Sean Long

For Irish footballer, see Sean Long (footballer).

Sean Long

Personal information
Full name	Sean Bernard Long [1]
Born	(1976-09-24) 24 September 1976 (age 47) Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) [2]
Weight	13 st 5 lb (85 kg) [3]
Playing information
Rugby league
Position	Scrum-half, Stand-off
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1994–97 Wigan Warriors 12 2 2 0 12 1997 Widnes Vikings 9 2 13 1 35 1997–09 St Helens 343 156 989 23 2625 2010–11 Hull FC 22 6 0 0 24 Total 386 166 1004 24 2696 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1997–06 Great Britain 14 4 14 1 45 2000 England 5 2 5 0 18
Rugby union
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2011 Preston Grasshoppers 2017 Orrell R.U.F.C. 0 0 0 0 0 Total 0 0 0 0 0
Coaching information
Club Years Team Gms W D L W% 2023 Featherstone Rovers 22 19 0 3 86 2024– Oldham 17 15 0 2 88 Total 39 34 0 5 87
Source: [4] [5] [6] [7] As of 14 Jul 2024

Sean Bernard Long (born 24 September 1976), also known by the nickname of "Longy", is an English former professional rugby league footballer, who is the current head coach of Oldham RLFC in the RFL League 1. He has played in the 1990s and 2000s. ^[8] An England ^[6] and Great Britain ^[7] international scrum-half, Long is regarded by many as one of the finest British players of his generation. He began his career with the Wigan Warriors, and also played for the Widnes Vikings and Hull FC (Heritage № 1064), but is best known for his time playing for St Helens (Heritage № 1078) in the Super League with whom he won a total of four Super League championships and five Challenge Cups, as well as numerous individual accolades including the Man of Steel award, and three Lance Todd Trophies.

He has also been the head-coach of Featherstone Rovers and latterly Oldham RLFC.

Early life

Between the ages of eleven and thirteen Long attended St Joseph's Catholic Comprehensive School in Horwich but moved to the Deanery High School on Frog Lane in Wigan because the former only played football, not rugby. ^[9]

Playing career - rugby league

Domestic

Early career

After signing from local amateur side, Wigan St Judes, Long started his career at Wigan, making his senior debut in 1994, but a serious knee injury kept him out of action for 18 months. ^{[10] [11]} Unhappy with the lack of first team opportunities at Wigan, ^[12] and with the club becoming frustrated with Long's off-the-field incidents, ^[13] he was sold to struggling First Division club Widnes in April 1997 as part of an exchange deal for Lee Hansen. ^[14]

He made his debut for Widnes against Keighley Cougars, ^[15] and went on to make nine appearances during his two month spell at the club. Although Widnes continued to struggle during his time at the club, Long's individual performances attracted the attention of several Super League clubs. ^[16] He was signed by St Helens in June 1997 for a fee of £80,000. ^[17]

St Helens

Long made his St Helens debut against Cronulla Sharks in the 1997 World Club Championship. ^[18] At the end of the season, he played in for Saints in the 1997 Premiership final, but lost to former club, Wigan.

Long played for St Helens from the interchange bench, kicking two goals in their 1999 Super League Grand Final victory over Bradford Bulls.

Long twice set the St Helens record for the number of points scored in a Super League season, gaining 284 points in 1999 and 352 points in 2000. ^[19]

Having won the 1999 Championship, St Helens contested in the 2000 World Club Challenge against National Rugby League Premiers the Melbourne Storm, with Long playing at scrum half back and kicking a goal in the loss. Long played for St Helens at scrum half and kicked four goals in their 2000 Super League Grand Final victory over Wigan Warriors and was named as Man of Steel in 2000.

As Super League V champions, St Helens played against 2000 NRL Premiers Brisbane Broncos in the 2001 World Club Challenge. Long played at scrum half, scoring a try, three goals and a field goal in Saints' victory.

