FORMER York Knights assistant coaches Paul Cooke and Ged Corcoran have teamed up at Featherstone Rovers.
Cooke has been appointed as the West Yorkshire club’s new head coach, with Corcoran joining Ian Hardman as assistant coach.
He had been at the helm for 18 months - helping the club to the League Leaders’ Shield in 2023 and a sixth-placed finish last time out.
After a break from the sport, Cooke returned to rugby with the Knights ahead of the 2024 season, where he was well-regarded for his flair and ‘out of the box’ thinking.
He worked alongside both Andrew Henderson and Mark Applegarth as the club secured a fourth-placed finish - their highest in five years - and joined Featherstone in November.
Before turning his hand to coaching, Cooke also had a glittering playing career, turning out for both Hull FC and Hull KR.
The three-time England international was among the scorers as the Airlie Birds won a dramatic 2005 Challenge Cup final, and went on to score 70 tries, 545 goals, nine drop-goals and 1,379 points across over 400 professional appearances.
Speaking on his new role, Cooke said: “I was sad to see James Ford leave but I know from my previous spell playing at the Club how passionate the Rovers fans are about their team and I’m hugely excited and honoured to help lead this quality group of players we have this season.
“I have worked closely with Ged previously and we genuinely are a great combination, we both share the same vision for how the game should be played and we know inside out out each other’s strengths and weaknesses to form a good partnership.
“Together with Ian’s history at the Club and knowledge of the playing squad, we are confident we can look forward to a strong 2025 season.”
Corcoran had been heavily linked with a move to Featherstone earlier in the week, with the Knights confirming his departure this morning.
The 41-year-old first made the move to York ahead of the 2023 season, a role in which he combined with that of Ireland head coach.
Well regarded at the club, he was influential in bringing Irish youngsters James Farrar and Jack Brown to the city over the off-season.
“I have always had a great respect for the Featherstone Club, its strong supporter base and the place the Club has at the heart of its community,” he explained.
“I have also watched with interest since Paddy’s [Handley] involvement at the Club, the efforts being made to re-establish the Club.
“I’m really keen to work alongside Paul again and also with Ian to not only ensure the playing squad has a successful season but also connects to its supporter base.”
