Agree on cartwright, seems like the exact guy we need right now. Also agree on Last, think he is a really smart addistion.

Can see your point on recruitment and as it stands we will only have one quota spot for 2026 (Sao's), so I'm guessing we will be going all out for a couple of domestic forwards and use the quota spot on a centre.

It also depends on how some of the young lads go, I think the club fully expect the likes of Moy, Dawson, Westerman, Charles, Wainhouse and Staveley to be ready for 2026, playing week out, it wont be all of them, but if we can have half of those ready to be good SL players (which i think is realistic, then it makes our recruitment a lot easier). For the last 3 years or so, we have had a top 4 academy and reserve team, like Wigan and saints, we need to start turning these in good SL players.

I think if we can add 3 more very good players (centre and two forwards) and if some of these players are ready, then I think we could challenge for the top 6 in 2026. Then the year after bring in 4 or so overseas players that push us a step further.

I think a 3 year plan of

2025 8th/9th
2026 6th
2027 top 4

is possible.

Is a bit of a worry that next year we’ll only have one quota spot, it’ll be interesting to see who’s available come December 1st.

Interestingly, in 2027, Cust will be 28 and non quota. I’ve always thought he has bags of talent but hasn’t been on the pitch yet on show it and build momentum. Hopefully with us he can do it.

Noboddy seems to have picked up on the possibility of the purchase of Hull FC is a way in to allow Thirkill and Hood to aquire ownership of the MKM together with the surrounding development land. Thirkill is the obvious RL fan but no obvious RL links to Hood. Perhaps thats why they see no need to rehash the lease, Time will tell!!!!!!

Only a worry if our quota players aren't any good, quite confident that the ones signed will be a significant upgrade on the ones signed last year.

Thirkhill and Hood have worked together on several business ventures, but it does intrigue me as to what could of possibly attracted the attention of someone with that amount of money, who as far as im aware has zero previous interest in the sport to get on board.

I don't really get this. I know city have been making noises about it but the only land surrounding the stadium is the fairground site which, I think, has some royal charter on it re the fair so isn't something that will go away easily, and a park which, again, will have all sorts of covenants on it about use.

From what I can see there is no real opportunity for development of the site which is hemmed in by the road and rail line on the other sides

Yeah seems a strange one. The good thing for us is that we are a salary cap sport and if we use the short term extra cash to get over the post covid debts and reverse the rot that’s set in we really shouldn’t need constant bank rolling from owners or investors to stay competitive like say Huddersfield have over 20 years. I’m sure Thirkill said that he and David won’t be taking anything from the club for an initial 3 years and will only be investing into the playing side in that period. I’m sure Myler signed up for 3 years also.

Now hopefully blokes of with that kind of resources and business connections want to stick around for the long term, but if we get back on track on the field, get the bigger crowds again then 3 years down the line we might look a more attractive proposition in general should they want to review the project. In theory we shouldn’t need to rely on someone pumping money in for years.

I thought Thirkill was pretty open as to why he decided to buy the club from AP. He’s said he’s a fan of the game and his position as Leeds never had any investiture opportunity and the opportunity to take the next level such as owning a club was one he fancied and especially one like Hull FC.

I think the challenge to turn the club around and getting it to achieve is more than likely what is the drive behind it.

I don’t think it’s got anything to do with the Stadium or land around it.

fully agree. He seemed very genuine

Regarding the stadium and surrounding areas,.I touched on this the other day.
Hull City owner is already in the process of negotiations with HCC
Huge plans have already been drawn up and been put forward
HCC are happy to sell and happy with the plans out forward
One sticking point atm is the purchasing of a small part of land and building on the grounds that HCC do NOT own (yet)
The plans would cut into where the Fair is held and would make the fair much smaller, which the Fair have said "we just wouldn't bother coming"

These plans etc haven't been made fully available as yet and can't properly until HCC acquire the land they need for the full sale to go ahead

I'll believe it when I see it

Good, the development of the city should not be held back for a one week a year event that only takes money out of the city.

Pearson did say there were plans for the development of the stadium, but nobody pressed him on it.

I thought Illicali’s plans were made public months ago and the Council were in favour of it. It included a small stadium about 10,000 capacity for City reserves and us to play in and the use of the stadium for derbies. The stumbling block was where would the fair go.

We need bigger than 10 - even for non Derby matches