"We could have been Salford." The honest words of Hull FC CEO Richie Myler when addressing the previous state of the club. Seeking investment, former chairman Adam Pearon made no secret that the Black and Whites required a financial boost to compete at the very top of rugby league once again, with that aid coming in the form of business duo Andrew Thirkill and David Hood.

Completing a period of exclusivity to purchase the club last December, Hull FC are now financially sound with a cash injection to boost all areas of their operation, including enhancing a new, more professional environment at their University of Hull training base, with meals, equipment, supplements, specialist coaches, and more now provided day-to-day.

However, the reality, at least in Myler's eyes, could have been so different, with the CEO suggesting that Hull were looking at a situation akin to Salford Red Devils, whose financial struggles, for the second year running, have been well-documented this offseason with their own investment now hoped to be finalised to avoid, at one stage, what looked like an inevitable player sale.

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"The reality is we could have been Salford," Myler, speaking at Hull FC's Media Day, said. "That's as harsh as it was about to get. We could have been in Salford's situation right now. We're not, and we're very thankful for Andrew and David. We all need to be better now as a club and as a business, but I feel like we're on the right path, which is one, a relief, and two, an exciting prospect."

Getting stuck into all aspects of Hull FC, Myler was promoted from Director of Rugby to the club's CEO earlier this month. Already in full control of the rugby side of things, the 34-year-old has now stepped up to off-field matters, still in his element after nine months at the club.

He continued: "I love it. It's fun, and every day is completely different. This morning (Monday) we had a hefty debate about the SMC and what the bar takes and the percentages that come back should be, and then I'm back in talking to players.

"There's something new every single day. We were talking about flags the other day. It's fun. It's chaotic at times, but I'm very fortunate to have an experienced team that has done this for a long period of time. Lots of our heads of departments have done it for seven, eight years, and longer in some cases. They know how it works, how it runs, and they've now got a little bit more confidence in what they can deliver, as they've got assurances now that we are safe as a club."

And while Hull FC's rebuild is still in its infancy, Myler's long-term goal is to bring back success to the club, who last won a major trophy in 2017. In fact, the ideal situation would be to first get back on an even keel with local rivals Hull KR, with the two Hull clubs then ruling the rugby league world akin to the early 1980s.

"I just want us to be proud of this club again," Myler added. "I want us to have the respect of our opponents. If we get those two elements right, then everyone will be happy with where we are as a club. I'll be happy, and I'll feel like we've reconnected with what it means to be Hull FC.

"We've got so much history at this club. You can go back to the 80s; it was Hull and Hull KR finals and all sorts; replicating that again is the goal. They are doing well right now, and as much as people don't want them to, I actually think for the sake of the city, having two clubs going toe to toe competing for finals would be unbelievable. It would be an absolutely massive achievement, and for the sport, it would be huge.

"So for me, success is getting this club back to a consistent and high-performing level. That isn't going to be easy, and we know it's going to be a fight to get there. But I believe that we have started off the right way. The group of players that are out there training have bought into that; they understand that there's going to be a lot of hard work, and we've got a fan base that understands that.

"We had a fans forum, and Andrew shouted out, 'Where do you think we'll finish?' and the majority of them said eighth or ninth. They've got a real understanding of where we've been as a club and where we are going to get to. We will eventually get up to where we want to. It's just how many years that takes. The proof will be in how they perform."

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