Hull FC 14-24 St Helens: Outgoing Hull boss John Cartwright admits to being 'blubbering mess' before Super League loss to Saints
Hull FC were beaten 24-14 by St Helens amid doubts over whether head coach John Cartwright will see out his contract until the end of the season; Sky Sports is the only place to watch every Betfred Super League game live in 2026
Last Updated: 16/04/26 11:41pm
Outgoing Hull FC coach John Cartwright suggested ahead of his side's Betfred Super League defeat to St Helens that he wants to remain in the job until the end of the season despite having been left as a "blubbering mess" by the club's recent decision to replace him.
The Black and Whites announced last week that they would not be renewing Cartwright's contract at the end of the season, a move that appeared to catch the 60-year-old Australian by surprise.
Cartwright said on Monday that he felt "betrayed and disrespected", amid widespread reports that Hull FC have lined up former England and Catalans Dragons head coach Steve McNamara to replace him.
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Cartwright was cheered by Hull's home fans despite his side sliding to a 24-14 Super League loss to St Helens, with supporters even chanting his name in the closing stages of the defeat.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the match, Cartwright said he had still not been given a clear reason for his dismissal, but expressed a desire to see out the season, which is still in its early stages and does not conclude until October.
Asked if he expected the St Helens match to be his last in charge, Cartwright replied: "Not at the moment, not as I stand here.
"I didn't know I'd be in this position at all two weeks ago, so who knows what's going to happen down the future.
"But, for me, I love the group of guys here. We have a really good bond and I think we're on the improve. I think we've got the opportunity to have a fantastic year.
"We'll get through tonight and hopefully it's just business as usual after that."
Asked about his future once more following the match, an emotional Cartwright added: "I honestly don't know. I'll let the dust settle on that. I've got a couple of meetings early next week and then we'll find out."
Cartwright said he had spoken further with Hull FC owner Andrew Thirkill since his previous comments, and he expected more talks to follow.
Asked whether he had been told why his contract was not being renewed, he replied: "Not really, no.
"I've had some conversations with Andrew, and we will meet again next week. But at this stage, there's been a few little things, but hopefully I can clear that up next week."
Cartwright arrived on a two-year deal after the 2024 season, and oversaw a significant upturn in results as the team's win total rose to 13 in 2025 having only been three the previous year.
When asked how his players had taken the news of his impending exit, Cartwright said their reactions had left him a "blubbering mess".
"It's a funny one for me to answer," Cartwright said. "I was a blubbering mess at one point.
"It's lucky that we've had two weeks to get ready for the game.
"Once the players knew, we've had three really good sessions, there's been no talk of it."
St Helens come from behind to win
Hull FC led by six points at the interval before falling away, with late tries from Kyle Feldt and Harry Robertson confirming victory for the revived visitors.
A fractured build-up, including a day off from training as the news sunk in, can hardly have helped the hosts, but they reacted well against a Saints side who headed to East Yorkshire on a high after building on their dramatic Good Friday win over Wigan by cruising past Catalans Dragons in the Challenge Cup.
It was hardly the environment to bounce back from a sluggish derby loss to Hull KR two weeks ago, but Cartwright could only have been proud of the way his players applied themselves in the early stages, with Logan Moy rewarding them with a 12th-minute opener.
Zak Hardaker extended FC's lead with his first two of six points with the boot, but Saints responded well and wrapped up a spell of pressure by levelling when Jake Davies skipped a little too easily through the home defence.
Tristan Sailor's first of four successful kicks hauled his side level but FC again responded, Sam Lisone bulling close before Amir Bourouh spotted a gap and pushed over from dummy half.
Hull went in at half-time with a six-point lead but Saints looked a different side after the interval, Noah Stephens clattering over as they hauled level. An exchange of penalties for high tackles left the two sides tied together at 14-14.
Even then there only seemed likely to be one winner and Saints stepped on the gas, Sailor sending Feldt over in the right corner to swiftly put the visitors back in the ascendency, before Robertson shrugged off Moy to wrap up the points.
2026 Super League - key dates and what to look out for
- Super League in Paris: Sat Jun 6: Catalans Dragons v Wigan Warriors (Paris), 6:30 UK (Sky Sports)
- Magic Weekend: July 4-July 5
- Rivals Round reversed: July 23-July 26
- Elimination Play-offs: September 19-September 20
- Play-off semi-finals: September 26-September 27
- Grand Final: October 3, Old Trafford.
Sky Sports 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 Sky Sports+
