Gallagher returns to Lions

Tommy Gallagher has returned to Swinton Lions as their new assistant coach.

Gallagher has twice been a fan favourite as a player at the club, with him achieving promotion with Swinton in both stints.

He scored five tries in 13 games in the 2011 season as the Lions lifted the Championship One trophy.

And Gallagher made 22 appearances in the 2015 campaign, scoring eight tries for the club.

The former prop forward also appeared for Leeds Rhinos, Keighley Cougars, London Broncos, Widnes Vikings, Toulouse Olympique, Hull KR, Batley Bulldogs, Rochdale Hornets, Leigh Centurions and Dewsbury Rams in his 13-year career.

He retired at the end of the 2015 season and has since gone into coaching, with the bulk of his coaching development coming at Wigan Warriors.

And Lions head coach Stuart Littler is delighted to welcome Gallagher back to the club again.

He said: “I’m really made up to be able to announce that a great coach, but also an even better person, has accepted our offer to join the Swinton Lions coaching team.

“Tommy Gallagher was a well-respected forward who represented Swinton amongst a good few others in a distinguished playing career. Since leaving Swinton in 2015, Tommy has been developing his coaching skills within Wigan’s youth and school pathways.

“Tommy is a highly-regarded up and coming coach who will bring in some fresh ideas. Once I knew that Jay [Duffy] would be moving on, we acted as quickly as possible to ensure we would have the right people involved within our coaching team.

“I am really excited to work with Tommy and I know exactly what he will bring. Also, I want to wish Jay Duffy all the best in his future coaching career, whilst also thanking him for his work over the last couple of years at Swinton.”