Hull FC’s recent loss to St Helens was overshadowed by the emotional turmoil surrounding head coach John Cartwright. The Australian, who has been at the helm for two seasons, revealed that the club’s decision to part ways with him left him feeling "blubbered" and disrespected, even as he vowed to stay on until the end of the campaign.
In the aftermath of a 24-14 defeat, the Black and Whites’ supporters gave Cartwright a warm send‑off, chanting his name despite the disappointing result. Cartwright, 60, first learned that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the season only a week ago, a move that reportedly caught him off guard.
The club’s announcement that former England and Catalans Dragons boss Steve McNamara is poised to take over added to the speculation. In a pre‑match interview with Sky Sports, Cartwright said he had yet to receive a clear explanation for the non‑renewal and expressed a desire to see the season through, noting that the Super League does not conclude until October. When asked whether the St Helens game might be his final appearance in charge, Cartwright answered, "Not at the moment, not as I stand here.
I didn’t know I’d be in this position two weeks ago, so who knows what the future holds." He emphasized his affection for the squad, describing a strong bond and optimism about the team’s progress. "We have a good group, we’re improving, and we have the chance to have a fantastic year," he said.
"We’ll get through tonight and hopefully it will be business as usual afterward." After the match, an emotional Cartwright admitted he still did not know what lay ahead. "I honestly don’t know. I’ll let the dust settle on that. I have a couple of meetings early next week and then we’ll see," he told reporters.
He added that he had spoken with Hull owner Andrew Thirkill since his earlier comments and expected further discussions. When pressed about the reasons behind the club’s decision, Cartwright replied, "Not really, no.
I’ve had some conversations with Andrew, and we will meet again next week. There have been a few little things, but I hope to clear that up soon." Cartwright arrived at Hull on a two‑year contract after the 2024 season. Under his guidance, the club’s fortunes improved dramatically: the win tally jumped from three in 2023 to thirteen in 2025.
However, the news of his impending departure seemed to affect the players, leaving Cartwright "a blubbering mess" when he asked them about it. He explained, "It’s funny for me to answer. I was a blubbering mess at one point.
It’s lucky we had two weeks to prepare for the game. Once the players knew, we had three really good sessions and there was no talk of it on the training ground." On the field, Hull started strongly, leading by six points at halftime thanks to an early try from Logan Moy and a penalty kick by Zak Hardaker. The Saints, however, rallied after the break. Kyle Feldt and Harry Robertson crossed the line in the final minutes to secure a 24‑14 victory for St Helens, who arrived in East Yorkshire riding the momentum of a convincing Challenge Cup win over Catalans Dragons and a dominant performance against Wigan on Good Friday.
Hull’s performance was hampered by the emotional distraction of the coaching saga. The team took a day off training after the announcement, a break that may have disrupted their rhythm. Nevertheless, they showed resilience early on, with Moy’s 12th‑minute opener setting the tone.
Hardaker added two successful kicks, extending the lead, but Saints responded quickly when Jake Davies slipped through the defense to level the scores. Tristan Sailor’s accurate goal‑kicking kept the visitors in contention, and Sam Lisone’s close‑range effort, followed by Amir Bourouh’s dummy‑half try, restored Hull’s advantage. The second half saw Saints surge. Noah Stephens’ try brought the sides level at 14‑14, and a series of penalties for high tackles kept the scores tight.
Sailor’s penalty goal gave St Helens a narrow lead, but Feldt’s try in the right corner and Robertson’s subsequent score pushed the visitors ahead for good. Hull’s defense struggled to contain the Saints’ attacking flair, and the final whistle confirmed a disappointing defeat for the home side.
Despite the loss, Cartwright expressed pride in his players’ effort, especially given the off‑field turmoil. He highlighted the professionalism shown by the squad during a period that could have easily derailed their focus.
"The lads kept their heads down and gave it their all," he said. "That’s something I can be proud of, regardless of the result." Looking ahead, Hull FC must navigate the remainder of the season without the certainty of a long‑term coach.
The club’s leadership will need to manage the transition to Steve McNamara while maintaining the momentum built under Cartwright’s tenure. For the players, the challenge will be to stay focused on the remaining fixtures and finish the campaign strongly, aiming to secure a playoff spot despite the upheaval. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast every Super League match live this season, offering fans the chance to follow Hull’s journey and the broader league action as the drama unfolds.