John Kear, the renowned rugby league broadcaster and former Challenge Cup-winning coach, has passed away at the age of 71. The Rugby Football League confirmed that Kear died on Sunday after returning from Wembley, where he had covered Wigan's Challenge Cup victory for the BBC.
A Storied Coaching Career
Kear led nine clubs over a coaching career spanning more than 700 matches. He masterminded Sheffield Eagles' shock Challenge Cup win in 1998 and later guided Hull FC to glory in the 2005 final. Before coaching, Kear played for a decade as an outside back at his hometown club, Castleford. He retired from coaching in 2025 after a second stint with Batley Bulldogs. Kear also coached internationally, taking charge of England, Wales, and France.
Tributes Pour In
Nigel Wood, chair of the RFL, said: "On behalf of the whole sport, our thoughts and condolences are with John's wife, Dawn, his family, and those who played or worked alongside him over the last 50 years. Having had a 10-year career at Castleford, he found his passion for coaching, overseeing more than 700 games, including coaching England in the 2000 World Cup, Wales in the 2017 and 2021 World Cups, and securing Challenge Cup victories at Sheffield Eagles and Hull FC. Most recently, he took Batley Bulldogs to the Championship Grand Final. John was also an excellent broadcast summariser with a great turn of phrase and an undiluted love for the sport."
Hull FC's chief operating officer, Tony Sutton, added: "He was a true rugby league man through and through, with deep knowledge of the game, who always had time for a chat. Like many supporters, the memories of John's time with us, especially that wonderful day at the Challenge Cup final in Cardiff in 2005, will be in our minds today."
