Hull FC fell to their fourth defeat in five matches as they were taken apart at home by an injury-ravaged Leigh Leopards side, losing 54-4 in one of the club’s worst defeats in Super League history.
It’s unsurprisingly led to many supporters to call for change, with head coach Tony Smith now facing an uphill task to turn things around and get one of the country’s biggest rugby league clubs back on track.
Owner Adam Pearson is also now under increasing pressure, with supporters turning on the man who has invested so heavily in the club over the years and led them to back-to-back Challenge Cup triumphs in 2016 and 2017.
Hull FC destroyed by Leigh Leopards
The Black and Whites only win this season came in round three as they edged out newly-promoted London Broncos with a late try, a victory they backed up with a spirited performance away against last season’s Grand Final runners-up Catalans Dragons.
Despite defeat in the South of France last week, Hull put in a gutsy performance which led many to fancy their chances of beating a Leigh side who had lost their first three games of the season and were struggling with injuries.
But the Challenge Cup holders dismantled the Airlie Birds, leaving FC’s loyal fans fuming at full time after an embarrassing showing against a Leopards side who were the outsiders for victory before kick-off.
Hull supporters have since taken to social media to call for big changes at the club, with head coach Smith and long-time owner Adam Pearson coming under fire for the woeful performance and poor start to the season.
Only chance of more points is against cas
Will finish season with less then 10 points
Players not good enough
Coach not good enough
If this was my business I would shut up shop and walk away— Steve B-H (@stevebryhart) March 16, 2024
Flat in attack, slow in defence, clueless recruitment. Hate to say this because I wanted Smith to work out so much but the buck stops with him. Smith out
— Luke Medcalf (@medcalf_luke) March 16, 2024
Clear out after clear out and yet the same old disgraceful performances. Where was the desire from last week to tackle? Worst team in the league for a number of seasons
— Danielle Gay (@dangayhfc65) March 16, 2024
Put Grix in charge now. Let Tony go. We have no money, so that is our best hope. If we cannot pay Carlos off, he should never play again. To drop Martin for him today was a disgrace to start with. We near enough had our 1 to 13 out today barring 2, shows how far we have fallen.
— Glenn Smurthwaite (@GlennSmurth) March 16, 2024
Absolutely embarrassing performance to say the least. Defence is soft and pathetic, the odd 1 or 2 players actually look like they care. Club is in a state
— Logan Bennett (@lbenno07) March 16, 2024
How do we have such a toxic culture at this club that regardless of who the coach is or what players we bring in it keeps ending up the same way with embarrassing effort and no real identity as a side? I keep buying a pass because its my club but I've not enjoyed it for 5÷ years
— Andy Robbins (@Airlie_Andy) March 16, 2024
My season pass has gone up for the first season in x season can someone tell me what I’ve seen for it, feel like I’ve been robbed. AP doesn’t sound interested, smith the same and the players are the worst players I’ve seen in 10+ years in a black and white shirt
— SamNorton (@samnort95) March 16, 2024
Well now the calls come Smith out Pearson out for me the players need to take a look at themselves as well ,honestly don't know the answer ,but don't expect huge player changes we have to stick with it for this season
— Clive Slade (@clive_slade) March 16, 2024
Need a new owner has this one has made it rotten to the core since the challenge cups success.
— Gavin Benecke (@GavinBenecke) March 16, 2024
Shouldn’t be seeing this score . Massive club are Fc. Seem to get worse as each year passes as an onlooker.
— James Harvey (@J_Harvey10) March 16, 2024
Lousy recruitment
Long injury list
Weak tackling
Badly run club.
Same every year— Marcus Rainsbury-Melish (@MelishMarcus) March 16, 2024
Where do Hull FC go from here?
It’s the question on everyone’s lips after the nine-try thumping at the hands of Leigh on Saturday afternoon, with head coach Tony Smith, who has been constantly backed by the club’s fan base, now facing questions.
There is no doubt Smith took on a tough job at Hull, but despite promising signs last season, they ultimately fell well short of competing at the top end of Super League and there were hopes this season may bring more hope.
But that hope has all but diminished among the Olf Faithful now, with this defeat a sure sign that FC are way off the pace. It’s a defeat that leaves many questioning the heart, despite and passion rather than the quality.
The club’s recruitment has been called into question throughout in recent times, with the squad that took to the field in the first game of this season looking, on paper anyway, not much better than the one that underachieved for most of the last campaign.
So it begs the question, what direction are Hull FC going in? It’s a question few people can answer and there seems to be little idea from those in charge who appear to be living off past successes at this stage.
This defeat to Leigh is only going to turn up the heat on an ownership team, coaching group and set of players who look out of their depth representing one of the country’s biggest rugby league clubs.
