French connection broken to bring relief for Trinity

IT may not have happened in the most subtle of ways but few could argue that the decision to ensure John Kear stays at Wakefield is not a good one.

Catalans Dragons were interested for a reason; the esteemed coach knows how to engineer winning positions for his teams.

Challenge Cup success with both Sheffield Eagles and Hull FC speak volumes and – though recent results at Belle Vue may suggest otherwise – the 55-year-old is an asset, and no one will be happier to see him remain in situ than the West Yorkshire club themselves.

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Kear yesterday re-affirmed his desire to remain at Wakefield where he has a contract that lasts until the end of 2011.

Catalans had been ready to offer him a three-year deal starting next season but, as they could not agree a compensation package with the club, the move never materialised and he is going nowhere.

Many might expect Kear to be aggrieved by the stalemate – imagine the splendour of life in the south of France – but nothing could be further from the truth for he was never actually looking for a move.

"People somehow think my agent approached them," he told the Yorkshire Post.

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"That's not true. David Howes was approached by Catalans and all he did was pass on the information.

"I've been up front with the club all the way through and was allowed to speak to Catalans.

"Anybody in that position has to listen to what's to be said. That's life.

"I'm in my 50s and I've been back-stabbed in my life; ask any player, you have to address these situations.

"But I've been totally up front with Wakefield

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"I was flattered to be identified by Catalans and interested to hear of their plans for the future.

"However, more than four years of my life have been invested in the Wildcats' progression.

"We are achieving Super League recognition with our regular top-eight status, including a best-ever top-five spot last season, and our extensive development of young players.

"We have already launched our recruitment programme for the 2011 season and are looking forward to providing a solid rugby base for the club's RFL licence application to complement the progress being made with the plans for a new stadium."

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All that the events of recent days have confirmed, since Catalans made public their interest in Kear, is that the manager's stock has risen.

Catalans, who remain rooted to the bottom of Super League after just three wins this season, are in need of a coach to invigorate them. Kevin Walters will return to Australia at the end of the season having failed to do so.

But now, with the decision taken out of his hands, the former England coach is looking forward to advancing Wakefield.

They may have won just once in the last nine games but Wakefield's progress – on and off the field – since he took over in 2006 is the reason why they are so keen to retain his services.

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Having saved them from relegation when he took charge four years ago, Kear has been crucial to their on-going stability in Super League.

He is also a member of their board and is pivotal in many off-field matters as well as the running of the first team.

And he insisted the prospect of moving to France had not figured in his thinking.

"It's never crossed my mind," said Kear, ahead of Sunday's tough trip to Crusaders, ironically after a defeat in Perpignan. "I'm not disappointed about the outcome. My plan has always been to take Wakefield forward.

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"I want to see us make the play-offs two years on the bounce and I'm just getting on with the work.

"We've lots of things to address, not least our performances at the moment.

"We need to pick that up but we've made consistent improvements.

"We've had a best-ever finish of fifth last season, reached Challenge Cup semi-finals and so there's been lots to look upon."

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Catalans would undoubtedly have offered Kear a bigger budget to work with and the lifestyle in the south of France would have been idyllic.

Also, their future when the Super League licences are renewed for 2012 would have been far more secure given Wakefield's work on a new stadium has yet to begin.

But, having played such a key role in the development of youngsters like Dale Ferguson, Aaron Murphy and Luke George, he insisted: "People think I can easily just swap jobs but I've had four exciting years at Wakefield.

"I want to carry that on. We need to make plans to make ensure it (a licence) happens.

"It's vital we get in with this. We need to make plans to make sure it evolves and I'm a part of that."