Gary Hetherington

Gary Hetherington
Personal information
Full nameGary Hetherington
Born1954 (age 69–70)
Castleford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Playing information
PositionHooker, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1973–74 Wakefield Trinity 5 0 4 0 8
1974–78 York
1978–81 Leeds 10 1 1 0 5
1980–81 → Hunslet RLFC (loan) 4 1 0 1 4
1981–83 Huddersfield 50 6 6 1 31
1983–84 Kent Invicta 18 1 0 0 4
1984–88 Sheffield Eagles 65 2 0 1 9
Total 152 11 11 3 61
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1986–93 Sheffield Eagles 136 55 3 78 40
1993–96 Sheffield Eagles
Total 136 55 3 78 40
Source: [1][2]
As of 9 December 2023

Gary Hetherington (born 1954) is an English professional rugby league executive and former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He is the chief executive officer of the Leeds Rhinos in the Super League.[3]

As a player, Hetherington played as a hooker or second-row forward for Wakefield Trinity, York, Leeds, Hunslet (loan), Kent Invicta and Huddersfield. He finished his playing career at Sheffield Eagles, a club which he founded in 1984.

After several years in roles as coach and general manager, he sold his shares at Sheffield Eagles in 1996 to become chief executive at Leeds Rhinos.

Playing career

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Hetherington made his début for Wakefield Trinity in January 1973. In 1978, he joined Leeds from York.[4] In September 1981, he was signed by Huddersfield for a fee of around £5,000.[5] He left the club in February 1983 after paying Huddersfield £1,000 to be released from his own contract.[6]

Coaching and administrative career

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During his playing days, Hetherington played a key role in setting up the first rugby league players' trade union.[7]

After being turned down for a coaching role at York, Hetherington became interested in forming his own rugby league club,[8] and founded Sheffield Eagles in 1984.

After retiring as a player, Hetherington remained with Sheffield Eagles as coach. He stepped down as coach in April 1993,[9] but took charge again eight months later.[10]

He joined Leeds in 1996,[11] and rebranded the club in 1997, adding the Rhinos nickname.[3] In his time at Leeds, the club has won eight Super League Grand Finals, three Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges.[citation needed]

In 1997, he and Paul Caddick bought Leeds Rhinos rugby league team, and they co-founded Leeds Rugby Limited.[citation needed]

He was President of the Rugby Football League in 2004.[3] His wife Kath was President of the Rugby Football League in 1995.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ RLP
  2. ^ RLP coaching
  3. ^ a b c d "Gary Hetherington". Leeds Rhinos. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  4. ^ "1978-1979". Leeds Rhinos. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Fartown's new set of front-row forwards". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 7 September 1981. p. 16 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "He's bought his own transfer!". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 18 February 1983. p. 17 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Board of directors". Leeds Tykes. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Gary Hetherington still going strong after 25 years with Leeds RL". Yorkshire Post. 29 October 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Rugby League: Hetherington steps sideways". The Independent. 21 April 1993. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Rugby League: Gardner takes leave of Sheffield". The Independent. 8 December 1993. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Leeds' new owners want Yorkshire to stay". The Independent. 30 October 1996. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
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