Sean Long

{{short description|GB & England international rugby league footballer & coach}}

{{about||Irish footballer|Sean Long (footballer)|the musician|Sean Long (guitarist)}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Sean Long

|fullname = Sean Bernard Long{{Cite web|url=http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/information.pl?cite=GzCnAFucIqIrS%2BEmBKZ3MQ&scan=1|title=Index entry|access-date=17 July 2017|work=FreeBMD|publisher=ONS}}

|image = Sean Long 2007.jpg

|image_size =

|caption =

|position = {{rlp|SH|SO}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|9|24|df=y}}

|birth_place = Wigan, Greater Manchester, England

|height = {{convert|1.75|m|ftin|abbr=on|order=flip}}{{cite web|url=https://leagueunlimited.com/news/preview-1st-ashes-test-australia-v-great-britain/|title=Preview: 1st Ashes Test - Australia v Great Britain|website=leagueunlimited.com|access-date=14 February 2021}}

|weight = {{convert|13|st|5|lb|kg|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url= http://www.hullfc.com/personnel.aspx?pr=210857|title= Hull F.C.|work= web page|publisher= Hull F.C.|access-date= 10 August 2011}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}

|club1 = Wigan Warriors

|year1start = 1994

|year1end = 97

|appearances1 = 12

|tries1 = 2

|goals1 = 2

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 12

|club2 = {{nowrap|Widnes Vikings}}

|year2start = 1997

|year2end =

|appearances2 = 9

|tries2 = 2

|goals2 = 13

|fieldgoals2 = 1

|points2 = 35

|club3 = St Helens

|year3start = 1997

|year3end = 09

|appearances3 = 343

|tries3 = 156

|goals3 = 989

|fieldgoals3 = 23

|points3 = 2625

|club4 = Hull FC

|year4start = 2010

|year4end = 11

|appearances4 = 22

|tries4 = 6

|goals4 = 0

|fieldgoals4 = 0

|points4 = 24

|teamA = Great Britain

|yearAstart = 1997

|yearAend = 06

|appearancesA = 14

|triesA = 4

|goalsA = 14

|fieldgoalsA = 1

|pointsA = 45

|teamB = England

|yearBstart = 2000

|yearBend =

|appearancesB = 5

|triesB = 2

|goalsB = 5

|fieldgoalsB = 0

|pointsB = 18

|ru_club1 = {{nowrap|Preston Grasshoppers}}

|ru_year1start = 2011

|ru_year1end =

|ru_appearances1 =

|ru_tries1 =

|ru_goals1 =

|ru_fieldgoals1 =

|ru_points1 =

| ru_club2 = Orrell R.U.F.C.

| ru_year2start = 2017

| ru_year2end =

| ru_appearances2 = 0

| ru_tries2 = 0

| ru_goals2 = 0

| ru_fieldgoals2 = 0

| ru_points2 = 0

| coachteam1 = {{nowrap|Featherstone Rovers}}

| coachyear1start = 2023

| coachyear1end =

| coachgames1 = 22

| coachwins1 = 19

| coachdraws1 = 0

| coachlosses1 = 3

| coachteam2 = {{nowrap|Oldham}}

| coachyear2start = 2024

| coachyear2end = present

| coachgames2 = 36

| coachwins2 = 30

| coachdraws2 = 2

| coachlosses2 = 4

| retired = no

| source = {{Rugby league records |id=4356 |title=Sean Long |access-date=11 August 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/Sean_Long/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Long&submit=Go&c=England|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082550/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Long&submit=Go&c=England|archive-date=4 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Long&submit=Go&c=GB|title=Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418031920/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Long&submit=Go&c=GB|archive-date=18 April 2018}}

| updated = 19 April 2025

}}

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 Championship. He has played in the 1990s and 2000s.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/jun/01/sean-long-hull-st-helens| work=The Guardian| location=London| title=St Helens' Sean Long agrees deal to join Hull at the end of the season| date=1 June 2009| access-date=23 May 2010}} An England and Great Britain international {{rlp|sh}}, 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, but is best known for his time playing for St Helens 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.{{sfnp|Long|2009|pp=35–36}}

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.{{cite web |title=Long wait is over |url=https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6193032.long-wait-is-over/ |website=The Bolton News |access-date=11 August 2023 |date=20 November 1996}}{{cite news |last1=Richards |first1=Martin |title=Long power |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Long+power!-a061270362 |work=The Mirror |date=28 December 1996 |location=London}} Unhappy with the lack of first team opportunities at Wigan,{{cite web |title='Best Decision I've Ever Made' |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5318727.best-decision-ive-ever-made/ |website=Warrington Guardian |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=27 September 1997}} and with the club becoming frustrated with Long's off-the-field incidents,{{cite book |last1=Phillips |first1=Ewan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i_FGDgAAQBAJ |title=The Wigan Warriors Miscellany |date=2010 |publisher=The History Press |isbn=978-0-7524-5675-1}} he was sold to struggling First Division club Widnes in April 1997 as part of an exchange deal for Lee Hansen.{{cite web |title=Robinson ready for grand sign-off |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2004/oct/08/rugbyleague.wiganwarriors |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=8 October 2004}}

He made his debut for Widnes against Keighley Cougars,{{cite web |title=Depression deepens for Vikings fans |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5322095.vikings-depression-deepens-for-vikings-fans/ |website=Warrington Guardian |access-date=11 August 2023 |date=24 April 1997}} 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.{{cite web |title=Moving On Up |url=https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/news/5321113.moving-on-up/ |website=Warrington Guardian |access-date=11 August 2023 |date=12 June 1997}} He was signed by St Helens in June 1997 for a fee of £80,000.{{cite web |title=Long's appointment will add something special |url=https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/11614606.longs-appointment-will-add-something-special/ |website=St Helens Star |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=20 November 2014}}

