Veteran Kear has ‘unfinished business’ with Bradford

APPROACHING his 66th birthday, John Kear still shows no signs of slowing up having signed a new two-year contract to complete some “unfinished business” with Bradford Bulls.

One of the most popular and well-respected coaches of recent times, the veteran former Hull FC, Wakefield Trinity and England chief has extended his stay with the Championship club until the end of the 2022 season.

Kear, who is also in charge of the Wales national team, joined Bradford prior to 2018, tasked with a difficult rebuild to get back into Super League.

He helped them earn promotion from League 1 and last season – although narrowly missing out on the play-offs – enjoyed the high of stunning Leeds Rhinos in the Challenge Cup.

“I believe the club has made massive strides forward off the field and there is a sense of unfinished business about how we have progressed on it,” said Kear, who won the Challenge Cup with both Sheffield Eagles and Hull.

“There is a lot of uncertainty around the sport at the moment and I believe it is a commendable show of confidence by the club to look to start making plans despite the uncertainty. We have plenty of optimism that we can build on what we have already achieved and push towards our goals in the next couple of years.”

Bradford had won two of their opening four league games and also almost upset Trinity in the Challenge Cup before coronavirus halted affairs in mid-March.

Kear added: “We want to build a squad that can form the nucleus of a side for years to come and having spoken with Mark (Sawyer) we were keen to get this deal done so we can look at retaining and signing players. I am sure the fans will be eager to get back – if they stick with us there are positives times ahead I am certain.”

Bulls chief executive Sawyer said: “The club and its backers are doing their very best to navigate ourselves through the current turmoil and our long-term objectives remain unchanged. To achieve that we have to start thinking about the future and who we wanted to lead the charge and JK was the obvious solution.”

Meanwhile, former Bradford second-row John Bateman – the England star now playing for Canberra Raiders – is facing more time out after being told he needs further shoulder surgery.

Bateman, reportedly offered a lucrative five-year deal to return to Wigan Warriors next term, had been due to return next week.