Brian McDermott quits as Featherstone coach after semi-final defeat

George Riley 26 Sep 2022 4:00 PM

Brian McDermott Featherstone coach SWpix — Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

Brian McDermott has resigned as head coach of Featherstone after the club’s shock defeat to Batley in the Championship play-off semi-finals.

The legendary former Leeds coach leaves after just one season at Post Office Road, with Rovers seeing their season ended by Craig Lingard’s inspired Bulldogs.

“I feel my departure will give the club the opportunity to take a new direction,” said McDermott. “Hopefully they will be able to build upon the progress made this year.

“I came to the club with a clear objective to achieve promotion to Super League; an objective which unfortunately has not been achieved.”

McDermott is the most decorated coach in the Super League era. He won four Grand Finals with Leeds in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017.

But on replacing James Webster he was unable to propel ambitious Featherstone towards their promotion dream, with the Centurions huge favourites to take that place when they meet Batley in the Million Pound Game next Sunday.

Assistant coach Adam Cuthbertson is also expected to leave the club having not been offered a new deal. He will now call time on his own illustrious playing career that saw him win Grand Finals under McDermott in 2015 and 2017.

Featherstone chairman on Brian McDermott exit

Rovers chairman Mark Campbell said: “Brian has worked tremendously hard this year to reach our promotion goal and we respect his decision after yesterday’s defeat to move on.

“I would like to place on record my thanks for his efforts and wish him all the best moving forward.”

Featherstone dominated the early part of the season. They were top of the table up until their defeat by Leigh in the 1895 Cup final.

Rovers then lost twice more to Leigh in the Championship to fall off the title pace. They also lost at home to Batley before tasting defeat again as the Bulldogs reached the Grand Final.

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