Dane Ward

Sheffield Lad - Bladesman - Mosborough RUFC

Quinn Jackson Ward - 22/04/2018 💙

Remi Winter Ward - 06/02/2020💜

[Sheffield Eagles @SheffieldEagles]

Sheffield Eagles are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Head Coach John Kear.

One of rugby league’s most respected and influential figures, John joined Sheffield Eagles in 1997 and will forever be remembered for leading the club to one of the greatest upsets in the sport’s history. In 1998, he guided the Eagles to a famous 17-8 victory over Wigan Warriors at Wembley Stadium, securing the Challenge Cup for the first time in our history.

After three seasons with the Eagles, John took charge of the merged Huddersfield–Sheffield side in 2000 before embarking on a successful coaching career across several clubs in the sport. Among his most notable achievements was his spell with Hull FC, where he guided the club to Challenge Cup glory in 2005, overseeing their victory over Leeds Rhinos in Cardiff.
Over the course of his career, John also held coaching roles with Wakefield Trinity, Batley Bulldogs, Bradford Bulls and Widnes Vikings. Earlier in his coaching journey, he led Bramley and Paris Saint-Germain and also spent time as an assistant coach with Wigan Warriors.

John’s standing within the game that he was entrusted with coaching at international level, leading France in 1997, England at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup and Wales from 2014 to 2025. His contribution to rugby league, both domestically and internationally, will be remembered for generations to come.

Across a coaching career spanning more than 700 professional matches, he earned a reputation as a passionate leader, outstanding communicator and tireless ambassador for rugby league.

He later received The Rugby League Writers and Broadcasters Association 2025 Merit Award winner, for services to the sport and its presentation in the media, as well as an Outstanding Contribution Award at last season’s Rugby League Awards Dinner following his retirement last year.

Everyone at Sheffield Eagles is saddened by John's passing. He will always be remembered as the coach who delivered our finest hour and as a man whose passion for rugby league touched countless players, staff and supporters throughout the game.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with John’s wife Dawn, his family, friends and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Rest in peace, John.

[The 44 ⚽️ @The_Forty_Four]

Can’t wait for England to lose on penalties and this man to be sat at home watching… https://t.co/KvbdypKazq

[Reverend&TheMakers @Reverend_Makers]

I’m afraid we have some very serious news

Please help

https://t.co/vcxkCEUTnd

[Sheff United Way @SheffUnitedWay]

🔴⚪ Blades, let’s get behind this.

A fellow Blade is taking on an incredible challenge to raise money for Archie, the brave son of his friend Stephen who has sadly been diagnosed with cancer.

They’re walking between every professional football ground in South Yorkshire, a 40-mile journey starting at Doncaster, then Rotherham, Barnsley and Hillsborough.

The final stretch on Sunday will be a 3.5-mile walk to Bramall Lane, completed alongside Archie, his friends and family.

Every donation will help Archie and his family during an incredibly tough time.

If you can, please donate and share ❤️

To donate: https://t.co/5GcScQw4By

#SUFC #TwitterBlades #SWFC

[Dane Ward @dward_87]

@TheSherlocks Bagged one 💪🏻

[The Rock Revival @TheRockRevival_]

That time Arctic Monkeys collabed with Dizzee Rascal 😂

[Arctic Monkeys Archive @arcticmolnkeys]

2006 2026

[Reverend&TheMakers @Reverend_Makers]

Can I borrow your attention for two minutes ? Wrote this out 200 times and it still feels wrong but here goes.

As a lot of you know my Dad passed on a while back. It massively derailed the recording and release of this forthcoming album (it’s now coming out in May)

But it also really derailed me. My Dad was a complex fella. Full of good and bad traits (aren’t we all). Anyway I wanted to do something that sums up the grief process. How it feels when a particular person enters your head. It isn’t a linear thing is it? It comes and goes.

The album isn’t remotely doomy and im not even sure the original concept was about my Dad, but because I recorded it during his final weeks, it shall, in my mind at least always be about him.

I’ve been told that I should release a different song to this because it’s a bit depressing to be on @bbcradio2 and whilst I love being on the radio, some things are about being true to yourself aren’t they?

When we toured recently loadsa people cried when we played this one and so that gave me the confidence to put it out.

Also my dad would have loved the attention 🤣. He was the bands biggest fan. Always letting me know if we’d had a spin on the radio or where the albums had got to in the chart and giving me his feedback on my demos.

I miss him terribly and if you too are struggling with grief there is a helpline you can ring on 08088081677 where the folks at Cruse can advise and assist you.

Without trying to commercialise something tragic l, we do have a limited number of McClure family front covers of the new album which, my dad would be buzzing about. He predicted I’ll have a no1 day, which is sentimental bollocks but we can but try. 🤣

I appreciate you reading and hopefully you’ll watch the full thing on YouTube

Big love
Jon

[Pitchfork @pitchfork]

Arctic Monkeys' debut album, Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not, turns 20 today

See where it falls on our list of the best albums of the 2000s: https://t.co/TYF7jKpzzD

[NME @NME]

"There was all sorts of stuff about cigarettes and stuff… There were some stinkers in there – arguably, there still is"

Today marks the 20th anniversary of @ArcticMonkeys' game-changing debut, 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not'

#ArcticMonkeys

[The Rock Revival @TheRockRevival_]

Would be rude not to post this video today…

[Dane Ward @dward_87]

@Reverend_Makers Merry Christmas Rev! Hope you've had a good one mate and enjoyed some... sweet apple crumble!!!! 👍🏻🥃🍻

[Dane Ward @dward_87]

@cherrystreet71 Merry Christmas to you and yours Ian! 👍🏻🥃🍻

[The Bladesman @The_Bladesman]

⏪ BLADES BACK IN TIME ⏪

Billy Sharp hits George Baldock with Mr Socko after scoring against Norwich City in January 2019.

#twitterblades #sufc

[The Stone Roses @thestoneroses]

RIP our wonderful brother Mani. The greatest bass player and friend we could ever have wished for. X

[Dane Ward @dward_87]

@TheSherlocks Can't wait

[𝕸𝖗 𝕹𝖀𝖘𝖙𝖆𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖔 @dooneydoom]

RIP Sam Rivers. One of the badass bass players of its existence! 🕊️😢

[Dane Ward @dward_87]

@curtiswoodhous8 😂👍🏻

[Dane Ward @dward_87]

@TheSherlocks 🤙🏻

[Tight Five Rugby @TightFive_Rugby]

🦁 The Lions signing the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond in the middle of the MCG after sealing the series!

Iconic.