Shropshire Star

Jon Sharp leaves role as head coach of Featherstone

The former Huddersfield coach has left the LD Nutrition Stadium after two years in charge.

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Featherstone have parted company with head coach Jon Sharp on the eve of the Super 8s Qualifiers.

Sharp, who took Huddersfield to the Challenge Cup final in 2006, leaves the LD Nutrition Stadium after just over two years in charge and with just one week left of the regular Championship campaign.

Rovers have already guaranteed their place in the Qualifiers after finishing in the top four for the second successive year and will go into them with a new man in charge. The club plan to announce Sharp’s successor at a press conference on Tuesday.

Sharp’s contract was due to expire at the end of the month and he was informed on Monday that it would not be renewed.

Featherstone chairman Mark Campbell said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Jon for his efforts over the past couple of years.

“A decision to bring in a new head coach for 2018 has been taken and we feel leaving Jon in charge for the Qualifiers, only for him to depart in October, would make little sense. He leaves with our best wishes and we are now looking forward to seeing how our Super 8s campaign unfolds.”

Sharp, who was in charge of referees during a short spell with the Rugby Football League before returning to coaching, said: “It is with pride I look back at the successes we achieved, with highlights being the 2015 Championship Shield win over London and us becoming the first part-time team to achieve back-to-back top-four finishes – and a Challenge Cup quarter-final.

“I want to thank the fans who have been amazing. To my staff, I thank them for their support and loyalty and to the players, who have been a pleasure to coach and a joy to work with.”

Assistant coach Danny Evans and head of strength and conditioning Billy Mallinson have also left the club.

Former Hull and Wakefield boss Richard Agar, currently assistant to Tony Smith at Warrington, is being linked with the role.

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