Sadness as Sheffield Eagles' legend dies suddenly aged 71
Coach won Challenge Cup against the odds with Eagles
The legendary former Sheffield Eagles coach who guided the club to Challenge Cup success has died, aged 71.
The RFL today announced the death of John Kear, who was in charge of the Eagles when they shocked the Rugby League world by beating Wigan at Wembley to lift the trophy in 1998.
He died died suddenly on Sunday afternoon returning north from Wembley, having been part of the BBC’s commentary team for the Betfred Challenge Cup Finals the previous day.
Announcing his death, the RFL described his 1998 win with Sheffield as “perhaps the greatest shock in the 130-year history of the competition.”
He had a coaching career which lasted more than 700 matches.
He also 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.
Nigel Wood OBE, Chair of the RFL said: “On behalf of the whole sport, our thoughts and condolences are with John’s wife Dawn, his family, and with 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 which saw him oversee more than 700 games across a career which included coaching England in the 2000 World Cup, Wales in the 2017 and 2021 World Cup, oversaw Challenge Cup victories at Sheffield Eagles and Hull FC, and most recently took Batley Bulldogs to the Championship Grand Final.
“But John was also an excellent broadcast summariser with a great turn of phrase and an undiluted love and positivity for the sport.
“It was always a pleasure to see John, at Wakefield Trinity games most recently, as he was full of energy and enthusiasm for the game he clearly loved and had given him so much, in the same way he had given back.”
Dave Woods, the Sky Sports commentator who became a close personal friend of Kear’s through their commentary partnership for the BBC, said:
“This is devastating news for all of us, but especially for Dawn and for all of John’s family, and I'm sure the whole sport will join me in sending our deepest condolences.
“He was a great Rugby League man, the most passionate and eloquent of evangelists for the sport, who relished the opportunity to do that on radio and television for the BBC.