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Sean Long
Sean Long
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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.[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, 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.

Key Information

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

Early life

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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

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Domestic

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Early career

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Salford

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

Samoa

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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

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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)

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

Leeds Rhinos

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

France

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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

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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

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On 25 October 2023 he was appointed head coach of Oldham RLFC on a 3-year deal[36] Longy won his first league title for Oldham in the 2024 RFL League One Season

Notes

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Sean Bernard Long (born 24 September 1976) is an English former professional player and coach, widely regarded as one of the sport's premier half-backs of his generation due to his tactical acumen, playmaking ability, and contributions to multiple championship successes. Long began his professional career with hometown club in 1994 before joining St Helens in 1997, where he spent the majority of his playing years primarily from 1997 until 2009, amassing 367 club appearances, 164 tries, 990 goals, and 2,818 points in total. With St Helens, he was instrumental in securing four titles (1999, 2000, 2002, 2006), five s (2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008), and two World Club Challenges (2001, 2007). His individual honors include the Man of Steel award in 2000 and three Lance Todd Trophies (2001, 2004, 2006) as Challenge Cup Man of the Match. Internationally, Long earned 15 caps for and additional appearances for England, totaling 20 Test matches with 6 tries and 63 points, including participation in the . After a brief early loan to Widnes Vikings in 1997 and his final playing spell with Hull FC in 2010–11, Long retired in 2011 before transitioning into coaching, beginning as an assistant at Salford Red Devils and later serving in similar roles at St Helens, the Samoa national team, and even rugby union's Harlequins for 15 months. He advanced to head coach positions, including at Oldham Roughyeds from 2023, where he led the team to the League One title in 2024 and a top-four finish in the in 2025 before stepping down by mutual consent on 11 November 2025. Long's off-field life has been documented in his 2009 Longy: Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal, which chronicles his playing career alongside personal challenges and controversies.

Early life and background

Childhood

Sean Long was born on 24 September 1976 in , , . He grew up in a working-class English deeply embedded in the local culture, with his father being a devoted fanatic who influenced his early interests. , a historic stronghold of known for its passionate community and tradition of producing top players, provided a formative environment for Long's upbringing. However, his childhood was marked by significant hardship, including in the late and early , which he later described as being "dragged up" in challenging circumstances with limited financial resources. At the age of six, he was shot while walking home from in a dangerous environment involving street fights, knives, and guns, an incident he initially hid from his mother. Long's early exposure to rugby came through family encouragement and the tight-knit local community, where he initially tried football but soon gravitated toward due to his father's passion and the influence of friends. He followed his mates to join Wigan St Jude's, a prominent junior club, marking the start of his involvement in organized rugby. During this youth period, he acquired the nickname "Longy," a moniker that stuck with him throughout his career. This community-driven immersion in laid the groundwork for his eventual transition to professional play with the .

Education

Long attended St Joseph's Catholic Comprehensive School in during his early secondary years, where sports activities were limited to football. Recognizing his growing interest in rugby, he transferred to Deanery High School in , which offered a robust program that aligned better with his athletic preferences over football. At Deanery High School, Long joined the school's rugby league teams, participating actively in matches that honed his skills as a young player. His performances there led to initial talent identification, marking him as a promising prospect in the sport. This school-level involvement solidified his commitment to , prompting him to prioritize it over other activities throughout his teenage years. These formative educational experiences directly contributed to his entry into professional rugby with the in 1994.

Rugby league playing career

Early club career

Sean Long made his professional rugby league debut with the in the 1994–95 season at the age of 17, having progressed from the local amateur club Wigan St Judes. He also featured in the 1995 Final victory over . Playing primarily as a scrum-half, he featured in 12 first-team games for Wigan across the up to 1997, scoring 12 points through two tries and two goals. His early appearances showcased emerging playmaking abilities, including quick distribution and tactical awareness, though limited opportunities highlighted the challenges of breaking into a dominant Wigan side during the transition from the old structure to the inaugural [Super League](/page/Super League) in 1996. Long's development at was hampered by a serious sustained early in his career, which raised concerns about his long-term durability and contributed to his departure from the club. In 1997, he was transferred to the in an exchange deal involving forward Lee Hansen moving the other way, providing Long with increased playing time in the second division. At , he appeared in 9 games that year, scoring 35 points (two tries, 13 goals, and one field goal), further honing his skills as a creative half-back amid the competitive pressures of the evolving professional era. This period of transition from youth to senior rugby in the mid-1990s tested Long's resilience, as he navigated injuries and squad competition while adapting to the faster, more structured format that emphasized skill and strategy over physical dominance. His promising talent ultimately led to a transfer to St Helens later in 1997, marking a significant step forward in his career.