==St Helens==

Long made his St Helens debut against Cronulla Sharks in the 1997 World Club Championship.{{cite web |title=Sean Long looking forward to new chapter |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/sean-long-looking-forward-to-new-197422 |website=The Mirror |access-date=11 August 2023 |date=26 January 2010}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.superleague.co.uk/records.php |title=Engage Super League |access-date=2007-06-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070625183910/http://www.superleague.co.uk/records.php |archive-date=25 June 2007}}

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.{{cite news

| last = Gordos

| first = Phil

| title = League poised for breakthrough

| work = BBC Sport

| place =UK

| publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation

| date = 27 April 2003

| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/challenge_cup/2979715.stm

| access-date = 27 December 2009}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/gleeson-and-long-banned-for-betting-scandal-43429.html |title=Gleeson and Long banned for betting scandal |website=The Independent |access-date=7 August 2023 |date=18 June 2004}}

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.{{cite news

|url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wigan/4245808.stm

|title = Newton got off lightly - Anderson

|author = unknown

|publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation

|date = 14 September 2005

|access-date = 26 April 2009}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.leighrl.co.uk/main/match%20reports/270107.php |title=Leigh Centurions Official Website |access-date=2010-11-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315221343/http://www.leighrl.co.uk/main/match%20reports/270107.php |archive-date=15 March 2007}}

file:Sean Long.jpg

File:Sean Long try.jpg

He played in 2008's Super League XIII Grand Final defeat by Leeds.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7642170.stm|title=2008 Grand Final|publisher=BBC|date=4 October 2008|access-date=5 October 2008}}

file:Sean Long.JPG

He played in the 2009 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.{{cite news|last=Fletcher|first=Paul|title=St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/8290503.stm|access-date=22 November 2019|newspaper=BBC Sport|date=10 October 2009}}

==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.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/hull/8077282.stm| work=BBC News| title=Hull FC sign Saints veteran Long| date=1 June 2009| access-date=23 May 2010}} Also in 2009 an Autobiography, Longy: Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal was published.{{cite book

|title= Longy: Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal

|last1= Long

|first1= Sean

|last2= Appleyard

|first2 = Nick

|year= 2009

|publisher= John Blake Publishing

|location= UK

|isbn= 978-1-84454-856-9

|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lkWrPwAACAAJ

|access-date= 19 February 2011}} Long kicked his 1,000th goal for St. Helens on 22 February 2009 in a game against Huddersfield.{{cite news

|url = https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/feb/22/huddersfield-st-helens

|title = Long's 1,000th goal crowns St Helens success

|author = unknown

|publisher = Guardian News and Media Limited

|date = 22 February 2009

|access-date = 26 April 2009

|location=London}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/nov/14/rugbyleague.trinations2006|title=Rugby league: Long's career in doubt after drunken binge|website=TheGuardian.com |date=14 November 2006}}

Long officially retired from international football in April 2007, wishing to concentrate on his club career.{{cite web |title=Long quits the Lions to focus on Saints career |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2007/apr/17/rugbyleague.sport |website=The Guardian |access-date=10 August 2023 |date=17 April 2007}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://pgrfc.co.uk/preston-grasshoppers-announces-arrival-of-league-legend| access-date=1 November 2011| title=Preston Grasshoppers announces arrival of league legend| date=November 2011}}

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.{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12207/7111580/Salford-recruit-Long-to-staff| work=Sky Sports| title=Salford recruit Long to staff}}

=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|date=January 2023}}

=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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/nov/17/sean-long-return-st-helens-assistant-coach|title = Sean Long returns to St Helens as Keiron Cunningham's assistant coach| website=TheGuardian.com |date = 17 November 2014}}

=Harlequin FC (RU)=

He was assistant coach of Harlequin FC after leaving St Helens.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

=Leeds Rhinos=

On 26 October 2020, Long was confirmed as the Assistant Coach at Leeds marking his return to rugby league.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

=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.{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League|date=29 Mar 2021|accessdate=21 Apr 2021|title=Sean Long named France assistant coach|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/sean-long-named-france-assistant-coach/}}

=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.{{cite web|url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/sean-long-featherstone-rovers-sacked-27475115/|title=Sean Long sacked by Featherstone Rovers with head coach replacement confirmed|website=www.examinerlive.co.uk}}

=Oldham RLFC=

On 25 October 2023 he was appointed head coach of Oldham RLFC on a 3-year deal{{cite web|website=Love Rugby League |date=25 October 2023|title=Sean Long appointed Oldham head coach: 'The vision of the club and facilities we've got is something that attracted me'|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/sean-long-appointed-oldham-head-coach}}

Longy won his first league title for Oldham in the 2024 RFL League One Season

Notes

References

{{cite book |last1=Long |first1=Sean |title=Longy |date=2009 |publisher=John Blake |location=London |isbn=978-1-84454-856-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/longy0000long}}

External links

[http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=10&num=15871 Sean Long St Helens Career Page] on the Saints Heritage Society Website''.
[http://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=657 Sean Long Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827123524/http://wigan.rlfans.com/readarticle.php?article_id=657 |date=27 August 2009 }}
(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20100114200814/http://totalrl.com/features/content.php?feat_id=193&featcat_id=32 Long makes début for Saints]
[https://www.ffr13.fr/staff/sean-long/ France profile]

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| list1 = {{St Helens RLFC - 1999 Super League champions}}

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Category:1976 births