Manly great Geoff Toovey has been officially appointed coach of the newly resuscitated Bradford Bulls club.
Toovey, who has been out of rugby league since being dumped as Sea Eagles coach after the 2015 NRL season, will arrive in west Yorkshire to formally take control at the end of next week.
The former NSW and Australia representative was approached by new Bulls owners, Graham Lowe and ex-NZRL chairman Andrew Chalmers, who saved the recently liquidated club in a deal that was ratified by the RFL last week.
Lowe coached Toovey at Manly in the 1990s and said the 47-year-old is the perfect man to lift a team that will start in the second tier of the English game on minus 12 points.
The Bulls have also lost several first-grade players and have yet to put together a final roster for the 2017 season which kicks off in just two weeks’ time.
Despite those hurdles, Lowe said it was easy to sell his vision for the future to Toovey.
“Tooves is a rugby league man first and last,” Lowe said a press conference at the Odsal Stadium on Friday.
“I didn’t paint him pretty pictures on the phone and gave him a little time to think about it. He agreed and that speaks volumes of the man.
“He didn’t take much convincing at all.”
Bradford are one of the great names in English rugby league and were the dominant force in the early-mid 2000s under coach Brian Noble.
It is also the club that produced South Sydney superstar Sam Burgess and Lowe said Toovey is the first step towards a return to the glory days.
“He is a proven, uncompromising coach and the young players will thrive under him,” he said.
“I knew as a young player he had that leadership quality about him
“Everybody will be thrilled with him, not just Bradford Bulls but the game up here. Geoff will add to that.
“Don’t expect any politics, he’s a football man. He’s a players’ coach.
“So pleased we’ve been able to get an agreement with him. He’s also one of the people around the place who is shorter than I am!”
In a brief statement, Toovey said he’s excited about the challenge but under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of him.
“I understand how tough it has been for everyone,” Toovey said
“This is our time now to turn things around.
“I’m well aware of the challenge ahead of us but as coaches and players these are the things that encourage us.”
terrence
Guest
So Dean you spoke to GT in 2001 when he became a director of the NRMA? Long time ago. You must of thought it was going to be the highlight of your life. I've given you tips on how us successful/intelligent people like to be approached in public, you can take my tips on board, if you don't that's fine, just don't complain or keep on making-up fake stories about people when you get brushed. It gives you no credibility.
kk
Roar Pro
After five days I remain stunned at your revelation. Your posts indicate you are a decent honest person without malice or forethought. Your decision to post was courageous. Geoff was lucky that his alleged outbursts were not on video. Hopefully Geoff, being an intelligent man, has learned and corrected what is probably his only character flaw. Not the first man to get it wrong when on the turps. Geoff's career has taken a slide down the greasy pole of life as a Rugby League coach. You say "He is solid when he is sober". I interpret that as a sign of forgive and forget. Toovey has undertaken the hardest challenge in our game, and that's no bull.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
You're a drop kick Terrence. He's the one and only footballer that I have no time for. The last time that I spoke with Geoff was at Narrabeen when he became a director of The NRMA. He knows that I despise him for the way that he's treated good people in the past. He's solid when he's sober, but he's an absolute cnut when he's had a skinfull. He sounds like your type of friend.
terrence
Guest
Seen GT around a lot over the years (especially the last 12 months) at narrabeen woolies,beach pool, body surfing, the steyne, harbord hilton, qantas lounge and he is very laid back and approachable. Being a very smart bloke, he doesn't suffer fools or intoxicated ftarts kindly (none of us do) so that's probably why you were brushed and felt offended, you probably didn't realise that from his body language that he didn't want your negative karma/beer breath/ low IQ in his aura, hence the brushing. I doubt this is the first time this has happened to you. Move on and learn from the experience.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
I have never called a woman an FN Cnut (whether it's in front of a large crowd of people and at the top of my lungs, or not). Sorry to disappoint you.
The spectator
Guest
Mate, we have all haf that one girl friend! ???
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
You're welcome to clarify with any regular of The Sportsmans Bar at The Steyne Hotel in Manly of the way he made a habit of berating and belittling his girlfriend in front of a healthy crowd. He was angry then, and by all appearances still is.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
I met Toovey when he was still playing, and on the beers at a function. Was an amazing bloke. Des Hasler on the other hand, he wasn't too impressed.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Good to see Tooves is getting a gig in the U.K.He is an underestimated coach.Who understands the game, can read the game and has from my view the support of players under him. Would it be rude dare I suggest a Toovism"There's got to be an investigation into this."
The spectator
Guest
Manly got manly to the finals after Des left, the ceo at the time D Perry sunk Manly and Tooves didnt help. Tooves was legend of a player !!!
Jaime O'Donnell
Guest
@ Dean.... Sorry to hear you had a bad experience with Tooves... However, the three occasions I have Interacted with him (twice at Manly functions) I have found him approachable and engaging. Good luck Tooves.... I wish you the best at Bradford. I hope you bring the pride and success back to the town.
Richard Maybury
Guest
Think this is a brilliant pick up for the new Bradford team. Good Luck to them.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Overall, Australia will be 25% less angry with the departure of 'post box red'. I've never liked the bloke, after seeing how he treated people (strangers and those closest to him) first hand whilst on the beers, and multiple accounts of his horrendous attitude from close friends in the Manly area. Hopefully The U.K makes a decent man of him.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Toovey did a good job at Manly with a 58% winning rate. That's better than more than half of the current NRL coaches. As Geoffrey mentioned, he steered the Sea Eagles to the finals every year except for 2015. Fulton, Penn and co. are the ones responsible for sinking the Manly ship.
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Toovey will help them out a lot as will new captain Leon Pryce. A good start to the new era for Bradford.
JOHNY BULLDOG
Roar Rookie
He could hire DYNAMO as his assistant :)
geoffrey evans
Guest
I think you have it wrong there old china , it was the Manly board and Fulton who sank the Sea Eagles not Toovey. Toovey got Manly to the finals every year he was in charge if I remember right and when they hired Barrett the club went down. He cannot sink the Bulls any further as they are at the bottom now. Good on you Tooves all the best for the future.
BigJ
Roar Guru
They must be desperate if they are getting toovey in, he sunk manly now he sink the bulls