The Black and Whites are just a few weeks away from beginning their preparations for the 2027 campaign
Steve McNamara will start work at Hull FC in just a few weeks (Image: SW Pix)
Hull FC’s pre-season gets underway in just over three weeks’ time with November 2 being the date set for the club to begin their 2027 preparations.
That day is expected to be Steve McNamara’s first in charge of the club and with a new look back-room team of Scott Taylor and Josh Drinkwater alongside Andy Last, the head coach will be confident of being able to make progress over the coming months in west Hull.
The quartet will be in communication as preparations for day one are put in place and in the weeks leading up to FC’s return to their University training base, McNamara will be finalising his plans for the 12 weeks or so ahead.
Of course, so much is still to be confirmed, including the format of the Super League for next season and the schedule. However, we now know that Hull will be heading over to Headingley in late January to take on Leeds Rhinos in a pre-season friendly and provide the opposition for Ryan Hall’s testimonial game.
There’s a lot of hard work to be done between now and then though and Hull still have decisions to make when it comes to recruitment and their own players.
The Black and Whites have already signed eight players for next season with Max Wood expected to be another to join the club. More additions may well follow too, with Hull making it clear over the last two or three years that they are always ready and willing to pull the trigger on recruitment.
The feeling is that they are one or two men short in the pack and any further additions are likely to come there.
However, there are loose ends within their squad to be tied up too. Firstly, the most glaring issue facing Hull right now is the fact they currently have 11 overseas players within the group.
With only 10 allowed, something has to give in that respect in order for FC to adhere to Super League’s quota rules.
Of those overseas players, Aidan Sezer has been linked away from the club and isn’t expected to have a role to play next year. However, he remains at FC with no deal coming to fruition just yet.
Cade Cust has been offered to other clubs in recent months, while Sam Lisone is currently suspended due to an off the field incident. An internal investigation is underway there and a conclusion hasn’t been made public just yet, but an exit is certainly a possibility.
Indeed, FC have issues to resolve and the clock is ticking on those as we edge towards the first Monday in November.
The last thing McNamara will want is any disruptions or distractions as he sets about trying to turn his hometown club around and decisions need to be made one or way the other before too long.