2 hours Ago By [email protected] (Daniel Tomlinson)
Adam Pearson believes Hull FC have strengthened the areas that they have been 'fundamentally lacking' in with their appointments this off-season centred on improving off-field preparation and the conditioning of players. That, amid nine new player signings, has seen new backroom staff arrive at the club, with Director of Rugby Richie Myler aiming to give the squad the best chance of preparation ahead of next season. That process is also supported by Pearson, with the club chairman revealing a staggering total of money spent on medical fees this year, with the appointments seen hoped, alongside some better fortune in the injury department, to reduce the amount of knocks next year and aid continuity in team selection.
Doing it tough with injuries all year, Pearson has stated the club has to 'hold their hands up’ with some accountability and responsibility taken. However, there has also been some serious misfortune in contact injuries on a scale that they have not previously encountered. The two together resulted in an unprecedented scenario, with the team forced into changes every week.
Moving forward, the club are looking to change that narrative by significantly strengthening the backroom team under Myler. Speaking at the club’s shirt launch event last Thursday, Pearson pointed to the strides the club has made in those appointments, with a new head physiotherapist in Andy Shea joining new head coach John Cartwright and returning assistant coach Andy Last. Furthermore, Hull are still to appoint an assistant physio to work under Shea, with the club also appointing Jon Clarke in a conditioning consultancy role.
Clarke, considered one of the best in his field of work, will be present for the start of pre-season training and will plan a programme to take Hull into the season next year along with sports scientist Tom Bennett, who is currently studying for a PHD. Meanwhile, Pearson hopes those changes will bear fruit for Hull, who know getting their stars on the field next year will be the key to any success they hope to have. He said: “We've got a new head coach in John Cartwright, a new assistant coach in Andy Last, who will be here for pre-season.
We've signed a very experienced physio who is coming in from Newcastle Falcons in Andy Shea. We've got another assistant physio to come in as well on top of that. "We're gearing up behind the scenes.
We're trying to strengthen in the areas that we've been fundamentally lacking in over the last two to three years. The consultant fees have been astronomical. We've spent over £200,000 on medical fees this year, which is a quite staggering and unbelievable amount.
We've never been above £100,000 before, and that is a possible testament to where we've got to. "I think we've got to hold our hands up and say, 'We've got to be better in pre-season and a lot better in the months leading up to February.’ We’re confident we will be, and mixed in with some better fortune, we should see a bit of continuity in the team next year.
” Hull will return to pre-season training next month, with Cartwright arriving in the country at the end of the week. The Australian has promised a vigorous and tough pre-season campaign, with the head coach set to put hard work at the centre of everything in a bid to make Hull a tougher, fitter, and more resilient team in 2025. Click here - Get the latest news on our Rugby League Live WhatsApp channel.
