AS Gareth Ellis limped off the Headingley pitch back in February the sense of deflation ahead of a season of high expectation was tangible.
What followed in those opening few weeks of the 2013 campaign did little to part the gloomy clouds over the KC Stadium.
Hull FC won just two of their opening nine games and the cost was irreparable, not only to Hull's top four aspirations but also to the stability of Peter Gentle's reign.
It shouldn't have come as a surprise, though, as Hull have become perennial slow starters in recent years.
The first year of Gentle's tenure brought a solitary win in the opening three rounds, while the last season under Richard Agar in 2011 saw no points picked up in February. In fact, you have to go back to 2010 for a Sean Long-inspired win at St Helens for the last time the Black and Whites started the season with a victory.
The old adage about nothing is won and lost in February or March may be true in part, but, as last season showed, a slow start can prove costly. And in a competition as close and tough as the 2014 season is expected to be, playing catch-up on the top six could leave too sizeable a hurdle to overcome.
With a new-look squad, a new coach and new optimism, getting off to a good start would aid the settling in process for Radford. It would also build up some of the faith from fans which threatened to evaporate amid a woeful end to last season.
The arrival of Catalan Dragons to the KC Stadium on Valentine's Day provides such an opportunity.
Catalan were the last side to play at the KC in losing the play-off eliminator back in September and, having the majority of their squad involved in the World Cup with France, the Dragons are making a late return to training.
Hull will have over a month's preparation on the French side by February and with the Dragons set for a possible slow start, the Black and Whites will start as favourites to open up with a win.
Trips to St Helens and Warrington next up will provide an early barometer of Hull's credentials. If performances don't bring points a home game with Bradford and visits to Castleford and Widnes next, while difficult themselves, at least provide an opportunity to climb the ladder.
Where Hull have been fortunate is with the Easter fixtures. Thanks to the away game at Craven Park on Maundy Thursday, not only do Hull not have to travel out of the city over Easter, they play London at home on Easter Monday, but the earlier kick-off provides an extra 24 hours to rest and prepare.
A game at Wakefield the following Sunday brings another long rest and rather than three games in seven days as could have been the case, Hull play three times over a 10-day spell.
It's only a small difference, but one which can have significant repercussions in terms of players' fitness and fatigue in later weeks.
Leaving behind Summer and heading into Autumn, Hull's final three games will provide the type of test that brings that knockout rugby feeling earlier than expected.
A derby at the KC, a trip to last year's Minor Premiers Huddersfield and then the old enemy in Leeds Rhinos to bring the regular season to a close.
It's a tough run that could make Hull battle-hardened for the tests ahead in the play-offs, or break their dreams.
Once again a season of promise and expectation lies ahead. The familiar names are lying in wait and predicting results is becoming increasingly hard.
There's going to be tears of joy and despair, but for once Hull fans will hope they're not in equal measure.
