Horne appointed as new Doncaster boss
Doncaster RLFC have appointed Hull FC reserve coach Richard Horne as their new head coach.
Horne replaces Gary Thornton who left the club last month and joins with the Dons sitting fifth in Kingstone Press League One.
The 34-year-old spent the whole of his playing career with the Airlie Birds, clocking up 387 appearances over a 16-year-spell which saw him score close to 600 points for the club before retiring in 2014.
While taking over the duties as Dons head coach, he will also remain in his role at the KCOM Stadium in order to allow him to stay in touch with the full-time world of rugby league.
Horne said: “It’s been in the process for a couple of weeks now so it’s nice to finally get the deal done and I can’t wait to get started. It was a job that interested me and after speaking to Carl I wanted to come down and work with the lads.
“We’ve got a good squad here – I know quite a lot of the lads and they’re a good bunch. There is a good togetherness within the squad at the minute and that is something I want to build on.
“There is no reason why we can’t push for promotion and I think that Rhys, Pete and myself can work together and build on the success we’ve had in recent weeks and really kick on for the rest of the season.”
Dons’ CEO Carl Hall said: “I’m delighted that Richard Horne has agreed to join us here at the Dons. It hasn’t been an easy process but myself and the club really feel we have got our man as Richard ticked all the boxes for us.
“He has been a one club man all of his career which for me says a lot about his loyalty and dedication as a person. We wanted someone who has been working in a full-time rugby league environment as we have ambitions of going full-time ourselves.
“I would also like to add that today we announce not just a head coach, but a coaching team in Richard Horne, Pete Green and Rhys Lovegrove.
“We have every confidence that we have put together a group of people that all have the desire and knowledge to get us playing an exciting brand of rugby, along with changing the culture of the club taking us to the next level.”
Horne’s first game in charge of the Dons will be away to Whitehaven on Sunday 25th June.