DECORATED player, coach and commentator John Kear has died after working at the Challenge Cup final. He was 71.
Kear had returned to his home in the north of England after being part of the BBC commentary team at the Wigan-Hull KR decider at Wembley when he died “suddenly”, according to a statement.
No cause of death was given.
He played 133 games for Castleford over the decade from 1978 before making a name for himself as a coach.
His biggest achievement with the clipboard was Sheffield’s 1998 Challenge Cup final win over all-conquering Wigan, regarded as one of the biggest rugby league upsets anywhere, ever.
At international level, he coach France, England and Wales between 1997 and 2025. His most recent club appointment was at Batley just last year.
Social media was flooded on Monday with tributes to a friendly, enthusiastic and knowledgable man.
Pundit and former player Paul Cooke – with reference to their 2005 Challenge Cup success at Hull – said: “Rest in eternal peace boss.
“You gave me the greatest rugby league day of my life, for that I’m indebted to you forever!
“One of the very few I stay in touch with from our great game, thanks for all your help and advice, I’ll miss our chats.”
The RFL today pays tribute to John Kear, who died suddenly on Sunday afternoon returning north from Wembley, having been part of the BBC’s commentary team for the Challenge Cup Finals
Our thoughts and condolences are with John’s wife Dawn, his family and friends pic.twitter.com/i4BmZDz0Kf
— Rugby Football League (@TheRFL) June 1, 2026
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