Hull FC recruitment update with 'two' signings and backroom role to be made
Richie Myler has stated that Hull FC are still aiming to bring in new players this off-season and beyond. The club has signed nine players for the 2025 season, but they are not done with their recruitment drive, with Myler declaring that a 'couple of pieces' are still to come in.
Hull Live reported last month that further domestic recruitment is still to come, with a middle sought out. The desired player is very specific, with Hull wanting a hard-working prop to go alongside the likes of Herman Ese'ese, Yusuf Aydin, and John Asiata, who are set to be the cornerstones of the pack next season.
Elsewhere, the club, who have Cade Cust still to announce, hasn't ruled out strengthening other areas, with Myler working in tandem with incoming coach John Cartwright to maximise the 2025 roster and put out a competitive team. The work hasn't stopped at new player signings either, with the club bringing in new backroom staff in the shape of Andy Last and Andy Shea. Further appointments are also to be confirmed.
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Writing to Hull FC's members, with the club launching their membership campaign on Sunday evening, Myler said: "The majority of the pieces of the puzzle in terms of on-field additions have now been put together, with the arrivals of John Asiata, Zak Hardaker, Jordan Rapana, and Aidan Sezer—another couple of pieces of the jigsaw are still to come that will put us in a stronger position for next year.
"We have a new head coach joining the club for 2025 in John Cartwright, who heads to the club on the back of a victorious State of Origin series with New South Wales, with whom he was an assistant coach. John joins us from Brisbane Broncos, who made the NRL Grand Final in 2023. He is united in our desire to put a team on the field that follows our 'Hull & Proud' club mantra.
"We have made further important additions to our backroom staff. Andy Shea will join us as head physiotherapist. Andy Last will return as assistant coach, and we will announce a new head of performance in due course. These additions are hugely important to us to develop our players and keep them in the best possible shape."
Setting a clear direction, Hull have based their recruitment on experience, with seasoned campianers brought in to help develop and nurture the club's young players. For Myler, there has been a key emphasis to not put roadblocks in, with a clear path to the first-team. That has been shown with the likes of Tom Briscoe, who has helped to bring on the likes of Lewis Martin and Harvey Barron this year.
He continued: "One of the real highlights of this season has been watching our young players grow and develop with the experience they've gained throughout the year, with the likes of Logan Moy, Lewis Martin, Jack Charles, and Harvey Barron coming on leaps and bounds in 2024. However, they need more experienced players around them to avoid burning out.
"The players we're bringing in for 2025 are experienced. They have been in strong environments and around elite athletes for long periods of time. We hope that will help take our future stars to the next level of their game.
"We've seen a snippet of that with the mid-season return of Tom Briscoe, one of Super League's most experienced wingers, with over 450 career appearances to his name. Young wingers Lewis Martin and Harvey Barron have particularly benefitted from Tom's presence since his return to the club.
"We are working hard to develop a team that represents our supporters. We want to bring our young players into an environment that is hardworking, has a big focus on standards and principles, and has the foundation in place so our players know how to train, how to prepare, and how to conduct themselves to best represent this great club."
Myler also thanked Hull FC's supporters for 'sticking by' the club in what has been one of it's toughest ever seasons. The Black and Whites finished joint bottom of Super League, with wholesale changes now made to better future fortunes.
"On a personal note, it's been full steam ahead since beginning my role as Director of Rugby earlier this year, with a really positive transition from playing into the off-field role," Myler added. "Everyone across the club, from players, staff, club partners, and supporters, has been incredibly welcoming, and I've loved getting my teeth into a busy in-tray and to-do list.
"Our key message as this season comes to a close is 'thank you.' Thank you for your support this year, and for sticking by us through an incredibly difficult campaign. The squad number 18 at this club belongs to you. The Old Fathful. That says everything. The supporters and members who watch us week in, week out are the lifeblood of the whole club, and without you, we are nothing. Your support is vital.
"I understand the frustration that has built at his club over a period of time, but for us to move to the next level on our journey, we need you by our side. The team needs to be better, stronger, and more resilient, and our supporters and members will help drive that."
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