James Ford exits Wakefield for new role in the Championship

Wakefield assistant coach James Ford has left the club to join Championship side Featherstone as director of rugby. 

Former York boss Ford made the switch to Super League with Wakefield ahead of the 2022 season as assistant to Mark Applegarth.

The Super League strugglers sit at the foot of the table and are yet to register their first win of the season in 2023.

Ford, 40, will support Featherstone head coach Sean Long to ‘prioritise on-field coaching and to support the club’s senior management with the administration and management of the club’s rugby operations.’

James Ford on new role

On his new appointment, ex-Featherstone player Ford said: “I’m so excited to take up this unique challenge. Personally, I was attracted to this challenge of working with Featherstone in a new role as everything seems to be progressing very well on and off the field.

“I understand the ambitions of the board and I want to support Sean Long and the players in adding value to what is already a very strong team.

“I want to support Sean and the whole club in driving forward our standards and paying attention to every detail of preparing us for a very bright future.”

“We need to ensure this season that we leave no stone unturned.”

Featherstone chairman Mark Campbell added: “We’re delighted to welcome James to this newly created role.  

“We’re currently in a position where we’re planning extensively for the next phase in this club’s evolution both on and off the field.  

“This role creates greater capacity for the coaching staff to continue to develop an exciting and successful brand of rugby whilst also allowing myself, and the board more time to plan strategically for the club’s very exciting future.

“James will lead on recruitment plans, and will ensure that we maximise the investments we are making in our playing squad and off-field team.

“We need to ensure this season that we leave no stone unturned in driving our promotion challenge forward and James will play an integral part in supporting Sean and the rest of the team in delivering this.”

Ford started his professional playing career with Featherstone, going on to appear for Sheffield, Castleford, Widnes and York, before becoming their head coach.

He became the club’s first ever full-time coach in 2018, having led the side to three consecutive League 1 play-off semi-finals as well as promotion in 2018.

The club reached the Championship play-offs in 2022, upsetting Halifax in the first week to set up a semi-final against Leigh, falling to a defeat.

Wakefield release statement

Wakefield have since released a statement on Wednesday following the departure of their assistant coach.

Ford was lined up to join the Championship outfit for 2024. However, the club agreed to the move with immediate effect.

“The club very recently became aware that James had agreed to join Featherstone Rovers for the 2024 season and after considering all the circumstances, we have agreed with James that he should leave with immediate effect,” the statement read.

“Wakefield Trinity naturally wishes to thank James for the hard work and enthusiasm he has brought to his role and wish him well in the future.

“Options within our coaching team are being considered and further announcements will follow as and when any decisions are made.”

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