Hull FC CEO Richie Myler has addressed the club’s reported £1,000,000 offer to Nathan Cleary whilst clarifying the lack of in-season recruitment this year.
Myler gave a 49-minute sit-down interview that was shared on the Hull FC YouTube channel in which a range of topics, mainly revolving around John Cartwright’s exit and Steve McNamara’s 2027 appointment, were addressed.
Within the chat, Myler also touched upon the club’s current recruitment stance as it was something that John Cartwright had spoken about in the final pre-match press conference before it was announced he would be stepping down.
Cartwright confirmed that a list of eight players had been presented to Richie Myler in regards replacement options for the likes of Will Pryce, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury, and Liam Knight, who left the club.
Despite that, the only additions that Hull FC have made have been short-term loan moves with both of those coming after Cartwright’s presser, leading to Myler being asked about the situation.
“I was slightly disappointed with the comment because we are a collective,” the club CEO said before confirming that Cartwright was correct in that players were presented, though the club opted not to sign any.
“With recruitment, recruitment is a collective. It’s not just me signing players. Yes, I have a big role but we do it as a collective. We’ve had numerous meetings on players and ultimately, there wasn’t the right individual to bring in to the group that we thought was going to add to us.
“Yes, there were players presented. I won’t name a couple but there were people presented in different positions and the decision was made to give other people a chance.
“You’ve seen with Logan Moy, we could have brought a full-back in but I feel like Logan has really grasped his opportunity.”
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Hull FC and Nathan Cleary reports clarified
One other matter than Cartwright addressed in that press conference were reports in Australia that Hull FC had offered Nathan Cleary a huge £1,000,000 deal, with that news breaking shortly after it had been announced the head coach would leave at the end of the 2027.
Cartwright queried the timing of it and Myler has now confirmed that the timing was a ‘nightmare’, but noted that contact had been made, albeit over a year ago.
“The Nathan Cleary thing, I don’t know how that timing came about or why they decided. It just happened and it wasn’t ideal timing,” Myler explained.
“The Nathan Cleary scenario is that in March 2025, and I can show you the email, I did send his agent and email to say this is where we are as a club, I’d seen the reports that he potentially wanted to be closer to his partner who plays for Man City, so I did send an email to say ‘look, we are an ambitious club’.
“I didn’t talk figures but I said ‘I understood the gravity of the number (needed to sign Nathan) and if there was ever an opportunity, I think it would be unbelievable not only for Hull FC but for the game. We would like to have a conversation’.
“They politely replied that he was quite happy with where he is but they appreciated us coming to them, and that was it. That was the last I heard of it since March 2025.
“I know the NRL360 thing broke and the timing of it was a nightmare because it looks like we’re trying to deflect. It was not from me whatsoever.”
One thing that Myler did note in regards the playing squad and recruitment is that the current players have the chance now to prove they can be part of Steve McNamara’s plans, particularly given plenty are contracted for 2027 anyway.
He said: “There’s a lot of people under contract, there’s not a lot of scope to move around but I don’t think we’re too far off.
“We heavily invested, we spent over half a million pounds of extra money on our team this season. We invested heavily in that squad, and yes we’ve had injuries but everyone has… For me, it doesn’t need a wholesale change. We need to make sure our process is right, our standards are right and keep the club moving forward.”
