Rugby League Apr 15, 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

Willie Peters to end historic Hull KR tenure at end of Super League season to become inaugural PNG Chiefs coach

Willie Peters to end historic Hull KR tenure at end of Super League season to become inaugural PNG Chiefs coach

Willie Peters will end his historic tenure as Hull KR head coach at the end of the Super League season.The 47-year-old will leave Craven Park having m...

Willie Peters challenges Hull KR to channel emotions and end his tenure on a high before NRL return

Willie Peters challenges Hull KR to channel emotions and end his tenure on a high before NRL return

Willie Peters has challenged his Hull KR players to channel the emotion of his confirmed end‑of‑season departure into writing a final chapter fitting...

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signs two-year deal with Wakefield Trinity from next season in shock move away from NRL

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck signs two-year deal with Wakefield Trinity from next season in shock move away from NRL

New Zealand Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has signed a shock two-year deal with Wakefield Trinity in an unexpected move away from the NRL.The 32-y...

Paul Rowley: St Helens head coach interested in taking charge of England for Rugby League World Cup

Paul Rowley: St Helens head coach interested in taking charge of England for Rugby League World Cup

St Helens head coach Paul Rowley has expressed his interest in the vacant England head coach job, saying he has a "burning desire" to coach his countr...

Huddersfield Giants sack head coach Luke Robinson after five consecutive losses in opening weeks of Super League

Huddersfield Giants sack head coach Luke Robinson after five consecutive losses in opening weeks of Super League

Huddersfield Giants have sacked head coach Luke Robinson in the wake of Friday night's Betfred Super League defeat at Bradford which took them to five...

Rivals Round: Updates, scores, videos, analysis reports with Hull KR, Hull FC, St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls in action

Rivals Round: Updates, scores, videos, analysis reports with Hull KR, Hull FC, St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls in action

Could Salah miss out on huge Saudi payday?Saudi Arabia is preparing to scale back its investment in the transfer market - which could have repercussio...