Long played for St Helens at scrum half, scoring a try, a goal and the match-winning drop goal in their 2002 Super League Grand Final victory against the Bradford Bulls. ^[20]

Having won Super League VI, St Helens contested the 2003 World Club Challenge against 2002 NRL Premiers Sydney Roosters. Long played at stand-off in Saints' 38–0 loss.

In 2004, Long was involved in a betting scandal which resulted in him being suspended for three months. ^[21]

By 2005, Long had scored 2,000 points for St Helens. During the 2005's Super League X, he sustained a broken cheek bone in a challenge by Wigan Warrior' Terry Newton in an incident that saw Newton receive a 12-match ban, the heaviest for an on-field action in Super League history at the time. ^[22]

Long played for St Helens at scrum half and scored a try in their 2006 Challenge Cup Final victory over Huddersfield Giants and won the Lance Todd Trophy as man-of-the-match in a Challenge Cup final for a record third time. St Helens reached the 2006 Super League Grand final to be contested against Hull FC and Long played at scrum half in Saints' 26–4 victory.

As 2006 Super League champions, St Helens faced 2006 NRL Premiers Brisbane Broncos in the 2007 World Club Challenge. Long captained Saints from scrum half in their 18–14 victory. St Helens in 2007 took all honours apart from the Super League title when they were beaten by Leeds at Old Trafford in the Grand Final. In 2007 Long received a testimonial match for St Helens against Leigh. Former St Helens players returned for the game, including Chris Joynt, Tommy Martyn and Paul Newlove. St Helens won the game 40–10. ^[23]

Long playing for Saints in 2007

Long scoring a try against Wigan in 2008

He played in 2008's Super League XIII Grand Final defeat by Leeds. ^[24]

Long playing for Hull F.C. in 2010

He played in the 2009 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford. ^[25]

Hull FC

On 1 June 2009 it was announced that Sean had signed a two-year contract with Hull F.C. for the 2010 and 2011 seasons, leaving St Helens after 12 seasons. ^[26] Also in 2009 an Autobiography, Longy: Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal was published. ^[27] Long kicked his 1,000th goal for St. Helens on 22 February 2009 in a game against Huddersfield. ^[28]

Long announced his retirement from playing rugby league on the morning of 10 August 2011.

International

In the 1997 post season, Long was selected to play for Great Britain from the interchange bench in two matches of the Super League Test series against Australia.

In 2004, Long served a three-month ban for his part in the 2004 rugby league betting scandal. Despite this, Long was selected in the Great Britain team to compete in the end of season 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against Australia he played at scrum half in the Lions' 44–4 loss.

Following the 2006 season, Long was selected for Great Britain in the Tri nations. Long played in the first game between Great Britain and Australia, which resulted in Great Britain's first victory in Sydney in 18 years, with a score of 23–12. However, on 13 November 2006, Long returned home from the Tri-Nations tour, with 'personal reasons' cited as the reason by Great Britain coach Brian Noble. ^[29]

Long officially retired from international football in April 2007, wishing to concentrate on his club career. ^[30]

Playing career - rugby union

On 1 November 2011 it was announced he had signed a playing contract with Rugby Union side Preston Grasshoppers in SSE National League 2 North. ^[31]

In 2017, he joined rugby union side Orrell RUFC.

Coaching career

Salford

Following his retirement as a player, Long began a coaching career, and began an assistant coaching job with Salford. ^[32]

Samoa

In 2013, Sean Long was appointed assistant coach of Samoa's 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign. In 2014 Long reprised his role as Samoa played in the Four Nations. Sean Long was appointed assistant coach for Samoa for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.^{[ citation needed ]}

St Helens

In November 2014, Long left Salford and took up the assistant coach role at St. Helens following former teammate Keiron Cunningham's appointment as head coach from 2015 onwards. ^[33]

Harlequin FC (RU)

He was assistant coach of Harlequin FC after leaving St Helens.^{[ citation needed ]}