St Helens

Sean Long joined St Helens in 1997 from , embarking on a 12-year tenure that became the cornerstone of his professional career. Over this period, he made 324 appearances for the club, scoring 154 tries, 975 goals for a total of 2,747 points. As the primary scrum-half, Long was instrumental in orchestrating St Helens' attacking play, renowned for his vision, quick passing, and ability to create scoring opportunities, often assisting tries through precise distribution and support play. His goal-kicking accuracy further amplified the team's offensive output, converting a significant portion of their tries and penalties. Under Long's influence at halfback, St Helens achieved remarkable success, securing four Super League titles in 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2006, along with five victories in 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008. The club also claimed two World Club Challenges in 2001 and 2007, and multiple League Leaders' Shields, establishing a dominant era in British . Long's contributions were pivotal in these triumphs, including his standout performance in the 2006 , where St Helens defeated 26–4; he scored a try and provided key assists to secure the victory. His individual excellence was recognized with the Man of Steel award in 2000 and three Lance Todd Trophies as man of the match in the finals of 2001, 2004, and 2006.

Hull FC

Long signed a two-year contract with in June 2009, joining the club ahead of the 2010 season after spending 13 years at St Helens. He was appointed club captain for 2010, bringing his experience as a former international to the squad under coach Richard Agar. Over his two seasons at , Long featured in 22 appearances, scoring six tries for a total of 24 points. However, his time at the club was marred by persistent injuries, including a broken thumb and sustained in a single match, which restricted him to just 21 competitive outings and created a "stop-start" pattern to his involvement. Adapting to the new team environment after his dominant spell at St Helens proved challenging, with Long later reflecting that the squad underachieved despite its talent and failing to fulfill its potential. On 10 August 2011, at the age of 34, Long announced his retirement from , citing the cumulative impact of injuries as the primary reason for the "agonising" decision. In reflecting on the end of his playing career, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities at Hull while indicating a growing interest in transitioning to , crediting Agar's for preparing him for that path. Following his retirement, Long briefly switched to with Preston Grasshoppers.

International career

Sean Long made his international debut for in 1997, marking the start of a representative career that spanned both the and teams. He accumulated 15 caps for between 1997 and 2006, scoring 45 points through four tries, 14 goals, and one . His selections were bolstered by strong performances at club level with St Helens, where his playmaking and kicking prowess earned him consistent national call-ups. Long transitioned to representing in 2000, earning five caps exclusively during the Rugby League World Cup that year, where he contributed 18 points via two tries and five goals. Across his international tenure, he participated in major tournaments, including series with two appearances and the 2006 Tri-Nations, in which he featured in three matches for , adding 11 points through five goals and one . These competitions highlighted his role as a key scrum-half in high-stakes . In total, Long amassed 20 test caps, scoring 63 points from six tries, 19 goals, and one . He officially retired from in April 2007, at age 30, to focus on his club commitments.

Rugby union playing career

Preston Grasshoppers

Shortly after retiring from professional with Hull FC in August 2011, Sean Long signed a playing contract with club Preston Grasshoppers on 1 November 2011. The team competed in , the fifth tier of English at the time. Long transitioned to the scrum-half position, adapting from his rugby league half-back role to the distinct rules of union, including elements like lineouts and rucks that differ significantly from league's structure. This code switch presented challenges in adjusting to the slower pace and additional tactical complexities of union gameplay. During the 2011-2012 season, Long made limited appearances for Preston Grasshoppers, including a scoring debut in an away victory against RUFC in 2011. His contributions were modest but notable given his age of 35 and concurrent coaching commitments at City Reds. This brief foray into rugby union served as a practical bridge between the two codes, providing Long with firsthand experience in union tactics and player management that later enhanced his versatility in coaching across both sports.

Orrell R.U.F.C.

In 2017, Sean Long signed with Orrell R.U.F.C., returning briefly to rugby union playing after his earlier stint at Preston Grasshoppers. This move came amid his growing involvement in coaching, including his role as assistant coach for Samoa at the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. Long represented Orrell in the 2017-18 season within the South Lancashire/Cheshire League Two, the eighth tier of English , alongside former St Helens and teammate Martin Gleeson. His involvement was short-lived and non-professional, as he paid match fees to participate; records indicate limited appearances, with no competitive league games documented, though he featured in the Plate. The stint served primarily as an educational experience to deepen his understanding of tactics and structures, aiding his transition toward full-time coaching. Following this brief playing return, Long opted to concentrate exclusively on his coaching career, forgoing further on-field involvement in either code.

