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Coaching great John Kear dies day after covering Challenge Cup final for BBC

The Guardian UK Monday 01 June 2026, 10:12 UTC By PA Media 1 min read
Key Points

71-year-old broadcaster passed away suddenly on SundayHe led two sides to Challenge Cup glory in long careerJohn Kear, the rugby league broadcaster and former Challenge Cup-winning coach, has died at the age of 71. The Rugby Football League announced that Kear died suddenly on Sunday on his return from covering Wigan’s Challenge Cup victory at Wembley for the BBC.Kear led nine clubs across a coaching career lasting more than 700 matches, masterminding a shock win for Sheffield Eagles in 1998...

  • 71-year-old broadcaster passed away suddenly on Sunday

  • He led two sides to Challenge Cup glory in long career

John Kear, the rugby league broadcaster and former Challenge Cup-winning coach, has died at the age of 71. The Rugby Football League announced that Kear died suddenly on Sunday on his return from covering Wigan’s Challenge Cup victory at Wembley for the BBC.

Kear led nine clubs across a coaching career lasting more than 700 matches, masterminding a shock win for Sheffield Eagles in 1998 and then steering Hull FC to glory in 2005.

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John Kear (PERSON) Challenge Cup (EVENT) SundayHe (PERSON) Kear (LOCATION) the rugby league (ORG) The Rugby Football League (ORG) Wigan (PERSON) Wembley (LOCATION) Sheffield Eagles (LOCATION) Hull FC (ORG)
Originally published by The Guardian UK Read original →

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