Rugby League May 26, 2026

John Cartwright left 'betrayed and disrespected' by Hull FC after departure announcement

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
John Cartwright left 'betrayed and disrespected' by Hull FC after departure announcement

John Cartwright says he has been left "betrayed and disrespected" after his Hull FC exit was confirmed before the club had given him an explanation.

Hull FC announced on April 7 that head coach Cartwright would be leaving the club at the end of the Betfred Super League season.

The news came as a surprise to the 60‑year‑old Australian who, almost a week on, still has no explanation for the decision to end his tenure.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Cartwright said: "The club have come to a decision that they would part ways at the end of my current contract and that a six-month termination clause would be exercised.

"That's pretty much how it happened. I still haven't been given a reason, to be honest with you. I don't know. I have asked and I expect to sit down with someone in the not-too-distant future.

"When people know the facts, they can make their own mind up. For me, I probably feel a little bit betrayed and disrespected."

Cartwright took over at the MKM Stadium at the start of the 2025 campaign and helped the club to a seventh-placed finish, their highest finish since 2020.

Hull FC, who have already started the process of hiring a new coach from the 2027 season, currently sit ninth in Super League after three wins and four defeat from their first seven matches.

"I'll still do my job. I won't do anything that will put that at risk," Cartwright added. "You ask me questions and I'll tell you the answer. That's where that sits.

"My loyalty and my bond with the players are something that can never be taken away.

"It took me totally by surprise. If you lose six in a row, you might feel they'd be a tap on the shoulder, but there was none of that."

Your Site will again show every game of the Super League live this season - including two matches in each round exclusively live, with the remaining five matches each week shown on

Tags:

rugby-league news

Share this article

Related Posts

Challenge Cup final 2026: The big Bevan French question - will Wigan Warriors' star man return at Wembley?

Challenge Cup final 2026: The big Bevan French question - will Wigan Warriors' star man return at Wembley?

When Wigan Warriors named their Challenge Cup final squad, one question came to the forefront: Is Bevan French going to play at Wembley?Wigan's star m...

London's calling! How Wigan Warriors, Hull KR and St Helens are looking to become Wembley immortals in Challenge Cup final

London's calling! How Wigan Warriors, Hull KR and St Helens are looking to become Wembley immortals in Challenge Cup final

Wembley Way has once again been flooded with football fans from every corner of the leagues, all dreaming of seeing their team immortalised on that ic...

Women's State of Origin 2026: New South Wales complete clean sweep over Queensland with historic win

Women's State of Origin 2026: New South Wales complete clean sweep over Queensland with historic win

New South Wales completed the first 3-0 clean sweep in the Women's State of Origin after they beat Queensland in the third game.NSW already won the an...

The coaching roundabout continues: How Hull FC's John Cartwright decision could shape Super League's landscape for 2027

The coaching roundabout continues: How Hull FC's John Cartwright decision could shape Super League's landscape for 2027

​​​​​​​When a domino falls there is a chain reaction and that is happening across Super League's coaching market.Never before have we seen a ripple ef...

Joel Tomkins' Catalans Dragons departure confirmed as head coach cites 'personal reasons' for decision to step down

Joel Tomkins' Catalans Dragons departure confirmed as head coach cites 'personal reasons' for decision to step down

Joel Tomkins has confirmed he has chosen to step down from his role as head coach at Catalans Dragons, a role he held for just under a year, due to "p...

John Cartwright left 'betrayed and disrespected' by Hull FC after departure announcement

John Cartwright left 'betrayed and disrespected' by Hull FC after departure announcement

John Cartwright says he has been left "betrayed and disrespected" after his Hull FC exit was confirmed before the club had given him an explanation.Hu...