Rugby league icon, John Kear, has passed away at the age of 71. The former player and coach, known for his stints with various teams including England, Sheffield, Hull, Wakefield, Batley, Bradford, and Widnes, tragically died after commentating on the Challenge Cup final for the BBC on Saturday.
Kear started his coaching career in 1992 with Bramley after a successful 10-year playing career with Castleford. He later moved on to coach French team PSG and then joined Sheffield Eagles in 1997, where he achieved a remarkable victory by leading the team to win the Challenge Cup against Wigan in 1998.
His coaching journey continued with Hull FC in 2005, where he secured another Challenge Cup triumph. Kear also had coaching spells with Wakefield, Batley, Bradford, and Widnes, accumulating over 700 matches in his coaching career.
Additionally, Kear led the England national team to the semi-finals of the Rugby League World Cup in 2000. The Rugby Football League (RFL) expressed their condolences, highlighting Kear’s significant contributions to the sport as both a coach and a broadcaster.
Known for his memorable victories with Sheffield Eagles and Hull FC, Kear’s impact on the rugby league community was profound. He also played a crucial role in the survival of Wakefield Trinity and had coaching roles with national teams like France, England, and Wales.
Despite his extensive coaching career, Kear never had the opportunity to coach his hometown club, Castleford Tigers. He was a respected figure in the sport, known for his broadcasting work with the BBC covering events like the Challenge Cup.
Tributes poured in from his former clubs, with Wakefield Trinity and Hull FC expressing their deep sadness at his passing. Kear’s legacy as a successful coach and beloved broadcaster will be dearly missed by the rugby league community.
