Cooke to be new Doncaster coach

Paul Cooke is to be the new coach of Doncaster after Tony Miller decided to step down at the end of the season.

Cooke, 32, infamously scored the winning try for Hull FC in the 2005 Challenge Cup final and he commented: “I wanted to stay involved in the game after leaving Wakefield in 2010 and a good opportunity arose at Doncaster and one thing has led to another.

“Tony leaves us in good shape and has brought the club a long way since getting beat by an amateur team in the Challenge Cup a few years ago to become the best club and head coach in Championship One last season.

“I’m really looking forward to the new challenge and I will do my best to improve the players not only as individuals but as a group of players.

“I’d like to thank Carl Hall, John Scarrow and Steve Scholes for giving me this exciting opportunity and a thanks also to our fans for bringing me to the club and for their much valued support.

Miller has been involved with the Dons for 23 years as a player, captain, assistant coach (three times) and head coach (twice). He has decided to call it a day due to his ongoing work commitments and Cooke paid tribute to the 2012 Championship One coach of the year.

“A massive thanks to Tony and the backroom staff for helping me in my return to the game and I’d like to finish off by congratulating Tony on his success as a coach and wish him and Debbie all the best for the future.”

Cooke, who has amassed over 1000 points in his career, will also continue his playing role for the Yorkshire club in 2014.