Rugby league icon John Kear has passed away at the age of 71. The renowned former player and coach for England, Sheffield, Hull, Wakefield, Batley, Bradford, and Widnes was part of the BBC’s commentary team for the Challenge Cup final on Saturday but tragically died the following day.
Kear had a successful 10-year playing career with Castleford before transitioning into coaching with Bramley in 1992. His coaching journey continued with French team PSG and then Sheffield Eagles, where he achieved a significant milestone by leading the team to victory over Wigan in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley in 1998.
In 2005, Kear replicated this success with Hull FC. Following his tenure at Hull, he went on to coach Wakefield, Batley, Bradford, and Widnes. Additionally, he coached the England team during the Rugby League World Cup in 2000, guiding them to the semi-finals.
The Rugby Football League (RFL) expressed its condolences, praising Kear’s contributions to the sport and his unexpected triumphs as a coach. Kear, who was beloved in the rugby league community, had an illustrious coaching career spanning over 700 matches and achieved notable success with various clubs.
Throughout his career, Kear made significant contributions to the sport, including coaching national teams and assisting clubs like Wigan Warriors. Despite his extensive coaching resume, he never had the opportunity to coach his hometown team, Castleford Tigers.
John Kear was a familiar face on the BBC as a commentator for rugby league matches, including recent events like Wigan’s victory over Hull KR. Tributes poured in from clubs like Wakefield Trinity and Hull FC, highlighting his lasting impact on the sport and the fond memories he leaves behind.
