Chris Chester (rugby league)

Chris Chester (born 8 October 1978) is an English professional rugby league coach who is the former head coach of Wakefield Trinity in the Betfred Super League and Scotland at international level, and a former professional rugby league footballer.

Chris Chester
Personal information
Full nameChristopher Chester
Born (1978-10-08) 8 October 1978
Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight13 st 6 lb (85 kg)
Playing information
PositionLoose forward, Second-row, Stand-off
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1996–99 Halifax 73 16 15 1 95
1999–01 Wigan Warriors 43 5 0 0 20
2002–06 Hull F.C. 103 14 0 0 56
2007–08 Hull Kingston Rovers 36 5 0 0 20
Total 255 40 15 1 191
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
2014–16 Hull Kingston Rovers 31 16 0 15 52
2016–21 Wakefield Trinity 161 64 1 96 40
Total 192 80 1 111 42
Representative
Years Team Gms W D L W%
2018 Scotland 4 0 0 4 0
Source: [1][2]
As of 11 August 2021

As a player, Chester played in the forwards for the Halifax, Wigan Warriors, Hull F.C. (with whom he won the 2005 Challenge Cup) and Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League.[3]

He was the head coach of Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League, however his resignation was announced in February/March 2016.

On 10 August 2021, A statement from Wakefield Trinity said that they had parted ways with Head Coach Chris Chester, with Willie Poching talking over as interim coach.[4]

Background

Chester was born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. He attended Kettlethorpe High School whose P.E. teacher at the time was the former Leeds Rugby Union winger and ex-England Head Coach, Stuart Lancaster.

Playing career

The former Stanley Rangers junior was captain of England Schools before he signed as a professional with Halifax. He made an impression in 1998's Super League III, where he was the runner-up for the Young Player of the Year award.

He moved to the Wigan Warriors in 1999 and played from the interchange bench in their 2000 Super League Grand Final defeat by St. Helens. He also played for the Wigan Warriors from the interchange bench in their 2001 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Bradford Bulls.

Chester then moved to Hull FC, and played in the 2005 Challenge Cup Final from the interchange bench in the victory over the Leeds Rhinos.[5] After spending seven years at Hull FC, Chester joined the Hull Kingston Rovers for their inaugural season in Super League and played for the club for two seasons.

Coaching career

Chester retired from playing following a serious neck injury and took up a role as first team coach of Hull Kingston Rovers.[6] He has previously been on the coaching staff at Castleford Tigers.[7] In 2014, Chester was promoted to head coach following the departure of Craig Sandercock. In his first full season as head coach Chester guided Hull Kingston Rovers to the 2015 Challenge Cup Final, but his team were soundly beaten. On 24 February 2016, Hull Kingston Rovers dismissed Chris Chester as head coach following the home defeat by Wakefield Trinity (Wildcats) on 21 February 2016, they had gained one point from their opening three matches in Super League XXI.[8]

On 16 March 2016, Chester was appointed Head Coach at Wakefield Trinity with immediate effect following the departure of Brian Smith.

Chester guided Wakefield to 8th position in the table in 2016 and 5th the following season. In 2016, Chester also led Wakefield to a Challenge Cup semi-final. On 10 August 2021, Chester was terminated as head coach of Wakefield after recording only four wins in the 2021 Super League season and with the club sitting second last on the table.[9]

References
  1. Rugby League Project
  2. Rugby League Project Coaching
  3. "Hull's Chester switches to Rovers". BBC. 11 December 2006. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  4. "Wakefield part ways with Chris Chester". BBC Sport. 10 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  5. "Hull stun Leeds in Challenge Cup". BBC News. 27 August 2005. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  6. "Hull KR hand Chester coaching job". BBC. 20 January 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2010.
  7. "Tigers sign new academy coaches". BBC. 22 October 2008. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  8. "Chris Chester sacked as Hull KR head coach". bbc.co.uk. 24 February 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
  9. "Wakefield Trinity part company with head coach". www.skysports.com.
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