Rugby league mourns John Kear: Leeds Rhinos, Wakefield Trinity and others pay tribute to iconic coach
The rugby league world has paid tribute to John Kear following the former coach’s sudden death yesterday (Sunday), aged 71.
Kear passed away during his journey home to South Yorkshire from Saturday’s Betfred Challenge Cup final at Wembley, where he had been working for the BBC. Born in Castleford, Kear operated the scoreboard at Wheldon Road as a youngster and went on to play 133 games for his hometown club from 1978-87.
He had a spell on the backroom staff there - including analysing opponents Hull KR before Castleford’s 1986 Cup win - and made debut as a head-coach with Leeds club Bramley. He was later in charge at Paris St Germain, Sheffield Eagles, Huddersfield-Sheffield Giants, Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity, Batley Bulldogs, Bradford Bulls and Widnes Vikings. At international level he coached France, England and Wales.
Kear’s final coaching job was last year as interim-boss of Batley, his second spell at Mount Pleasant. This season he was a matchday host at Wakefield and continued his long-term role as a pundit with BBC television and radio.
Among his greatest achievements was saving Trinity from relegation in 2006, having joined the club when they were cut adrift at the foot of the table. Trinity owner Matt Ellis paid tribute to Kear as “a fantastic head coach, the best commentator in the game [and a] huge figure on game days in recent years in our hospitality”.
He added: “More importantly, John was a lovely man and is a Wakefield Trinity man through and through. His passion for the club shone on every game day. I will miss his sense of humour and professionalism.”
Trinity stayed up after beating Tigers, who went down instead, in the final game of the campaign. Even so, Kear never lost his love for his hometown club and a Castleford statement said: “We would like to send our deepest and most sincere condolences to his family and friends at this very sad time. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
Wigan Warriors, where Kear spent time as assistant-coach, were “deeply saddened” by the news, describing Kear as “a man who loved rugby league”. Rhinos offered “deepest condolences to John's wife Dawn, his family and his many friends in the game”, while Trinity supporter, former footballer and Sky TV icon Chris Kamara hailed a “great character and a lovely fella”.
Castleford legend and 1999 Man of Steel Adrian Vowles said his “life is richer” for knowing Kear, adding he was a “champion in every sense of the word”. Paul Cooke scored the crucial try when Kear’s Hull FC side beat Leeds at Cardiff in the 2005 Challenge Cup final. He wrote: “Rest in eternal peace boss. You gave me the greatest rugby league day of my life, for that I’m indebted to you forever!”
Hull FC chief operating officer Tony Sutton said: “I, and everyone across the club, was deeply saddened to hear about John’s passing. He was a true rugby league man through and through, with a deep knowledge of the game, who always had time to stop for a chat whenever you saw him.
“Like many supporters and people associated with our club, the memories of John’s time with us, particularly that wonderful day at the Challenge Cup Final in Cardiff in 2005, will be in our minds today. I’m sure many will join us in thinking about John and his family today, and offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
That was Kear’s second Cup triumph as a head-coach, seven years after he masterminded Sheffield’s shock Wembley win against Wigan. A club statement said: “Everyone at Sheffield Eagles is saddened by John’s passing. He will always be remembered as the coach who delivered our finest hour and as a man whose passion for rugby league touched countless players, staff and supporters throughout the game.”
A Batley statement remembered Kear as a “monumental figure in our sport and a cherished member of our Bulldogs family”. It went on: “John was integral to the Bulldogs’ success, both on and off the field for a lot of years. We will all fondly remember our incredible 2016 Super-8s campaign, a historic run that rightfully earned him the Championship coach of the year award.
“Answering the club’s call for guidance, John returned to us late last year to lead the squad once again. A testament to his enduring loyalty and passion for the Bulldogs. We will deeply miss John’s commanding presence, his empathetic voice, and above all, his friendship.”