Ever since a group of former public schoolboys formed Hull FC way back in 1865, the club has been a fabric of its local community. Serving the city for 160 years, its imprint remains strong to this very day.

Whether it was Billy Batten, Johnny Whiteley, Clive Sullivan, Steve Norton, or, most recently, Danny Houghton, Hull FC’s Boulevard and MKM Stadium homes have been places where legends were born.

And while the club’s identity has changed from the cherry and white hoops worn in its first century to the modern-day black and white ones synonymous with the club today, its morals and principles remain the same. This is an organisation wanting to rediscover and reconnect.

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It’s one where community is at the top of its priority, with pride and passion aiming to be restored into its passionate fan base. On that front, nearly 8,000 members have signed up for the ride again. They’ve bought in. Now it’s over to the players.

But unlike in previous years, there’s a measure of where Hull are at, where they need to go, and how they’ll get there. After some really disappointing seasons, there is an honesty, but it’s refreshing. It comes from the highest office in the land: from new chairman Andrew Thirkill to CEO Richie Myler and head coach John Cartwright.

This is a club who knows where they’re at and what they need to do to build themselves back up. They understand the long road ahead, and they know it’s about the bigger picture. They know this is a full rebuild, not an overnight turnaround. It will take time, but that doesn’t mean that Hull can’t move forward in the here and now.

There is ambition, but it’s measured, and it’s all centred on hard work. This squad, with experienced signings made to help grow and nurture young up-and-coming players, have trained throughout a tough three-month pre-season period for a reason. By Cartwright’s own admission, they are at an NRL standard of fitness. And while optimism is cautious, they believe they can compete and perhaps even surprise.

On that front, change has been the word, and change has been gargantuan. There are new players, new coaches, new backroom staff, new facilities, and new owners. It’s a completely new direction. That direction is centred on a group of core values: cohesion, connection, effort, grit, resilience, teamwork, spirit, and the like – all the components required to make a true fist of it in this game of rugby league.

It’s one centred on putting the team first, on doing the basics well; completing sets; playing tough, playing honest, and defending with vigour – all traits and skills Hull’s supporters are crying out for. It’s what they want to see, to get the fire back in the belly when watching their beloved.

If Hull are to progress, then those traits have to be the cornerstone of this Hull side this year, one who fights to the death and never backs down no matter what. Get that attitude and mentality week to week, and the scope to surprise is there, but those traits have to be stuck to throughout the season. Consistency is key.

That rhetoric has been aired throughout the pre-season, but if Hull maintain the foundation of what they aspire to be, then the club can build something powerful. That’s the challenge: to turn aspiration into reality, with Cartwright now ready to lead his troops into a new era.

The Australian has led the club this pre-season, bringing discipline to the fold as a true authoritarian. He’s measured and strict, but most importantly, he’s a coach who inspires. That’s there to see in player interviews. They speak with passion, on and off the record. They’ve bought in. They’re ready to go.

The big question now, as always, is can Hull put words into actions? That starts in Perpignan on Valentine's night, with Hull up against Catalans Dragons. A first marker of where Cartwright’s side are truly at awaits, but while the best may take some time to come, one thing's for certain: the year ahead will be full of drama, ups, downs, twists and turns. It’s Hull FC – it’s never anything different, but that’s why we love it. Bring it on.

Prediction: 8th
Hull will become a more competitive side this year, but whether they truly have the minerals to finish in the top six after 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th place finishes is still to be seen. Most would take a competitive season. That's a start.

Player of the Year: Jordan Rapana
The Kiwi will be a crowd favourite this year, regardless of if he plays at centre, on the wing, or at full-back.

Young Player of the Year: Lewis Martin
The 20-year-old is full of energy and enthusiasm, two things that will take him a long way.

Top try scorer: Lewis Martin
The winger can finish, and when he gets out in the clear, it’s good night.