Hull FC’s 2025 season has been about starting to rebuild and bring the club back to where it wants to be. After taking the playoff race to the final round of the season, the are certainly on the right track to becoming regular finals challengers once again.
Had they have made the six, it would have been just their second playoff appearance since 2017, with 2020 being the last time the Black and Whites made it to the knockout stage of the competition.
Following an 11th placed finish last season, this year was simply about improving the standards both on and off the field, as they put better foundations in place to consistently compete.
Former Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos playmaker Richie Myler retired from playing part-way through 2024, and became FC’s Director of Rugby, before moving into the role of Chief Executive at the start of this year.
Speaking to Sky Sports at half-time of his side’s final game of the season against Catalans Dragons, the 35-year-old was asked about how he thought the club had performed over the course of the year, in which he replied positively.
He said:Â “It’s been a productive one. It’s been a progressive one, which is what we were asking for. We’ve been hampered at the back end with injuries and our key players not on the field but no, like I say, it’s been an exciting one, a progressive one and one we’re proud of at the moment.”
Injuries both this year and last have forced Hull to rely on their young talent. Lewis Martin and Harvey Barron have been perfect examples of this, with the wing pair racking up 38 tries between them this year. Myler is proud of the efforts of all the emerging talents that have stepped up, and says they will be better for it as their careers develop.
He said: “[Due to injury] They’ve had that as a bit of a mantra ‘the next guy in’ kind of philosophy and they’ve all bought into it. Look, clearly last season we were nowhere near where we needed to be, and I think this team has done well to put a bit of pride back in the shirt.
“The connection with the fans was the biggest thing that we’d lost, and I think we’ve got a long way to getting that back, so it’s a credit to them.
“John [Cartwright]’s been phenomenal He’s a very calm, considered character and I think the group’s kind of followed that lead as well, so no, it’s been a good year. A stressful one, but a good one.”
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“No other way about it” – Hull FC chief sets playoff goal after final round agony
FC have announced six signings ahead of next season, and plan to bring in some more recruits to allow them to compete again next year. Myler admitted that a lot of work has been done behind the scenes to sort out the glaring problems left by his predecessors, however he now believes the club is in a position that will be a threat on the field next season.
He said: “Ultimately, we’ve got that wrong for a period, obviously before my time and early on my [time] we were just kind of putting out fires and we’ve had to go with a massive overhaul of the squad, but it’s a lot more settled, obviously we’ve got the recruits coming in next year. But as I said, we’ve consolidated a little bit and we’re putting a bit of pride back in that shirt and that’s all we can ask for at this moment in time.
“Next year is a different kettle of fish. I think we’ve brought in some really talented winners, and we’re looking to be pushing again. The same expectations won’t be next year, but no, we’re looking forward to it.
Asked about the goal for next season, Myler said: “We want to be in the playoffs. There’s no other way about it.
“I think we’re probably just going to come up short this time. I know we’ve downplayed the season, but we were pretty confident with the guys and the characters we brought in. I thought Zak Hardaker has been unbelievable for us. He almost epitomises what this group’s about. We’re full of talent in our youngsters and they’ve had another 12 months of exposure.
“We’ll be pushing, we’re putting a team on paper that we’d like to think is in the playoffs, and it’s on them to take the mantle forward and rip in for one another like they’ve done again.
