BRIAN NOBLE (RUGBY LEAGUE)

'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.
Brian's brother Jack Noble is the managing director of the UK arm of Fujitsu Services and also sits on the Board for Zensar Technologies.
In September 2007 Noble was named has coach of the Team of the century.

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Brian has made many appearances on Sky Sports' coverage of Super League with Eddie Hemmings and Mike Stephenson, better known as Stevo!

Sources

★ July 2002 Bradford University press release