Former York Knights head coach takes on new role in championship

Ford was a longtime Knights player and head coach, first joining the club in 2011 before taking the hotseat in 2015.

After guiding York to promotion from Betfred League One in 2018 and stabilizing the club in the Betfred Championship, Ford’s side made the play-offs in 2019 and again in 2022 before suffering a 70-10 semi-final loss to eventual promoted Leigh Leopards had to accept -final phase.

The 40-year-old left York in 2022 before the Knights hired Andrew Henderson to replace him.

Ford moved to Wakefield Trinity to take on the role of assistant coach in support of Mark Applegarth.

But after 12 consecutive defeats, Ford has left Wakefield to join club rivals Featherstone as the new rugby director.

Ford will join Sean Long, Leon Pryce and Ian Hardman and the club are aiming for promotion to the Betfred Super League.

Featherstone are currently at the top of the championship, six points clear of the Sheffield Eagles. The team is unbeaten in 11 games and has yet to lose a point in the division.

Ford was also a player at Featherstone in the early days of his playing career, representing Rovers from 2003-05.

As a full-back, he made six tries in 34 games before leaving for Sheffield, where he made nearly 100 appearances for the Eagles.

He will join Long at Featherstone, with the St Helens legend enjoying a very successful first managerial role in rugby league.