Spears named Featherstone club captain

Featherstone head coach John Bastian has appointed Tim Spears as club captain.

Spears is about to start his sixth season with the club since joining from Batley in 2009, and has been a virtual ever-present during the four seasons Rovers have been crowned Championship League leaders.

Bastian said: “Tim has very good leadership and personal qualities that will set the standards for the rest of the squad. He is a well-rounded and well-mannered individual  and is a player his colleagues rightly look up to. He plays the game with honest values and he is a hardworking and energetic player. These important attributes are backed up by excellent communication skills which is vital for a captain.

“He has a presence within the squad and is well respected by players and all staff at Featherstone Rovers. I am thrilled that Tim has agreed to take on this privileged opportunity of being captain of Featherstone Rovers.”

Bastian is ultimately the successor to Daryl Powell, who left the Bigfellas Stadium midway through last season to take up the head coach role with Super League side Castleford.

Spears said: “I am delighted and immensely proud to be given the opportunity to captain this fantastic club that I supported from being a youngster. The boys are working exceptionally hard in our state of the art facilities to give us the best possible preparation for the tough challenges 2014 will bring.”