Davy Litten on Hull FC competition, kicking on, and the season gone by.
Hull FC star Davy Litten. (Image: Hull FC)
There can be a tendency for a sportsperson to sit still after a breakthrough season, but not for Hull FC’s Davy Litten. In fact, it’s anything but, with the 22-year-old already gearing up for another big year.
Looking to grow and get better, Litten knows he needs a big pre-season to kick on and keep his place in the team. For there’s new competition now and friendly fire, with Hull desiring strength in depth in every spot, recruiting Catalans centre Arthur Romano to the club.
And for Litten, who was ever present alongside Lewis Martin on FC’s left edge after returning from injury, it’s very much game on. That competition is what he, Zak Hardaker, and co. want, and it will ensure John Cartwright gets the very best out of a side already targeting more incremental improvement in 2026.
“It’s only been two weeks since we broke away, but I’m already chomping at the bit,” Litten, speaking to Hull Live, said. “But I suppose that’s a good thing. I’m really looking forward to pre-season – it’s a new year with a new squad and no one’s spot will be guaranteed.
“It will be competitive, and I’m sure Arthur and Zak will be working as hard as possible to get one of those centre spots come round one. But that will bring the best out of us all.
“I’ve watched Arthur over the years and he’s a great player, a great French player coming out over there, and he’s a good addition to the team. I also read Zak’s interview with you the other month and he said, ‘Whoever we sign, let’s go.’ And that’s exactly what it is: friendly competition. We’ll all be working as hard as we can to get this club back to where it belongs. I can’t wait.”
Hull broke away for their off-season period a fortnight ago. They return for pre-season on November 3, with many new signings reporting to training, including Jake Arthur, who has already arrived from Australia. And that recruitment has buoyed Litten, with more forwards arriving and strength in depth sought.
“Richie (Myler) didn’t miss a jump last year on recruitment; he absolutely killed it, to be honest with you,” Litten continued. “He got everything that we needed, and I feel like he’s nailed it again.
“Sam Lisone – he’s a good’un, but all of them, Jake Arthur, Joe Batchelor, James Bell, etc. – it’s a new group now but I’m sure everyone in that group has the same desires and will want to go out there and do something special, but we need to work hard first and gel together.”
Working hard is what Litten prides himself on. The ball of energy in Hull’s team, the outside back, is everywhere. Whether celebrating, chasing that kick, or running that support line, he covers every blade of grass. He doesn’t know any different, but that ensured a solid year for his hometown club – and now it’s time to kick on.
“I fully enjoyed it,” Litten said. “I started off injured in the rehab room and then I got a good run of games together. I found my love for the game again, like I was loving it when I got the opportunities in 2023.
“I pride myself on hard work and ever since that operation, I tried to work as hard as possible to get myself back to where I was. I didn’t leave any stone unturned. But that was then, and this is now, and it’s a different opportunity and a different challenge this season. I’m hungry for more now. Hopefully I can get the ball rolling from the off and go again.
“I feel like this pre-season needs to be the biggest pre-season that I’ve had in my career, but I’m willing to work hard and I’m willing to put the effort in. I’m willing to do all of that. But to get to the next level, it’s those little things, the one percenters, all those extras. I do them anyway, but it’s to be diligent with them, and then I’ll worry about the rest.
“What’s in my control is working as hard as possible from November to February, and hopefully that gets me in the round one team. As a team we can then discuss our goals for the year, but I want to be in. Again, there’s competition now, plenty of competition, and everyone is going to be raring to go. I’ll just give it everything I can and see where that takes me.”