Hull FC haven’t finished bottom of the league since the 1963/64 season.
Hull FC full-back Logan Moy.
Hull FC last finished bottom of the league 62 years ago – with the 1962/63 season the last time they were awarded the unwanted wooden spoon.
However, if they lose Super League’s basement battle at Huddersfield Giants this Thursday night, there’s a real chance of a grim-looking history repeat.
Currently sat four points above the Giants, a win would ease those fears, and being just a third from Hull’s last 15 games, it’d be most welcome.
And while this season has gone the opposite way from what was supposed to be one of further progress after last year’s seventh-place finish, motivation now is clear.
“It’s a big game for us,” interim coach Andy Last said pre-match. “We don’t want to finish bottom of the league, that’s for sure.
“It’s two competition points that are important for our supporters and for our club. It’s very important for us to get a strong performance and look to get a win.
“We’re confident. The mood in the camp has certainly lifted from last Friday and we’re looking forward to the challenge.
“We know the importance of it. We’re representing the town and we’re representing the club, but the big thing is we are representing ourselves and I think that’s an important message.
“Players have got reasons to play and represent themselves in the right sort of way, and that is something that I’ve reiterated this week.
“Like for Hugo (Salabio), he’s playing for an opportunity to either stay here at this club or put himself in the shop window to move somewhere else. So there are lots of different reasons to play and I know the players are motivated to represent themselves in the right way.”
Beaten in last week’s derby by Hull KR, Last has admitted he had to pick up the mood after a ninth consecutive loss to the Robins and has now insisted the pressure is on him – challenging his players to block the outside noise.
“The 24 hours after the derby were very flat, very low,” he said. “The review was a difficult one because the mood in camp was down.
“We invested a lot emotionally and mentally into the game and physically we invested a great deal. We give them some feedback on areas that we need to improve and areas that we did well.
“It’s always difficult after a derby, but the response from the guys on Monday was good. We trained well and the spirit was excellent. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
And on pressure, Last said: “The pressure’s on me, and that’s what I’ve said to the boys, to take the pressure away from them. They just need to perform to the best of their ability and focus on performance.
“Don’t worry about the outside noise, don’t worry about what the people are saying, don’t worry about what might be written and what’s said about us as a group.
“We know what we’re doing within the four walls. And I’ll take all that pressure because that’s what I have to do as the head coach. I just want the boys to go out there and express themselves and play confidently and free and put in a strong performance.”
As for Huddersfield, Last is expecting a tough challenge from a side who got their first win under Jim Lenihan at York last week.
“I was pleased for Jim,” Last added. “He’s had it tough at Huddersfield in his first few games and he’s suffered some defeats. We know we need to make sure that we’re at our best and put in a strong performance.”