Hull FC sprung an upset on Friday night by beating Catalans Dragons 24-4, shortly after the club’s squad, recent investment and 2025 expectations were assessed by two leading pundits.
Sky Sports duo Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Jon Wilkin gave their thoughts on the Black and Whites in respect to how they will go in 2025 following a huge recruitment overhaul, with Wilkin particularly focusing on the new owners.
Hull FC saw long-time owner and chairman Adam Pearson depart in the off-season with ex-Leeds Rhinos president Andrew Thirkill taking over alongside businessman David Hood.
Thirkill is among the richest men in both Yorkshire and the country with an estimated wealth of around £175 million meaning that Hull FC now have a wealthy benefactor with plenty of business acumen, something that will hopefully bring about a new era of success.
Success certainly wasn’t seen often at the MKM Stadium in 2024 with Hull FC winning just three times all year, marking the club’s lowest-ever win percentage in their long history.
Speaking prior to their win over Catalans, which Jamie Jones-Buchanan tipped, the ex-Leeds Rhinos man and Jon Wilkin assessed the off-season of change and what it means for Hull FC in 2025.
Pundits pick apart Hull FC squad issues with investment and expectations discussed
Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Jones-Buchanan picked out the recruitment both on and off the field as the key for how the Black and Whites go with a former Leeds Rhinos man highlighted.
He said: “They’ve brought in a lot of players. I’m really looking forward to how Aidan Sezer grabs hold of that club. There’s lots of little pairings in that group.
“The backroom staff have worked at other clubs and they’re really excited about where Hull FC can go but these type of projects take years.”
Whilst the project may take years, the success on the pitch was immediate and Sezer was one of those to impress with head coach John Cartwright picking him out for huge praise.
Jordan Rapana was another who impressed and the Kiwi was one of those who Jon Wilkin picked out as he hailed the recruitment before pointing to the major issue it has left in the Hull FC squad.
“Rapana is a renowned finisher and a competitor,” Wilkin explained, noting: “What I think Hull have done well is sign experience to go with a very young crop of players.
“I think John Cartwright would admit the gap is in the middle of their squad. They’re either 19 or 20 or 35 or 36, the bit in the middle is where they’re in trouble. There’s not enough of those players in the meat of their career.”
One thing he was certain on was that the takeover was required as he backed it to help ensure that Hull FC get back to “where they should be” in time.
Wilkin argued: “Hood and Thirkill have come in and they needed to. Adam Pearson with all due respect cut his cloth accordingly last year and he kept the club alive to the point where they got investment. Fair play to him.
“But at the time, we suggested they needed investment and they have got it but I don’t think it’s going to be their year this year but it will be and they’ll get back to where they should be.”
