FC’S JOSH HOLDS EXIT TALKS
HODGSON CONFIRMS HALF-BACK STAR IS LEAVING HULL EARLY
JOSH Reynolds’ mental state is okay despite the high profile story of him leaving Hull FC.
Brett Hodgson confirmed the club are in talks regarding Reynolds’ future, with the Australian player set to leave once those talks have been finalised.
The Mail reported last week that FC had lost patience with their marquee half-back’s form and would look to cut ties.
Despite all the criticism the player is still in good spirits, according to his fellow Australian head coach.
“At this stage I believe he is okay,” Hodgson told the Mail.
“I know that the players have been reaching out to him. I’ve reached out to him as well.
“He seems to understand the scenario at hand. Obviously he is disappointed and would have preferred to continue playing.
“The decision has been made now - it’s not 100 per cent finalised. We need to wait on a couple of things and wait on the management of Josh and our club to reach those final details.”
The news of Reynolds’ impeding departure comes after a two-week break for FC’S players, with the squad given a few days off.
They returned to training this week, with Hodgson impressed with the response given the news on the popular player.
A big decision from the club, it follows similar calls made last year on the likes of Mahe Fonua and Marc Sneyd.
“It’s a decision that has been made with the club’s interests first and foremost and that’s the most important thing,” Hodgson continued. “From my perspective the decisions I make and the decisions we make as a club are about winning games and getting to the business end of the season.
“There’s a lot that is good about being a head coach but there are also some tough challenges and tough conversations in particular none more tough than this.
“At the same time, and I’ve said it from the minute I’ve come into this role, that I will put the club first.
“We want this club with such proud history to get to semi-finals and then beyond that. It takes time, and sometimes a lot longer than people would want and I understand that, but there are steps that are put in behind the scenes constantly.
“This one is a bit more public and a bit more heightened because of Josh’s stature in the game but it’s the same regardless of what player it is, the club comes first.”
“I imagine shock initially,” the head coach revealed when asked about the reaction of the playing group. “It’s been a time to freshen up both mentally and physically.
“The boys have been really good this week. They’ve reacted to the news very well.
“They’ve obviously supported Josh through this time but they’ve also come back and trained hard.
“The boys like having Josh around and he was good for the environment. He’s a good person too. Unfortunately for us and for a club it just wasn’t working on the field.
“I feel as a club and as the coach that we have handled it the right way and the honest way. Hopefully both parties can move on.”