Matt Calland


Matt Calland is an English former rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s and 2000s, and coached in the 2000s and 2010s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for the Rochdale Hornets, Featherstone Rovers, the Bradford Bulls, Hull F.C. and the Huddersfield Giants, as a or, and coached at club level for Halifax.

Background

Matt Calland was born in Widnes, Lancashire, England.

Playing career

International honours

Matt Calland won a cap for England while at the Bradford Bulls in 1996 against France.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Calland played right-, i.e. number 3, in the Bradford Bulls' 32-40 defeat by St. Helens in the 1996 Challenge Cup Final during Super League I at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 26 April 1996. and was an interchange/substitute in the Bradford Bulls' 22-32 defeat by St. Helens in the 1997 Challenge Cup Final during Super League II at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 3 May 1997.

County Cup Final appearances

Calland played in Rochdale Hornets 14-24 defeat by St. Helens in the 1991 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1991–92 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Sunday 20 October 1991.

Coaching career

Calland was named the assistant coach at Halifax in June 2006. Martin Hall moved upstairs in October to take up the post of director of football. He was then named the new head coach of Halifax. On 26 September 2010 against all odds he masterminded a 23 -22 comeback against red-hot favourites Featherstone Rovers. They came back from 22 – 4 to win in extra time thanks to a Ben Black drop goal. It was the first trophy Halifax had won in 23 years.