Former Bradford Bulls, Wigan Warriors and Great Britain legend Stuart Fielden takes up head coach role with amateur club

Stuart Fielden, one of the great names of rugby league in this country during the noughties, has taken up the opportunity to be the head coach of National League Conference Division 3 side Beverley ARLFC next season.

The amateur team, located to the north of Hull, have been looking for a new head coach since the conclusion of last season when they suffered relegation from National League Conference Division 2.

Despite winning their last two games, Beverley were relegated after winning just six league matches in the 2022 campaign.

The club are now looking for promotion back to the second division and just over a month after advertising for a new coach, they have their man in the shape of former Great Britain legend Fielden.

The 43-year-old last played in Super League for Huddersfield Giants in 2013 but made his name at Bradford Bulls, where he played over 200 games between 1998 and 2006.

In that time Fielden became one of the greatest props in the world, helping the Bulls to an unrivalled period of success as they swept up the domestic honours each season, including the unprecedented treble in 2003 and the World Club Challenge in 2006.

Later in 2006 he joined Wigan Warriors for a record £450,000, making him the most expensive cash only transfer of the Super League era.

Fielden would win another title with the Warriors, while also accumulating 35 international caps combined for Great Britain and England throughout his career.

A knee infection saw Fielden’s playing days end at 33, but he has now taken the opportunity to return to the sport with the task of turning around Beverley’s fortunes as head coach.

Announcing the news on their Twitter feed, Beverley ARLFC said: “We are very pleased to announce our new Head Coach for the 2023 season, Bradford, Wigan & Great Britain legend Stuart Fielden will be taking the reigns of the first team, this is a Massive boost for the club ahead of our rebuilding process.”

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We are very pleased to announce our new Head Coach for the 2023 season, Bradford, Wigan & Great Britain legend Stuart Fielden will be taking the reigns of the first team, this is a Massive boost for the club ahead of our rebuilding process.

🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷🔶🔷 pic.twitter.com/UWwiNQxo1H

— Beverley ARLFC (@BeverleyARLFC) October 18, 2022