WEMBLEY — John Kear died at the age of 71 on Sunday afternoon while travelling back north following the Challenge Cup Final. The Rugby Football League confirmed his death.
Kear had been working as part of the BBC’s commentary team the day before his death during the Challenge Cup Final between Wigan Warriors and Hull KR at Wembley. His sudden passing prompted tributes from across rugby league.
RFL chair Nigel Wood 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.” Wood added, “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.” Wood also noted, “But John was also an excellent broadcast summariser with a great turn of phrase and an undiluted love and positivity for the sport.” He said, “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.”
Rugby League commentator Dave Woods 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.” Woods added, “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.” Woods also said, “But I’ll remember him as simply the best of blokes, humble, friendly, cheerful, always smiling, always happy to talk to anyone, especially about Rugby League.”
Kear made 133 appearances for Castleford between 1978 and 1988 during his playing career and was born and raised close to the club’s Wheldon Road ground. Although he never coached Castleford Tigers, his coaching career spanned over 700 matches and included roles at Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity, Bradford Bulls, and two stints as head coach of Batley Bulldogs, from which he retired at the end of last season.
His coaching achievements included guiding Sheffield Eagles to a Challenge Cup victory over Wigan in 1998 and leading Hull FC to win the 2005 Challenge Cup Final against Leeds Rhinos in Cardiff. He also coached England during the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, taking them to the semi-finals, and served as head coach of Wales for 11 years, leading them in the 2017 and 2021 Rugby League World Cup tournaments.