OUTSPOKEN MCDERMOTT IN ROVERS RETURN
BRIAN MCDERMOTT insists he doesn’t regret his “northern town clubs” comment despite taking over at one. Featherstone Rovers’ new coach famously claimed two years ago that Super League needed to look beyond small towns in the north and
by JULIE STOTT instead spread into big global cities.
He had just clinched promotion with Toronto and said expansion like that was the best way to attract better TV deals and major sponsors.
Months later the Wolfpack folded and Mcdermott now finds himself in charge of spearheading part-time Featherstone’s bid for promotion to Super League.
He said: “It wasn’t a crack at any one club because I have total respect for the traditional teams and rugby league needs them. But we also need something else because staying as we are, or with slight variations, is not the answer.
“Bigger broadcasting deals and investment is not going to come by having the same teams from the north of England.
“I never said you have to have either or because teams like St Helens and Leeds are some of the best sporting environments in the country.”
Featherstone lost the 2019
Million Pound Game to Toronto and also missed out on promotion recently to French side Toulouse.
But Mcdermott is convinced they can make it third time lucky next year – and that they will deserve to be in Super League.
He said: “It’s never been in question that Featherstone are a very progressive club.
“They are one of the most progressive clubs in the game.
“It’s a ballsy challenge to get into Super League but that’s what I have been brought here for and I’m really excited. There are not many clubs that have the ambition Featherstone have.
“That script of doing something that hasn’t been done before is one of the main reasons I’m here.”
Mcdermott won four Grand Finals in charge of Leeds but is relishing the chance to turn a part-time side into a top-flight club.
He added: “I do not look at the part-time aspect as a negative. It just means that when the players are in I have to be very good.”