Gary Wilkinson (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
Gary Wilkinson is an English rugby league
coach who was recently head coach of the Sheffield Eagles
and subsequently in temporary charge of Doncaster RLFC
Wilkinson had a career as a player in the amateur leagues in Hull
before moving into coaching where he proved he could develop young players and produce winning teams. After a successful spell as Hull KR
’s Academy boss he took over the first team in 2002, winning the Northern Rail Cup and reaching the quarter finals of the promotion play-offs. He fell victim to changing fortunes in the Robins’ boardroom and moved on to Hull as under-21s coach and had a brief spell on the backroom staff at Doncaster Dragons. In 2004 he was appointed coach of the successful GB Students’ squad. In 2006 he was head coach of the Sheffield Eagles
.
Wilkinson was a part-time coach at the Eagles, on weekdays he runs a pest control business in Hull. When he was appointed at the start of the 2006 season he immediately helped the Eagles by bringing in players from the Hull area and from the student game. The team took time to gel but eventually finished second in National League Two after an eleven game unbeaten run, qualifying for the play-offs. They then beat Crusaders and Swinton Lions
to gain promotion to National League One. He resigned as the Eagles' head coach on October 15, 2006, citing personal reasons.
In April 2007 Wilkinson made a dramatic return to rugby league coaching when he took temporary charge of Doncaster Lakers following the suspension of their coach Keiron Dempsey and his assistant. His first game in charge was against the Sheffield Eagles at the Don Valley stadium and Wilkinson's team recorded a victory by 24 points to 20. In May 2007 Doncaster entered into a CVA to avoid potential liquidation and Wilkinson was told not to continue as coach.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
coach who was recently head coach of the Sheffield Eagles
Sheffield Eagles
Sheffield Eagles RLFC are an English rugby league club based in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Their home games are played at Bramall Lane after leaving Don Valley Stadium in late 2009....
and subsequently in temporary charge of Doncaster RLFC
Wilkinson had a career as a player in the amateur leagues in Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
before moving into coaching where he proved he could develop young players and produce winning teams. After a successful spell as Hull KR
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
’s Academy boss he took over the first team in 2002, winning the Northern Rail Cup and reaching the quarter finals of the promotion play-offs. He fell victim to changing fortunes in the Robins’ boardroom and moved on to Hull as under-21s coach and had a brief spell on the backroom staff at Doncaster Dragons. In 2004 he was appointed coach of the successful GB Students’ squad. In 2006 he was head coach of the Sheffield Eagles
Sheffield Eagles
Sheffield Eagles RLFC are an English rugby league club based in the South Yorkshire city of Sheffield. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Their home games are played at Bramall Lane after leaving Don Valley Stadium in late 2009....
.
Wilkinson was a part-time coach at the Eagles, on weekdays he runs a pest control business in Hull. When he was appointed at the start of the 2006 season he immediately helped the Eagles by bringing in players from the Hull area and from the student game. The team took time to gel but eventually finished second in National League Two after an eleven game unbeaten run, qualifying for the play-offs. They then beat Crusaders and Swinton Lions
Swinton Lions
Swinton Lions is an English professional rugby league club from Swinton, Greater Manchester. The club has won the Championship six times and three Challenge Cups. They currently play in the Championship.-Early years:...
to gain promotion to National League One. He resigned as the Eagles' head coach on October 15, 2006, citing personal reasons.
In April 2007 Wilkinson made a dramatic return to rugby league coaching when he took temporary charge of Doncaster Lakers following the suspension of their coach Keiron Dempsey and his assistant. His first game in charge was against the Sheffield Eagles at the Don Valley stadium and Wilkinson's team recorded a victory by 24 points to 20. In May 2007 Doncaster entered into a CVA to avoid potential liquidation and Wilkinson was told not to continue as coach.