Saints Triumph Over Hull as Cartwright Opens Up on Emotional Departure

Hull FC's outgoing coach, John Cartwright, expressed his desire to remain in charge until the end of the season despite the club's decision not to renew his contract. Cartwright revealed he was left feeling 'betrayed and disrespected' by the decision, which came as a surprise to the 60-year-old Australian. The Black and Whites were defeated 24-14 by St Helens in the Betfred Super League, with Cartwright's side showing promise in the early stages before falling away. The coach was emotional in his post-match interview, stating that he had not been given a clear reason for his dismissal and that he would be having further meetings with the club's owner, Andrew Thirkill, to discuss his future. Cartwright's players reacted well to the news of his impending exit, with the team putting in a strong performance against a revived St Helens side. The visitors ultimately took the win, with late tries from Kyle Feldt and Harry Robertson securing the victory. Cartwright's emotional state was evident as he spoke about his players' reactions to the news, saying it had left him a 'blubbering mess'. The coach oversaw a significant upturn in results during his tenure, with the team's win total rising to 13 in 2025. The future of the club remains uncertain, with former England and Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara reportedly lined up to replace Cartwright.