Sheffield's cup winning coach 'forever a legend' in city, says club after shock death
“Everyone at Sheffield Eagles is devasted to hear the news about John”
Former Sheffield rugby league coach John Kear is forever a Sheffield legend after his shock death, says his former club
Mr Kear pulled off one of the biggest shocks in the city’s sporting history, when Sheffield Eagles beat Wigan to raise the Rugby League Challenge Cup in 1998.
The Eagles, then based at Don Valley Stadium, won the Wembley final 17–8 and the triumph is generally considered to be one of the biggest upsets in the history of the Challenge Cup final. He and the club later returned to a hero’s welcome in Sheffield after the game.
Today, Eagles director, David Butler, paid tribute to the ex-coach, after Mr Kear’s sudden death aged 71.
He said “Everyone at Sheffield Eagles is devasted to hear the news about John, and our love and condolences have been sent to his family.
“John will be forever held as a legend at Sheffield Eagles, most famous for coaching the side to the 1998 Challenge Cup victory, regarded throughout Rugby League as the greatest ever upset in the 130-year history of the competition.
“Despite leaving at the end of the 1999 season, John was always supportive of Sheffield Eagles, and we welcomed him to our dinners to celebrate the 10th and 25th anniversaries of the 1998 win, as well as welcoming him to several other functions and matchday events over the years.
“He would often speak fondly of his time at the club and about the special bond that he and the 1998 squad have maintained over the years.
“John was a popular and respected character in the game, and he will be sorely missed.”
The Rugby Football League announced Mr Kear’s death this morning.
The organisation said he 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.