Former Super League stalwart and Leeds Rhinos’ Grand Final-winning forward Brett Ferres has been appointed as head coach of Goole Vikings, with the 40-year-old succeeding Scott Taylor.
Ferres, who boasts almost 300 Super League appearances, has spent the final two seasons of his career at Goole Vikings, playing at first in League One and then in the Championship during the current 2026 season.
The Vikings’ campaign is now over and the club have announced the exit of head coach Scott Taylor, who is joining his former club Hull FC, as well as the exit of a number of players.
Ferres had already confirmed his retirement and as expected, he’s now been announced as the man to succeed Scott Taylor and become the new head coach of Goole Vikings.
After a playing career that spanned over 20 years and saw him win the 2017 Grand Final with Leeds Rhinos, whilst also earning 16 appearances for England, he’s now made the next step in his career.
RIP Sir Billy, under-the-radar challengers, Hull KR’s controversial call and more – Click here to watch this week’s episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
Former Leeds Rhinos Super League champ Brett Ferres appointed as Goole head coach
Confirming his appointment as their head coach, Goole released a short statement to announce that their captain would become the new coach and leadership certainly won’t be a trait that Ferres lacks.
The club statement confirmed: “The 40-year-old has been working towards his coaching qualifications throughout the 2026 season and has made no secret of his ambition to move into coaching following his retirement from playing.”
Goole also pointed to his experience working under some of the sport’s very best coaches as a reason to why he can lead them going forward, stating: “That experience, together with the relationships and network he has built throughout rugby league, as well as his unrivalled passion for the role and the club were significant factors during an extensive review and recruitment process undertaken by the Vikings over recent months.”
Speaking on his new role, Ferres said: “I’m incredibly proud to be given the opportunity to become head coach of Goole Vikings, a club and a town that has become really important to me.
“I’ve been fortunate to be part of the journey from the beginning and I’ve seen first-hand how much work has gone into getting us to where we are today – what the club has achieved in such a short time is extraordinary.
“I’ve always felt I’d enjoy the move into coaching when my playing career finished and I’ve been working towards my qualifications throughout this season, so to get the opportunity to begin that next chapter here is something I’m really excited about.”
🤝 ANNOUNCE BRETT
The start of our next chapter.
The Vikings are delighted to confirm the appointment of 15-time England international and former club captain Brett Ferres as our new head coach.
Leader. Legend. Viking from the start.
Read the full story below, including… pic.twitter.com/TAtt0MD1vx
— Goole Vikings RL (@GooleVikingsRL) September 2, 2026
