HULL FC coach John Cartwright predicts a bright future under the club’s new ownership.
Prominent Yorkshire businessmen Andrew Thirkill and David Hood took control from Adam Pearson in December.
Thirkill, 66, who served as Leeds Rhinos president from 2018 until October, has become Hull chairman, with Hood, 76, also joining the board.
The pair aim to drive the club forward after successive finishes of eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh in Super League.
Australian Cartwright is gearing up for his first season in charge after leaving Brisbane Broncos, where he was assistant to Kevin Walters, to pen a three-year Hull contract.
The 59-year-old, who played for Salford as well as Penrith Panthers, New South Wales and Australia, coached Gold Coast Titans from 2007 to 2014.
The former second rower was later on the staff at North Queensland Cowboys and Manly Sea Eagles, and has worked with New South Wales.
He aims to put that experience to good use at the MKM Stadium, with his first competitive match at the helm coming on Saturday, when his charges take on York Acorn in round three of the Challenge Cup at the Millennium Stadium, Featherstone.
Cartwright knows expectations are high, and believes that with Thirkill and Hood leading the way, Hull can become contenders, albeit over time.
“Everything they touch, they’re not used to not having success. The same goes for this club,” he said.
“The very pleasing thing, and the thing fans can look forward to, is success, because these blokes are in it for the long haul.
“That means we’re going to get success. I’d love to say that’s going to be right now, but success will come – it’s just a matter of when.”
Richie Myler has added chief executive responsibilities to his existing director of rugby role.
But Cartwright says Hull will also benefit from the business acumen of their owners.
“They are hands-on,” he added in an interview with BBC Radio Humberside.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind for them. They’ve taken over a club in a pretty short space of time.
“I know they’ve worked with every section of the club. They’re working on making all of those sections better. Football-wise will probably be the last place they come to.
“They’ve let Richie and myself stay in control of that, but they’ve also let me know they’re only a phone call away.”
Cartwright is keeping close tabs on highly-rated teenage halfback Jack Charles and prop Matty Laidlaw.
Charles, having recovered from a hamstring injury, is nursing an ankle problem picked up in training, while Laidlaw damaged a knee while playing for dual-registration partners Doncaster in a pre-season game.
“Jack will be in a boot for a couple of weeks, then we’ll assess him,” said the boss.
“Matty has picked up a medial-ligament injury. He rolled down awkwardly in a tackle. He’ll probably be out for another month.”