Craig Lingard


Craig Lingard is an English rugby league coach who is the head coach of the Batley Bulldogs in the Betfred Championship, and a former player.
He previously played for Batley Bulldogs in the Championship. Lingard has been head coach of the Bramley Buffaloes. He was assistant coach to John Kear at the Batley Bulldogs before taking on the top job at the Keighley Cougars in Betfred League 1.

Background

Lingard was born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

Lingard played as an amateur with Sharlston Rovers before turning professional. His professional playing career was at Batley Bulldogs, where he played from 1998 to 2008. Playing at, Lingard scored 142 tries and is Batley's all-time leading try scorer. In a tribute to this record the club named one of the terraces at the Fox's Biscuits Stadium, the Craig Lingard Terrace.

Coaching career

After retiring from playing, Lingard joined the Bulldog's coaching team and also worked as part of the Bradford Bulls coaching staff before being appointed head coach of National Conference League team, Bramley Buffaloes, in 2012. After just one season at Bramley, Lingard left and rejoined Batley as assistant head coach to John Kear.
Lingard continued in his Batley role until the end of the 2016 season when he was appointed head coach at Keighley Cougars on a two year contract. Lingard's contract was extended for a third year but in May 2019 he was sacked by Keighley.

Outside rugby league

Lingard's involvement with rugby league has always been part-time and away from the game he was previously a prison officer. While head coach at Bramley, Lingard was a competitor on British gameshow Countdown.