ANDY LAST has promised Hull FC fans “the sun will shine again” amid the wreckage of an awful season.
The Black and Whites lost their ninth straight derby to Hull KR on Thursday night, letting a 12-0 lead slip to go down 34-20 at the MKM Stadium.
This Thursday’s trip to Huddersfield Giants is a battle of the bottom two, against the only team Hull have beaten in their last eleven.
Overall, Last has lost ten of twelve since taking interim charge following the acrimonious departure of John Cartwright, a saga from which a club which began the season with genuine play-off ambitions has never recovered.
Cartwright was let go in order to bring veteran coach Steve McNamara in from next season, backing the ex-England coach as their best bet for long-term success.
While club owners Andrew Thirkill and David Hood said “the future of Hull FC is brighter than it has been for many years” in a statement at the beginning of last week, it may not feel that way to long-suffering supporters, especially after more derby anguish.
Last said after that defeat: “When your best players are injured, you’re having to rely on the higher numbers in your squad, and there is probably a reason they are the higher numbers in the squad.
“Some of the younger guys are maybe not ready for the week-to-week intensity of Super League, but they’re having to play. They’re learning, and it’s a tough stage to learn on. We’re learning some harsh lessons at the moment.
“We’ll pick out some things we need to improve and look forward to Thursday against Huddersfield.
“They’re desperate for a win and we’re desperate for a win, very similar to when we played them (last month).”
Last also opened up on the personal toll the club’s current position is placing on him, saying: “It is a lonely place sometimes.
“A fellow coach has lost his job in Paul Rowley (at St Helens) – I messaged him telling him he’s a good coach and to stick in there.
“You get judged sometimes unfairly. People don’t realise the impact of all the injuries and what goes on behind the scenes. You have a professional duty sometimes to not say too much.
“It is a tough job, but it’s one that I love. I love this club, and that’s never been in question. But it is challenging.
“The club have been supportive. They know how tough it is. They know the challenges that we’re facing as a club.
“But the big thing for me is that there is a lot of positivity moving forward. I’ve just got to ride out this rough water, in the eye of the storm.
“There’s always going to be a break in the clouds and the sun will shine again.”