- Brian Noble (rugby league)
Infobox rugby league biography
playername = Brian Noble
fullname = Brian Noble
nickname = Nobby
caption =
country =
position = Coach
currentclub = leagueicon|Wigan|size=16Wigan Warriors
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1961|2|14
placeofbirth =Bradford
countryofbirth =England
height =
weight =
club1 = leagueicon|Bradford|size=16Bradford Northern
year1start = 1978
year1end = 1984
appearances1 =
tries1 =
goals1 =
fieldgoals1 =
points1 =
club2 = leagueicon|Cronulla|size=16Cronulla Sharks
year2start = 1985
year2end =
appearances2 =
tries2 =
goals2 =
fieldgoals2 =
points2 =
club3 = leagueicon|Bradford|size=16Bradford Northern
year3start = 1986
year3end = 1995
appearances3 =
tries3 =
goals3 =
fieldgoals3 =
points3 =
club4 = leagueicon|Wakefield|size=16 Wakefield
year4start = 1995
year4end = 1996
appearances4 =
tries4 =
goals4 =
fieldgoals4 =
points4 =
coachteam1 = leagueicon|Bradford|size=16 Bradford 77 (80.52)
coachyear1start = 2001
coachyear1end = 06
coachgames1 =
coachwin%1 =
coachpremierships1 =
coachteam2 = leagueicon|Wigan|size=16 Wigan
coachyear2start = 2006
coachyear2end =
coachgames2 =
coachwin%2 =
coachpremierships2 =
coachteamA = Flagicon|Great Britain Great Britain13(38.46)
coachyearAstart = 2004
coachyearAend = 06
coachgamesA =
coachwin%A =
coachpremiershipsA =
updated =
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new = yesBrian Noble, known as 'Nobby', is a former
rugby league player who is currently the head coach of theWigan Warriors - whom he joined from Bradford - and is the former coach of the Great Britain National Rugby League team. He was also the captain of the 1984 Great Britain touring team to Australia.Brian Noble's early rugby league career was as a member of the Police Boys' Clubs before he signed for Bradford Northern (now Bradford Bulls). His debut came in the 1978-1979 season and was the beginning of almost 15 years and over 400 games with the club, concluding in the centenary season of 1995-96 following a spell at Wakefield Trinity.
Brian combined his professional career with his job as a policeman, and captained Great Britain on the Lions' tour of Australasia in 1984. He played in all seven tests on the tour, including the test in Papua New Guinea.
A Bradford stalwart as a player, coaching always seemed to be the natural progression for Brian Noble. After 16 years of serving in the backroom staff at the club following his retirement, he finally got his big shot when appointed as Bradford head coach in 2001. After initial confusion regarding chairman Chris Caisley's appointment - the tabloids reported that the new coach was Radio 4 comedian
Ross Noble ! - Brian was a hugely popular choice to succeed departing coach Matthew Elliot.Whilst head coach of
Bradford Bulls , 'Nobby' guided the Bulls to two Minor Premiership titles, victory in three Grand Finals in 2001 , 2003 and 2005, the Challenge Cup in 2003 and to three World Club Championships in 2002, 2004 and 2006.He was appointed head coach of Great Britain in 2004.
In July 2002, Brian Noble received an honorary doctorate from the
University of Bradford for his achievements as a rugby league player both at national level, with Bradford Northern and in recognition of his contributions to the Bradford Bulls as first team coach.On 20th April 2006 Brian took up the position of Head Coach at
Wigan Warriors ; nine days after the sacking ofIan Millward . Brian took over at the club during a relegation battle which at one point looked as though Wigan would lose, however he has been credited for keeping the Warriors in the Super League following a number of impressive performances.On the 17th January 2007 it was announced that his contract as head coach of the British National team would not be renewed.
External links
* [http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/pr/pressreleases/2002/honorary-july2002.htm July 2002 Bradford University press release]
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