Andrew Thirkill and David Hood have taken over Hull FC with Adam Pearson saying a “bright future” now lies ahead, despite losing their illustrative Grade A status for next season
Andrew Thirkill and David Hood have taken over Hull FC with Adam Pearson saying a “bright future” now lies ahead, despite losing their illustrative Grade A status for next season Andrew Thirkill and David Hood have taken over Hull FC with Adam Pearson saying a “bright future” now lies ahead, despite losing their illustrative Grade A status for next season
Adam Pearson says Hull FC can enjoy a “bright future” after he agreed a deal to sell the club.
The Black and Whites chairman will hand over ownership after reaching an agreement with ex-Leeds Rhinos president Andrew Thirkill and fellow businessman David Hood. Talks had been ongoing for some time but Pearson, who initially bought Hull in July 2011, is now ready to hand over the reins. After a disastrous few seasons on the field, missing out on the play-offs for four years running and progressively finishing worse each time, FC fans are desperate for things to change.
They finished 11th this time and won just three Super League games all season. They also saw their illustrative Grade A status from last year dropped to Grade B for the 2025 campaign when the results of the new IMG grading process were announced last month. In a statement released today, Pearson said: “After positive and detailed investment discussions, I am delighted to announce that the club has entered into and agreed an exclusivity period with successful Yorkshire businessmen Andrew Thirkill and David Hood OBE.
“This will allow them to complete the process of the transfer of one-hundred percent ownership of Hull FC in an orderly manner. Andrew is the Chairman of Age Partnership and Pure Retirement; David was joint founder of Pace PLC and is the Chairman of private aviation company Multiflight at Leeds Bradford Airport. The new owners have committed to provide sufficient funding to allow the club to regain its Grade A status, and provide the club with a new management structure and team to improve its ranking in that grade.
“I will be delighted to hand over the reins to Andrew as the club’s new Chairman – his love for the sport of Rugby League and passion for success provides a perfect combination for the club to thrive once more under his leadership and guidance; emphasised by his long-standing position as Club President of Leeds Rhinos, along with an outstanding business career over many years.”
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Pearson oversaw back-to-back Challenge Cup final wins in 2016 and 2017 but, despite big financial support, was never able to see them reach Old Trafford during his reign. Standards have dropped off significantly in recent seasons with the club now on their third [five including interims] head coach since the long-serving Lee Radford was fired in March 2020.
Richie Myler came in as director of rugby in April, shortly after head coach Tony Smith was sacked. Aussie John Cartwright has now arrived to take over as head coach for the 2025 season on a three-year deal. Pearson added: “After 13 years of ownership, it has been critically important to me to transfer the club into the right hands, and this event certainly ticks all those boxes.
“I will continue to assist the new board in business matters in relation to the club in a consultancy capacity. Director of Rugby Richie Myler will continue to control all playing matters, and our coaching and performance departments.
“This change of ownership heralds a bright future for Hull FC. We need all of our supporters to rally together to restore unity and pride in our famous club. The club will again have a powerful board to enable the team to compete at the right end of Betfred Super League.”
Mirror – Sport