Much missed club legend John Kear will be high in Wakefield Trinity’s thoughts at Old Trafford today.

John Kear coached Trinity from 2006-2011, famously saving them from what seemed to be certain relegation just weeks after taking charge. He was back with Trinity, as a matchday host at Belle Vue, before his sudden death in May, aged 71.

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Among the players given their first team debut by Kear was forward Jay Pitts, who will retire after Saturday’s sold-out Betfred Super League Grand Final against Warrington Wolves.

John Kear seen in 2011 when he was coach of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. Picture by Vaughn Ridley/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — John Kear seen in 2011 when he was coach of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. Picture by Vaughn Ridley/SWpix.com.

Pitts described Kear as a “legend” and pledged winning the trophy for the former team boss will be extra motivation. “I think everyone around here will be thinking the same thing, of doing him proud and hopefully bringing back the trophy,” he said.

Pitts went on: “I loved John. He was an amazing bloke and a great person. He really cared for his players and he gave me the confidence to be able to play in [Super League] games. If I didn’t have his backing I wouldn’t have been able to go out and do it.

“He’s someone I was really close to. Even when I left he dropped me text messages and stuff like that.

“When we won the million pound game with London he dropped me a message saying good luck - he was a really lovely person and I am sure he will be helping us out this weekend, looking down.”