Leeds Rhinos

On 26 October 2020, Long was confirmed as the Assistant Coach at Leeds marking his return to rugby league.^{[ citation needed ]}

France

On 29 March 2021, Long was named as assistant coach for France as they prepare for the forthcoming 2021 Rugby League World Cup, alongside his responsibilities at Leeds Rhinos. ^[34]

Featherstone Rovers

On 5 October 2022, Long was appointed as the new head coach of RFL Championship side Featherstone. On 7 August 2023, Long was terminated by Featherstone as head coach. The club were sitting eight points clear at the top of the table when the decision was made. ^[35]

Oldham RLFC

On 25 October 2023 he was appointed head coach of Oldham RLFC on a 3-year deal ^[36]

Notes

1. "Index entry". FreeBMD. ONS. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
2. "Preview: 1st Ashes Test - Australia v Great Britain". leagueunlimited.com. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
3. "Hull F.C." web page. Hull F.C. Retrieved 10 August 2011.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
4. "Player Summary: Sean Long". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
5. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
6. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
7. "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
8. "St Helens' Sean Long agrees deal to join Hull at the end of the season". The Guardian. London. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
9. Long (2009), pp. 35–36.
10. "Long wait is over". The Bolton News. 20 November 1996. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
11. Richards, Martin (28 December 1996). "Long power". The Mirror. London.
12. "'Best Decision I've Ever Made'". Warrington Guardian. 27 September 1997. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
13. Phillips, Ewan (2010). The Wigan Warriors Miscellany. The History Press. ISBN   978-0-7524-5675-1.
14. "Robinson ready for grand sign-off". The Guardian. 8 October 2004. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
15. "Depression deepens for Vikings fans". Warrington Guardian. 24 April 1997. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
16. "Moving On Up". Warrington Guardian. 12 June 1997. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
17. "Long's appointment will add something special". St Helens Star. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
18. "Sean Long looking forward to new chapter". The Mirror. 26 January 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2023.
19. "Engage Super League". Archived from the original on 25 June 2007. Retrieved 25 June 2007.
20. Gordos, Phil (27 April 2003). "League poised for breakthrough". BBC Sport. UK: British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 27 December 2009.
21. "Gleeson and Long banned for betting scandal". The Independent. 18 June 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
22. unknown (14 September 2005). "Newton got off lightly - Anderson". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
23. "Leigh Centurions Official Website". Archived from the original on 15 March 2007. Retrieved 1 November 2010.
24. "2008 Grand Final". BBC. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2008.
25. Fletcher, Paul (10 October 2009). "St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
26. "Hull FC sign Saints veteran Long". BBC News. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
27. Long, Sean; Appleyard, Nick (2009). Longy: Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal. UK: John Blake Publishing. ISBN   978-1-84454-856-9 . Retrieved 19 February 2011.
28. unknown (22 February 2009). "Long's 1,000th goal crowns St Helens success". London: Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 26 April 2009.
29. "Rugby league: Long's career in doubt after drunken binge". TheGuardian.com . 14 November 2006.
30. "Long quits the Lions to focus on Saints career". The Guardian. 17 April 2007. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
31. "Preston Grasshoppers announces arrival of league legend". November 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
32. "Salford recruit Long to staff". Sky Sports.
33. "Sean Long returns to St Helens as Keiron Cunningham's assistant coach". TheGuardian.com . 17 November 2014.
34. "Sean Long named France assistant coach". Love Rugby League. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
35. "Sean Long sacked by Featherstone Rovers with head coach replacement confirmed". www.examinerlive.co.uk.
36. "Sean Long appointed Oldham head coach: 'The vision of the club and facilities we've got is something that attracted me'". Love Rugby League. 25 October 2023.

References

• Long, Sean (2009). Longy. London: John Blake. ISBN   978-1-84454-856-9.

External links

• Sean Long St Helens Career Page on the Saints Heritage Society Website.
• Sean Long Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com Archived 27 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
• (archived by web.archive.org) Long makes début for Saints
• France profile