feel sorry for them

rlhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/14916248.stmrl

I don't. Kear is a real coup for Batley and I'm sure he'll bring a wealth of knowledge from the top level of British rugby league.

As far as english coaches go, there's not a great deal wrong with him. he's won more than most. I think Batley have scored a bit of a coup getting him in charge.

I really don't see the paint being of higher quality in the Championship.

def a massive step down cant see them getting a licence for a good few years but guess you gotta work wherever you can especially in sport

Batley have said previously they don't want a SL licence.
Happy as they are in the Championship.
Kear could be a good choice for them.

lots of untreated wood at batley should keep him happy.

I did have a good chuckle when i saw this announced

Our screens are being littered with ex superleague coaches, Noble now kear who are/where doing a bit of moonlighting in Championship 1 as well

Seems a massive backward step from Kear, wont can he do at Batley with no ever chance of getting them in SL.

If you get chance watch his interview after joining our club earlier today. It kind of explains JK's motivation, in that he wants to combine other activites (presumably media work), with coaching which he states he doesnt want to give up, so in many ways it's a mutually beneficial deal.

We havent got a prayer of getting into SL anytime soon (we had our chance in 94/95 but the RFL didnt seem to want us), but at our level we still have ambitions. 2 and a half years ago we were agonisingly close to falling into Championship 1, aka the graveyard of professional RL. Since that we've won the NRC and finished 3rd in the league in succesive seasons. A massive progression and something thats been fantastic for our loyal, and occasionally long suffering fans, to be a part of.

Might be hard to understand, in a non patronising way, for supporters of one of the biggest clubs in the world, who expect and usually get success nearly every year, but winning the NRC last year was perhaps one of the best days ever experienced for alot of Batley fans. Especially since before that it was nearly a 100 years since our last trophy!

Hopefully, with John's credentials and ability to develop younger players, he can take us to the next level and win us the Championship. Might not get us into SL but would be an amazing achievement for a club of our size, and something our fans would never, ever forget. So there is still a challenge for JK, even if it isnt at the most elite level.

On another note, good luck in the SL play offs....always liked the Wigan club since growing up watching RL in the 80's and seeing your 'dream team'. Hope you win a second successive title.

Excellent post.

I suddenly have a new appreciation for Batley.

It's about his level.

Great post. I could feel the passion in that post

I feel a bad for laughing at Kear now, Batley is still somebodys club after all. Hope you have every success in the future even with mr happy in charge.