Hull FC are pleased to announce the appointment of Andy Last as the club’s new assistant coach from the 2025 season.
The 43-year old will leave his position with Catalans Dragons at the end of the current campaign to rejoin his hometown club as part of John Cartwright’s new-look performance department, signing a three-year contract.
Last, who also currently holds the position of England assistant coach, is one of the most highly-respected coaches in the game, and returns to the Black & Whites after a four year spell away from the club to continue his long association with his boyhood side.
As a player, Last came through the club’s junior ranks before making his professional debut in 1999 – he made 29 senior appearances before hanging up his boots in 2005 having had his playing days disrupted by injury; he immediately joined the club’s coaching setup under then head coach John Kear, leading the club’s U21s side to Academy Grand Final victory.
After his spell as the club’s Head of Youth Development, Last took on his first assistant coach role under Richard Agar in 2008, before returning to the position following the appointment of Lee Radford in 2013.
He remained part of the club’s performance department through the successful Challenge Cup winning campaigns of 2016 and 2017, before becoming the club’s interim head coach in 2020 following Radford’s departure.
In a season disrupted by Covid-19, Last enjoyed a positive spell and led the side to the Betfred Super League Play-Off Semi-Finals on the back of an impressive winning run, ultimately going down to eventual Grand Final winners Wigan – Last also joined the England performance department that season under the leadership of Shaun Wane.
Following his departure at the end of the season, Last joined Wakefield Trinity as an assistant coach to Willie Poaching in 2021, and took on a similar role as he reunited with Lee Radford at Castleford Tigers in 2022, and took interim charge of the West Yorkshire outfit the following season.
2024 would see Last head for the South of France to link-up with fellow Hull-born coach Steve McNamara at Catalans Dragons, and also took charge of the England side in Toulouse as they overcame France in Wane’s absence in June; but he will return to the MKM Stadium at the close of the current campaign.
Last is Cartwright’s second addition to his new-look performance department, alongside new Head Physiotherapist Andy Shea, whose appointment was confirmed last month.
Further additions will be confirmed in due course.
Speaking to hullfc.com, Last said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank Catalans for allowing me the chance to pursue this opportunity with Hull FC – I have loved my time in the South of France this season. But it’s great to be coming back to Hull – one of the big things for me is seeing that there is an opportunity to come back and help make a difference.
“Another big draw for me is the quality of the youth programme at the club. The whole youth set up is in a really good place at Hull FC, and there are some exciting times ahead with some of the talent currently breaking into the first-team squad. And I have always felt that one of my key strengths during my first coaching spell at the club was coaching the youngsters.”
He continued: “I’m really looking forward to linking up with John Cartwright for 2025. I’ve spoken to Lee Briers, who has worked with him at Brisbane, and also one of Hull’s former players, Mark Minichiello, who played under him at Gold Coast. Both came back and said what a great coach John is, so I’m looking forward to building my own experience and knowledge alongside him.
“I think one of the big reasons why John wanted to bring me in for 2025 was my knowledge of the club. I’m very, very passionate about Hull FC, its supporter base and the city as a whole. I’ve been at the club during some amazing times and also during some really tough times, so I have a real understanding of what the Hull supporters want an FC side to look like and play like.
Hull FC’s Director of Rugby Richie Myler, said: “Throughout the many conversations we’ve had over the last few months, John has made it clear that he wants an assistant coach alongside him who knows the club from top to bottom, and Andy fits that job description perfectly.
“Not only is he one of the most highly regarded and respected assistant coaches in the game, even with a four year spell away from Hull, he knows this club like the back of his hand.
“His energy and passion for Hull FC will be an incredibly positive asset for us moving into 2025 and beyond, and we’re looking forward to him sharing the positive energy with a new-look squad next season – particularly with some bright local talent with whom we know he’ll be able to create really positive relationships with having come through the club’s junior ranks himself.”
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