It's interesting and not unsurprising that there are so many mixed opinions about this departure. Gentle was very good with the media, had a very 'laid back' style and was clearly a very knowledgable person in relation to the game and a good supporter of young talent.

Hull played some of their best rugby in years under Gentle and during the few games that this happened, there were occasional glimmers of what could potentially be. He made some positive changes at the club and was generally considered a 'nice guy.'

None of this makes him a leader of men, who would have the consistent respect of his coaching colleagues, staff and players. He had a healthy pedigree as an assistant in Australia, but that's all. If rumours are to be believed, there has been unrest among the ranks for some time. If left unaddressed, that is unsustainable. The inconsistency the team has shown this year is unacceptable, by anyone's standards.

On occasion, the performances against the better teams have been admirable, but the performances against the lower half of the league and also the two worst games at Wembley and then at Huddersfield would demand intervention by ANY club. That's just a fact, with little to argue against.

There is a strong argument to suggest that some of the players need holding to account. The coach doesn't take to the field, etc. This is true. The coach is responsible for the discipline, consistency and ultimately the results, none of which have been regularly apparent this year.

In my opinion, if the club is going to move forward it needs a local focus, built upon passion and pride in the shirt and the club. Just look at the player of the year awards. It was littered with examples of players who were Hull born or who had come though the academy structures.

Radford is untested as SL Coach yes, but he is no novice to coaching or the game. He is a local product, who has won more silverware than many in the game as a player and been among some great talent, including great coaches. He is respected by the fans, players and broader game. Andy Last is a workhorse, totally committed to Hull FC, with a strong track record of producing and supporting real talent. If rumours are true and Paul Cooke is coming in to support the half back school and maintain links with youth via the dual registration at Doncaster - what better? Richard Horne as Head of Youth would be the icing on the cake. It would instil pride, passion and be built upon the clear evidence base of the academy products and related developments. It's not a knee jerk reaction. It's a professional, well thought through, commercially astute response to rebuilding Hull FC.

I for one, on one level, am sad to see Gentle go, as professionally he was much better than we have had in a long time and on a personal level it must be tough for him and I appreciate that it would be hard for him and all involved to leave mid-way through am expected tenure. However, as a Hull FC fan and long term season pass holder, I believe honestly that these moves are in the best interest of the club and the long term success of Hull FC.

Come on You Hull!

One thing i will give AP, he very much more clued up on contracts than the 3 fools who we had before

Unwanted players, unwanted coach. Pearson is wealthy, but he hasn't got a bottomless pockets

I wish some of the clowns playing for us hadn't signed their contracts.

If they don't play a game they don't count on the cap. So we'd have to wait for the new season (1 nov?) and reach an agreement. If we fail to do that we'd have to pay their contract up in full.

It's not going to happen by the way, we'll sign 1 maybe 2 "projects" from the Wc.

www.hullfc.com/article/30882/clu ... ter-gentle

www.hullfc.com/article/30882/clu ... ter-gentle