Derek Beaumont slams ‘desperate’ Hull FC for ‘poor conduct and standards’

The first major piece of transfer news ahead of the 2025 season broke yesterday with Hull FC confirming the signing of Leigh Leopards’ captain John Asiata on a three-year deal. Derek Beaumont has now reacted to the news labelling FC ‘desperate’ whilst slamming their conduct.

Murmurs and reports of John Asiata making the switch to Hull FC began to start before Hull FC then dropped the bombshell and confirmed the three-year deal, for which Asiata is reported to be earning £220,000 per year, per Rugby League Live’s Matt Shaw.

It’s a whopping figure and one that has seen Derek Beaumont claim is a sign of a “desperate” club.

Derek Beaumont explains why May 1st is a myth

The transfer was the first major one reported after the May 1st deadline at which teams can begin to negotiate with out-of-contract players, however, Beaumont has lifted the lid and said that the whole concept of not tampering before the deadline is a myth.

Addressing fans ahead of Leigh’s game against Castleford Tigers, Derek Beaumont explained: “The 1st of May deadline is actually a completely pointless thing. As clubs, owners and CEOs, we all agreed at the latest meeting that we should just eradicated that and it’s fair game.

“Once a player goes into the final year of the contract then anybody can start negotiating because it’s what happens anyway. It seems odd to have this rule that makes it seem like you’re doing something naughty, but if you don’t do it then you’re disadvantaged.”

He even confirmed that Leigh had signed players, including from today’s opponents Castleford Tigers, noting: “So, that deadline has kind of been removed but it was a deadline to work towards so Chezzie (Chris Chester, Director of Rugby) would be getting players done. We’ve signed players that we’ve not announced yet, other clubs have signed players.

“There’s a player that has been signed from here (Castleford) that has not been announced by the club because that’s the correct etiquette.”

However, he has used that as an example to slam Hull FC for the way that they have dealt with the John Asiata transfer.

“Desperate people do desperate things” – Beaumont fires shots at Richie Myler and Hull FC

After confirming that Leigh have signed a player from Castleford, Derek Beaumont explained that it’s information that remains private before arguing Hull FC had thrown John Asiata under the bus.

He said: “The business remains private, if it gets leaked like the John Asiata one did then you don’t comment on it, respond to it or acknowledge it.

“To see John thrown under the bus by the club he’s going to go to, which is what Hull FC have done in my opinion by putting that picture of him out holding the cup, with words that I think have been provided by his agent rather than him. It’s not really good behaviour at all.”

Incredibly, his rant wasn’t finished as he continued: “Desperate people do desperate things and that’s what I kind of put it down to because they look pretty desperate.

“Obviously what came out with his comments doesn’t look good on John but that’s a measure of the type of club and the standards that they seem to be prepared to set themselves on conduct.”

You can see the full video here.