole priority needs to be Hull FC.”
Andy Last will now lead that priority this Friday night, with the side heading to West Yorkshire to take on Castleford Tigers. He is also expected to stay on under McNamara next season.
“Andy is under contract next year,” Myler said. “He’s also worked together with Steve before. Most of the staff are under contract until the end of 2027.
“It’s all about this season now. I think we’ve got a very talented team in that group. We recruited very positively in the off-season, I thought. Yes, we’ve had injuries, but I believe we’re still in a good position.
“We’ve got a couple of loan players in. Harry (Newman) gets a second game for us. I thought he was great for us last week and Jeremiah (Mata’utia) coming in is another big body that helps the loss of Sam Lisone.
“I’m excited to see what some of the younger players can do as well and take their opportunity. I think Logan (Moy) has taken his opportunity well and hopefully, there are a few more that get a chance to push themselves to the front.
“That’s the whole point. That’s why we invest so highly in our academy and our pathway programmes. It’s well funded and well backed, and it’s the model that’s been successful over a period of time.
“Of course, we are still looking at bringing in other players as well. That never stops. Recruitment is 24/7 and always ongoing. We’ll do the best for this season as well as looking ahead to next year, but in terms of what we can still do this year, I don’t think we’re too far off.”