Steve McNamara has waited a long time to return to Hull FC – but the club's new head coach insists this is no fairytale homecoming.

The Hull native has followed the Black and Whites since he was eight and represented them as a player before deciding they could not match his ambitions.

McNamara's decision was vindicated when he won the 1997 Super League title with Bradford Bulls and it has taken him this long to find his way home.

But the 55-year-old has stressed that sentiment alone would never have been enough to bring him back. He believes the Airlie Birds are now capable of challenging for honours.

"The club's at my heart," said McNamara.

"I started following it in 1979 when I was eight. I got to play from 1989 into the 90s but ultimately I left the club because I didn't feel the club could fulfil what I wanted to achieve as a player at that stage. I didn't think it was ambitious enough and made a decision to go.

"I've had chances in the past to come back but they weren't the right time for me in terms of where I felt I was at or where the club was at.

"It's not a dream. It's not the fairytale. It's something I really, really wanted to do.

Steve McNamara has been tasked with reviving Hull's fortunes. (Photo: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

placeholder image — Steve McNamara has been tasked with reviving Hull's fortunes. (Photo: Ed Sykes/SWpix.com)

"But I need to make it clear that I wouldn't have done it unless I thought this club could really improve, could really start to challenge at some point moving forward and could fulfil the ambitions I've still got as a coach to be successful."

The former England and Catalans Dragons boss takes over a club fresh from another disappointing Super League campaign.

Hull ended the year in 11th place, marking a sixth season without play-off rugby.

But McNamara believes the club have the right people in place to start moving forward, starting at the top with owners Andrew Thirkill and David Hood.

It was another forgettable season for Hull. (Photo: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)

"I think the potential for growth is the biggest area here," said the Hull boss, who guided Catalans to League Leaders' Shield and Challenge Cup glory, as well as two Grand Finals.

"This is a juggernaut of a club but it's just not got itself going for a period of time.

"The only thing that's been consistent is the level of support we get from the fans. That's the only thing.

"But I do feel with the ownership we've got, with the facilities within Hull University, which I feel have got so much potential for growth, the team's got so much potential for growth, that it was the right time.

Steve McNamara enjoyed success with the Dragons. (Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)

"Without that ambitious streak from the owners of wanting to do something and me feeling I could, I wouldn't have just taken this job because it was easy to come back to Hull and be close to my family.

"I love the club and everything else. And I'm pretty driven as a coach – I want to be successful."

Hull have long been regarded as one of Super League's sleeping giants, a view McNamara shares.

His immediate challenge is to turn the Black and Whites into play-off contenders.

"I feel that this club has got the biggest potential for growth," added McNamara. "It's underachieved for a long period of time.

"We can start making growth pretty quickly. We've got to play catch-up to a lot of the other teams at this stage.

"But I know step by step, if we keep working hard every day, which we will do, and we stay consistent in terms of what we're going to do, we have a chance of closing the gap."