Hull FC Falls to St Helens as Coach Cartwright Opens Up on Emotional Departure

Outgoing Hull FC coach John Cartwright expressed his desire to stay on until the end of the season, despite the club's decision not to renew his contract, which left him feeling 'betrayed and disrespected'. The announcement was made last week, and Cartwright revealed he was still in the dark about the reasons behind the decision. The 60-year-old Australian coach oversaw a significant improvement in the team's performance, with 13 wins in 2025, up from just three the previous year. Cartwright's emotional response to the news was evident, as he spoke about the reactions of his players, which left him a 'blubbering mess'. The Black and Whites were defeated 24-14 by St Helens, but Cartwright was proud of his team's effort, particularly in the early stages. The match saw Hull lead by six points at the interval, but they fell away in the second half, with late tries from Kyle Feldt and Harry Robertson securing the win for St Helens.