James Ford (born 29 September 1982) is an English professional rugby league coach who is the Director of Rugby at Featherstone Rovers in the Betfred Championship, and a former player.
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | James Ford | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 29 September 1982 Yorkshire, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback, Wing, Centre | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Coaching information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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As of 23 Jun 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career
editAs a player Ford played in the Super League for Castleford Tigers and the Widnes Vikings, as a fullback but also played at centre, and on the wing. Ford signed initially for the Featherstone Rovers as a youth in 1998, before moving on to the Sheffield Eagles, and then Castleford in 2008. Ford made his first-grade début whilst playing for the Castleford Tigers in Super League in a 28–6 win away to the Warrington Wolves in 2009's Super League XIV, and he went on to make a total of eight appearances, scoring once. In late 2009, he left the club for Widnes. During his playing and early coaching career, he was a lecturer at Wakefield College.[4]
Coaching
editYork Knights
editAfter retiring as a player in 2014, Ford took over as head coach at York, and became the club's first ever full-time coach in 2018.[5] In November 2021, he extended his contract with the club until the end of 2024.[6] In October 2022 Ford resigned from York to become assistant coach at Super League club Wakefield Trinity.[7]
Featherstone Rovers
editOn 16 May 2023 he was announced as the new Director of Rugby at Featherstone Rovers.[8] He was later announced on 18 Aug 2023 to take over as head coach following the sacking of Sean Long.[9]
References
edit- ^ loverugbyleague
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ "Player Summary: James Ford". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 23 June 2024.
- ^ "York coach James Ford explains how teaching has helped his coaching career". Total Rugby League. League Publications Limited. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Highly-rated coach James Ford signs historic new deal with York City Knights". Yorkshire Post. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "James Ford commits to long-term deal at York City Knights". Total Rugby League. League Publications Limited. 7 November 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "James Ford resigns as York City Knights head coach after transformative reign". York Press. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ^ "Our New Director of Rugby: James Ford". Featherstone Rovers RLFC. 16 May 2023.
- ^ "James Ford gives first interview after being chosen as the man to guide Featherstone Rovers to Super League". Love Rugby League. 18 August 2023.
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