James Ford (rugby league)

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.

James Ford
Personal information
Full nameJames Ford
Born (1982-09-29) 29 September 1982
Yorkshire, England
Playing information
PositionFullback, Wing, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003–05 Featherstone Rovers 34 6 0 0 24
2005–08 Sheffield Eagles 78 49 0 0 196
2009 Castleford Tigers 10 2 0 0 8
2010–11 Widnes Vikings 16 6 0 0 24
2011–14 York City Knights 57 23 0 0 92
Total 195 86 0 0 344
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
2015–22 York City Knights 91 64 1 16 70
2023– Featherstone Rovers 8 7 0 1 88
Total 99 71 1 17 72
Source: [1][2][3]
As of 8 October 2023

Playing career

As 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

York Knights

After 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

On 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
  1. loverugbyleague
  2. Rugby League Project
  3. "Player Summary: James Ford". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  4. "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.
  5. "Highly-rated coach James Ford signs historic new deal with York City Knights". Yorkshire Post. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  6. "James Ford commits to long-term deal at York City Knights". Total Rugby League. League Publications Limited. 7 November 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  7. "James Ford resigns as York City Knights head coach after transformative reign". York Press. 11 October 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  8. "Our New Director of Rugby: James Ford". Featherstone Rovers RLFC. 16 May 2023.
  9. "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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