Hull FC pre-season a chance for fresh start as investment lingers in background

Hull FC move into a new era under a new head coach this Tuesday morning for the start of their pre-season campaign. A fresh start, the Black and Whites will now be led by John Cartwright, who will look to get every last ounce out of his squad over the next three months.

Set to be a strenuous process, Hull will be hard at work getting ready for the new Super League season. It's going to be tough; there's been no secrets there, but it will also be smart as the first-team squad aims to build themselves back up into a competitive outfit once again.

Of course, the scars of last season are still to heal, but in order to move forward, Hull can't dwell on what has gone on before. Yes, it hasn't been good enough, and yes, it's been far from acceptable, but now it's about the future and ultimately, improving.

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To do that, Hull have to set the groundwork now. 'Fit and hungry' were the two words Cartwright used to first describe his future Hull side when confirmed as head coach. And those two components have to be at the forefront of everything they do. It's all got to be based on hard work, with Hull's new Aussie frontman recognising the importance of relationships and standing between player and supporter, and club and community.

To get those relationships thriving again, everything has to focus on the fundamental and effort-based traits of rugby league. That's not to suggest that effort, energy, attitude, desire, and the like will turn Hull into an overnight success. But in order to get this side rolling again, they need to become the nucleus and very fabric of what they do.

It should go without saying, but Cartwright can't just flick a switch and turn Hull into a top six entity again. It's going to take time and it's going to take patience, but so long as there is a clear indication of progress, identity, and soul into Hull's play when they get going next year, then supporters can at least get behind it.

There is a clear vision at this club and a plan put into place from Director of Rugby, Richie Myler. Experience has been brought in with the hope of developing young talent, with the two components mixed together amid future recruitment cycles to evolve the squad once more.

And in Cartwright, not to mention the returning Andy Last, the club believes they have the tools to make said vision a reality. They have also boosted their performance staff with an experienced physio in Andy Shea, with a further assistant still to come. There's also Jon Clarke, who will aid Tom Bennett in the Strength and Conditioning department in a consultancy role.

Ultimately, next season is about progress. Hull just have to move forward and be the team that earns back its pride and reignite its passion. They have to be the team that turns up every week no matter what and fights until the death. They have to show grit, determination, and the like, and get everyone back onside with performances based on a solid foundation.

That process starts at the university training ground this Tuesday, with a six week block leading up to Christmas. Hull will then have a break for the festive period, with four more weeks leading up until the trial games, the Challenge Cup, and Super League.

For the squad, their focus has to be on setting those foundations. That will be their focus. Off it, there's more cogs turning with the investment process, spoken by Adam Pearson back in April, ongoing. An update on what is a sensitive process could come this month, with Hull also having attention on their current lease at the MKM Stadium, which has three more seasons to go.

But as for the on-field staff and squad, it's all systems go on making Hull FC a better rugby team, one that has a clear identity and one that can hold their heads up high again.

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