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John Kear dies aged 71 just hours after rugby league legend commentated on BBC cup final

Iconic rugby league coach John Kear, who led Hull, Sheffield, Wakefield and Bradford among others, has died aged 71

[John Kear]

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John Kear has died aged 71(Image: Getty Images for RLWC)

Rugby league legend John Kear has died aged 71. The iconic former England, Sheffield, Hull, Wakefield, Batley, Bradford and Widnes coach had commentated on the Challenge Cup final for the BBC on Saturday, but died suddenly on Sunday afternoon.

Kear enjoyed a 10-year playing career as a threequarter with Castleford before beginning his coaching journey with Bramley in 1992.

From there, he joined French side PSG ahead of the inaugural Super League season. In 1997, he joined Sheffield Eagles, where he enjoyed his finest hour as a coach springing one of the biggest shocks in rugby league history as the Eagles beat the mighty Wigan at Wembley to lift the Challenge Cup in 1998.

It was a feat he repeated at coach of Hull FC in 2005. After Hull, he had a five-year stint as Wakefield boss before taking charge of second-tier sides Batley, Bradford and Widnes in his later coaching years.

He also took charge of England at the Rugby League World Cup in 2000, taking them to the semi-finals.

In a statement, the RFL said: "The RFL today pays tribute to John Kear, who died suddenly on Sunday afternoon returning north from Wembley, having been part of the BBCs commentary team for the Betfred Challenge Cup Finals the previous day.

"Kear, who was 71, was loved and admired throughout the sport and well beyond, having become a popular and respected broadcaster with the BBC, and having plotted two memorable and unexpected Challenge Cup Final victories during his long and distinguished coaching career.

"Firstly, with Sheffield Eagles against Wigan at Wembley in 1998 in perhaps the greatest shock in the 130-year history of the competition and, then, with Hull FC against Leeds Rhinos in Cardiff in 2005. They were two of the nine clubs he worked for in a career which lasted more than 700 matches.

"Kear played a key role in an unlikely survival mission for Wakefield Trinity in five seasons at Belle Vue, and most recently in two stints with Batley Bulldogs, finally retiring at the end of last season.

"He was also an assistant at Wigan Warriors and coached the national teams of France, England and Wales, as well as Great Britain Academy on a tour of New Zealand in 1996 when he was employed by the RFL as player performance manager.

[John Kear]

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Kear during his time as Wakefield coach(Image: PA)

"Perhaps surprisingly, one club he never coached were his beloved Castleford Tigers, having been born and raised close to the clubs ground on Wheldon Road, and making over 100 appearances for them in his playing career as an outside back.

"He earned an appearance on the famous BBC video 101 Great Tries for a score against Hull KR in 1984 set up by John Joyner and Bob Beardmore. Kear was, however, Mal Reillys assistant when Castleford won the Challenge Cup in 1986."

Kear was a mainstay on the BBC as a commentator and broadcaster of the Challenge Cup, including Saturday's victory for Wigan against Hull KR.

His former club Wakefield tweeted: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of legendary coach and broadcaster John Kear.

"As a club, the whole of Wakefield Trinity would like to pass on our thoughts and condolences to his wife, family and friends during this time and join the Rugby League family in saying he will be dearly missed."

Hull FC added: "Hull FC are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Head Coach John Kear.

"An iconic figure in the British game, Kear led the Black & Whites to their iconic 2005 Challenge Cup Final triumph in Cardiff, and oversaw over 700 games as a coach across the last four decades.

"The thoughts and condolences of everyone across the club are with Johns wife Dawn, and all of his family and friends at this difficult time."

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