Featherstone appoint Jon Sharp as head coach

Featherstone Rovers have confirmed that Jon Sharp has been appointed as their new head coach, signing a two-and-a-half year contract.

The Featherstone-born former Rovers player is delighted to be taking over at the club, after leaving his role as the RFL’s head of match officials earlier today.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be back in club coaching, especially at a club which means so much to me,” said Sharp.

“I enjoyed my time working with the sport’s match officials but I really missed being involved with the cut and thrust of working with players and preparing for games on a weekly basis.

“I played at Featherstone for a couple of seasons almost 20 years ago and have great memories of that time: I also cut my teeth as a coach with the club’s Academy and there is a real sense of ‘coming home’ about being here again.

“Featherstone Rovers is one of the sport’s most famous names and I feel honoured and privileged to have this chance.

“It’s a long time since Featherstone were in the top flight and my aim is to put the club back where it belongs. That hasn’t really been achievable during the Super League era but the new league structure has given the club a realistic chance of achieving its ambitions.

“We play Leigh Centurions this weekend and it’s a tough start but one I’m sure everyone here at Featherstone is looking forward to: Leigh have set the standards in the Championship in the last two years and this is an opportunity for Featherstone to show what we are capable of.

“There is a cracking squad here at Rovers, a good strong blend of experienced players and high quality youngsters: my job is to bring out the best in them and that’s the most exciting part of it for me.

“The facilities here at Featherstone really are first class: the Big Fellas Stadium is the best stadium in the area by a long way and the training facilities are outstanding, all of which is a credit to the club’s chairman Mark Campbell.

“Mark’s ambitions for the club, both on and off the field, are infectious and have inspired me to come and work at Featherstone.”