Brian Noble

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Brian Noble
Image:Briannoble.PNG
Personal information
Full name Brian Noble
Date of birth 14 February 1961
Place of birth Bradford, England
Nickname Nobby
Club information
Current club Wigan Warriors
Position Head Coach
Professional clubs
1978-1995
1995-1996
Bradford
Wakefield
National team
1908-2006 1382
Managed clubs
2001-06
2006-
2004-06
Bradford
Wigan
Great Britain

Brian Noble, known as 'Nobby', is a former rugby league player who is currently the head coach of the Wigan Warriors - whom he joined from Bradford - and is the former coach of the Great Britain National Rugby League team.

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 of Ian 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.

[edit] Sources

Preceded by
Ian Millward
Coach
Wigan Warriors

2006-?
Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Matthew Elliott
Coach
Bradford Bulls

2001-2006
Succeeded by
Steve McNamara
Preceded by
David Waite
Coach
Great Britain

2004-06
Succeeded by
Tony Smith
Wigan Warriors Rugby League Football Club
Wigan Warriors
History | Records | Stadium | Players | Honours
Seasons
2006 | 2007
Stadiums
Folly Field (1872-1877) | Prescott Street (1877-1901) | Springfield Park (1901-1902) |
Central Park (1902-1999) | JJB Stadium (1999-)
Captains
Andrew Farrell (1998-2005) | Sean O'Loughlin (2006-)
Coaches
Stuart Raper (2001-2003 | Mike Gregory (2003-2005) | Denis Betts (2004-2005) |
Ian Millward (2005-2006) | Brian Noble (2006-)


Super League (Europe)

Bradford Bulls | Catalans Dragons | Harlequins Rugby League | Huddersfield Giants
Hull FC | Hull Kingston Rovers | Leeds Rhinos | Salford City Reds
St Helens RFC | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | Warrington Wolves | Wigan Warriors


Rugby league in Britain and Ireland

Competitions
Super League | National League | Challenge Cup | North West Counties | Pennine League
National League Cup | National Conference League | Rugby League Conference | Scotland Rugby League | Midlands Merit League

National teams
Great Britain | England | Ireland | Scotland | Wales

Federations
RFL | BARLA | Rugby League Ireland | Wales Rugby League

Former competitions
Championship | Premiership | Lancs/Yorks Cups | Lancs/Yorks League
Regal Trophy | Charity Shield | BBC2 Floodlit Trophy