Kear is eager to test his mettle in new surroundings against Trinity old boys

The West Yorkshire club pulled off a major coup when securing the services of the experienced Kear in September as their replacement for Halifax-bound Karl Harrison.

The former England chief, who memorably led both Sheffield Eagles and Hull FC to Challenge Cup glory, had spent the last six years at Belle Vue and is one of the most respected coaches in the game.

Having dropped down from Super League to the Championship to accept Batley’s offer, Kear is relishing the new challenges ahead which – with the 2012 fixture list announced this morning – will start with a Northern Rail Cup tie at Jason Demetriou’s Keighley Cougars on Sunday, February 12.

They know each other well given Demetriou played more than 170 games for Trinity, acting as the manager’s on-field lieutenant most notably in the famous £1m relegation decider against arch-rivals Castleford in 2006, before being released last year.

The Australian, 35, took over as Cougars player-coach and immediately inspired them to promotion from Championship One.

Kear, 56, pictured, told the Yorkshire Post: “It’s going to be the old Wakefield boss against old Wakefield players as there’s not just JD at Keighley now.

“They’ve signed a couple more in Michael Korkidas and Sam Obst as well for this season and it should make for a fascinating first game of the Northern Rail Cup.

“We’re all looking forward to it. We’ve finished our own planned recruitment and are training well.

“It’s obviously going to be a whole new venture for me – I’ve watched plenty of Championship RL but this is a different experience.”

While Batley have had their own overhaul since Harrison’s departure, Kear believes Keighley are plotting a major assault of their own when the league campaign gets underway on March 8.

The capture of classy Australian half-back Obst – who finished last season with Hull FC after moving when Wakefield entered administration – is a sign of their intent.

“They must be spending some money,” said Kear.

“Sam – and Korkidas, too – will require considerable investment so Keighley are speculating to get the results. Only time will tell if that’s the correct course.

“But I am very surprised there hasn’t been a place in any Super League club for Sam.

“He’s certainly Super League quality and you’d think a player of his ability would warrant a spot in at least three or four clubs’ squads.”

Demetriou, meanwhile, has shown his coaching quality early.

“He’s had a great first season, winning the Championship One play-off final to gain promotion and winning man-of-the-match in that game when he was inspirational,” said Kear. “But when we’ll find out his true mettle is when he stops playing and has to influence from the sideline rather than in the middle.

“I’m sure he’ll be playing for another year yet, though.”

Batley start their Championship campaign at Northern Rail Cup holders Leigh on Thursday, March 8, the first league game to be televised live by new broadcast partners Premier Sports.

Kear said: “That will be a test of our own mettle especially as we’re away at Featherstone the Sunday before in the Northern Rail Cup so that’s two tough back-to-back fixtures.

“Leigh will be one of the front-runners I reckon, especially as they’ve managed to keep players like John Duffy, and make some good quality signings.

“But Featherstone Rovers won’t be far away again. They are champions and have the resources while their record in recent years is very impressive, losing just three or four games in the regular season. They are the benchmark.”

Ironically, Daryl Powell’s Rovers side begin their title defence at Keighley on Sunday, March 11, with Dewsbury Rams hosting Chris Thorman’s York City Knights, Halifax at home to Hunslet Hawks – recently taken over by Wales assistant Barry Eaton – and Sheffield Eagles welcoming Swinton Lions while, in Championship One, Doncaster entertain Whitehaven.

Harrison’s first game in charge of Halifax will be their Northern Rail Cup contest at Dewsbury on Sunday, February 12, but, for his Mount Pleasant successor, the aims are clear.

“We just want to improve on last season,” said Kear.

“Batley finished third but went out in the first play-off game, while also they got to the Northern Rail Cup quarter-finals, so, we need to qualify for the play-offs and win at least one game and get further in the Northern Cup.

“Then we’ll take it from there.”

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