Former Super League head coach John Kear dies aged 71

Former Super League and international head coach John Kear has died aged 71.

Kear passed the milestone of over 700 games as a head coach in 2025 and was co-commentator on the BBC on Saturday for the Challenge Cup final.

He most famously led Sheffield Eagles to arguably the greatest upset in Challenge Cup final history when they defeated Wigan in 1998 at Wembley.

He also achieved another major upset when he masterminded Hull FC's cup win against Leeds in 2005 in the final in Cardiff.