John Cartwright recruitment influence revealed as Hull FC base new direction on key facet

Adam Pearson has outlined the hurt of Hull FC's 2024 season but believes there are some 'greenshoots' starting to come through at the club. The club chairman pointed to the young players, of which many excelled last season, and those coming in, with director of rugby Richie Myler, along with incoming head coach John Cartwright, stamping their mark on the squad for 2025.

Adding leadership and experience, the club believes that the necessary traits have been added to ensure an improved season next term, with the likes of John Asiata, Jordan Rapana, and Aidan Sezer joining the first-team squad. Meanwhile, Pearson has declared that Cartwright, who arrives in the U.K. at the end of the week on a three-year deal, has had a big influence on recruitment alongside Myler, with the duo working in tandem to create a competitive side once again.

Pearson is backing those decisions, with all the club sharing responsibility for what was a poor 2024 campaign, one of the worst in the club's entire history, with the drive now to set the record straight and get on an upward trajectory once again.

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Speaking at the club's recent shirt launch, Pearson said: "It feels like last season was a complete waste of the club's history and heritage. We didn't get any enjoyment out of the season, baring probably Wigan and Leeds down here. We we all going home and having a lousy weekend over it, kids stop coming, you don't enjoy it and it becomes a grind, but over the last three months, there are greenshoots coming through.

"I think the squad is capable of winning some games next year and at least competing in all games. I think there's some experience in there and there's some young players behind the young players still to come through.

"The back three (Logan Moy, Lewis Martin, and Harvey Barron) all did well; they've all progressed, and we've got some good young players and a lot of experienced pros now in there. There are all associated to Richie and John, which is going to put a bit of pressure on them.

"John has virtually, from the Jordan Abdull signing onwards, has had his fingerprints and his signature over all of the signings, and certainly the early ones, Richie knows personally from the dressing room and on the pitch. We know what we're getting, and there's no excuses really."

Pointing to one key aspect, Pearson has stated the squad has more leadership about it than last season, with Asiata coming in alongside two current forwards who the club believe they can build around: Jed Cartwright and Herman Ese'ese.

He added: "We've got good leaders coming in now, especially John Asiata, but we think Jed is a leader and we think Herman is too. We know performances haven't been good enough, and we accept that, but we're looking forward now, and we're all driven to make sure this club gets back to where it was and can be."

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