Coaching career

Assistant roles in rugby league

Following his retirement from playing in 2011, Sean Long began his coaching career as an assistant coach at , where he focused on player development and tactical strategy during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. His tenure lasted approximately 18 months, ending with the appointment of Brian Noble as in early 2013. Long briefly returned to in March 2014 in a consultancy role to support the team's attacking play and overall preparation. In November 2014, Long rejoined his former club St Helens as assistant coach under head coach , taking primary responsibility for the team's attack coaching and contributing to player mentoring. Over the next four and a half years, he played a key role in shaping the Saints' offensive strategies, helping the team secure a League Leaders' Shield in 2015 and reach the that year, while consistently challenging for top honors in subsequent campaigns through innovative set plays and half-back development. Long departed St Helens in June 2019 to pursue opportunities outside . Long returned to rugby league coaching in October 2020 when he was appointed assistant coach at , again specializing in attack coaching, game planning, and young player progression under head coach Richard Agar. During his two-year stint through the end of 2022, he was instrumental in revitalizing the Rhinos' attacking output, which propelled the team to a third-place finish in the and a runner-up position in the 2022 after a strong playoff run. His emphasis on structured phases and creative ball-handling enhanced the squad's competitiveness in high-stakes matches.

Head coaching roles in rugby league

Sean Long was appointed head coach of Featherstone Rovers on 5 October 2022, having previously served as an assistant coach at . In his role, Long aimed to guide the club toward promotion to the , building on their recent near-misses in the Betfred Championship. During his tenure at , which lasted until 7 August 2023, Long led the team in 22 games, achieving 19 victories for an 86% win rate. The side positioned themselves as strong contenders for promotion, holding an eight-point lead at the top of the table early in the 2023 season. However, following a narrow defeat to , the club unexpectedly dismissed Long, with assistant James Ford taking over to continue the promotion push. On 25 October 2023, Long was named head coach of on a three-year contract, tasked with revitalizing the ambitious League One outfit. Under his leadership, Oldham dominated the 2024 RFL League One season, securing the title with a remarkable record that included just one league defeat across the campaign. In the following year, the team earned promotion to the and finished fourth in the table, though they exited in the playoffs. Over 56 games at through to his departure, Long recorded 41 wins for a 73% win rate, marking his first coaching title and highlighting his impact on the club's ascent. His philosophy centered on aggressive defense to stifle opponents while encouraging an expressive, ball-playing attack that allowed players freedom within a structured framework, alongside a strong emphasis on individual development to build squad depth. Long left by mutual consent on 11 November 2025, following a review of the season's performance after their playoff shortcomings.

International coaching roles

Long began his international coaching career as an assistant coach for the during the , where he supported head coach Matt Parish in guiding a squad featuring several NRL-based players of Samoan heritage. He continued in this role for the 2014 Toa Samoa international series against , , and , helping the team qualify and compete against top-tier nations despite their multicultural composition drawn largely from Australian and New Zealand leagues. Long reprised his assistant position for the 2017 , contributing to Samoa's development as an emerging force through focused training on player integration and tactical discipline. Under Long's involvement, Samoa achieved significant upsets, most notably a 7-4 semi-final over host , propelled by a gritty defensive structure and opportunistic attacks that showcased the squad's diverse talents. His strategies emphasized straightforward, high-intensity play over complex innovations, aiming for consistent 80-minute efforts to unify multicultural players from varied professional environments into a cohesive unit capable of challenging established powers. These approaches not only enhanced team performances in pool stages and knockouts but also fostered long-term development, elevating 's global standing from underdogs to semi-finalists. In 2021, Long transitioned to , joining the national team as assistant coach and attack specialist on 29 March, working under head coach Laurent Frayssinous to prepare for international tests and the upcoming . His role involved refining attacking patterns for a squad blending local French talent with expatriates from clubs like , addressing the challenges of multicultural dynamics through structured drills and individual skill enhancement. Long's contributions supported 's qualification efforts and 2022 World Cup campaign in Group A, where they secured a win over (34–12) but lost to (18–42) and (4–62), finishing with one win and failing to advance from the group stage. This period marked a revival for French , with Long's expertise aiding their competitive edge in tests and tournaments.

Rugby union coaching

In July 2019, Sean Long joined as an assistant coach, taking on a role focused on developing the team's attack and skills within after departing from a similar position at St Helens. Long's tenure, lasting approximately 15 months until October 2020, involved leading the attack under head coach Paul Gustard and contributing to strategic enhancements, such as integrating his expertise to refine offensive patterns and support player transitions across codes. He worked closely with emerging talents like fly-half Marcus Smith, emphasizing skill development and tactical adaptability in union's distinct environment. His time at provided key insights into rugby union's emphasis on player-led units and buy-in, which Long later described as eye-opening and influential in broadening his overall coaching philosophy upon returning to . In October 2020, Long departed to rejoin as an assistant coach at for the .

References

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