Steve Linnane
Encyclopedia
Steve Linnane is an Australian former rugby league
footballer of the 1980s and 90s, and coach of the 2000s. After playing club football in the Winfield Cup
for St. George and Newcastle, he moved to England where he became coach of Rochdale, Halifax and Hull Kingston Rovers.
in 1985. He was named Dally M Rookie of the year and was also the season's top try scorer with 16 tries. Also playing in that year's Grand Final, he narrowly missed out on a premiership in his debut season as the Bulldogs beat the Dragons by just one point. In 1987 Linnane was suspended for 20 weeks by the NSWRL judiciary for eye gouging Penrith's Greg Alexander
. He stayed with the Dragons until 1990 when he was sacked as a disciplinary action, then moved to the Newcastle Knights
for the 1991 season.
and Warren Ryan
from 1997 to 1999, and then became head coach at English club Rochdale
in December 1999. He quit in June 2000 to join Super League
club, Halifax Blue Sox
as assistant coach to Gary Mercer
. Following Mercer's resignation in 2001 he was in temporary charge but was later appointed head coach of Halifax on a two-year contract. He was sacked in August, 2002, the morning after a 64-0 loss to St. Helens which came after nine losses from ten games which put the club at risk of relegation. Linnane then became the Hull Kingston Rovers
club's first overseas coach. Under him, the club came within eighty minutes of their first grand final
appearance in 2002, after a largely successful end to the season. In 2004 he resigned.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1980s and 90s, and coach of the 2000s. After playing club football in the Winfield Cup
Winfield Cup
The Winfield Cup was an Australian rugby league trophy awarded to the winner of the New South Wales Rugby League premiership's Grand Final from 1982 to 1994, and to the winner of the Australian Rugby League Grand Final in 1995...
for St. George and Newcastle, he moved to England where he became coach of Rochdale, Halifax and Hull Kingston Rovers.
Playing career
As a young halfback, Linnane was signed to the St. George DragonsSt. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
in 1985. He was named Dally M Rookie of the year and was also the season's top try scorer with 16 tries. Also playing in that year's Grand Final, he narrowly missed out on a premiership in his debut season as the Bulldogs beat the Dragons by just one point. In 1987 Linnane was suspended for 20 weeks by the NSWRL judiciary for eye gouging Penrith's Greg Alexander
Greg Alexander
Gregory Peter Stephen "Greg" Alexander is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s who has since become a commentator. A goal-kicking half-back, in his career he played for and captained the Penrith Panthers and the Auckland Warriors clubs and also represented his country...
. He stayed with the Dragons until 1990 when he was sacked as a disciplinary action, then moved to the Newcastle Knights
Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Newcastle, New South Wales. They compete in Australasia's premier rugby league competition, the National Rugby League premiership...
for the 1991 season.
Coaching career
Linnane was later player-coach with Kurri Kurri from 1992 to 1996 before retiring as player in 1996. He was assistant coach at the Newcastle Knights to Mal ReillyMal Reilly
Malcolm J. Reilly is an English former rugby league footballer and coach. A Great Britain international representative , Reilly played club football for Castleford Tigers in England and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in Australia...
and Warren Ryan
Warren Ryan
Warren Ryan is former rugby league football coach and player from Sydney, Australia. He is considered as one of the most influential coaches in recent times. Ryan also played 1st Grade Rugby League for the St George Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks....
from 1997 to 1999, and then became head coach at English club Rochdale
Rochdale Hornets
Rochdale Hornets RLFC is an English professional rugby league club from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. They currently play in Championship One...
in December 1999. He quit in June 2000 to join Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
club, Halifax Blue Sox
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
as assistant coach to Gary Mercer
Gary Mercer
Gary Ivan Mercer is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former professional footballer. A New Zealand international representative player, he has spent most of his career in England both playing and coaching.-Playing career:...
. Following Mercer's resignation in 2001 he was in temporary charge but was later appointed head coach of Halifax on a two-year contract. He was sacked in August, 2002, the morning after a 64-0 loss to St. Helens which came after nine losses from ten games which put the club at risk of relegation. Linnane then became the Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
club's first overseas coach. Under him, the club came within eighty minutes of their first grand final
Grand Final
Grand Final is a predominantly Australian sport term used to describe a match that decides a league champion.It originated in Victoria and South Australia and has become specifically significant Australian culture...
appearance in 2002, after a largely successful end to the season. In 2004 he resigned.