Rochdale Hornets appoint Gary Thornton as head coach for 2023

Rochdale Hornets has announced that Gary Thornton has been appointed as head coach of the club for the 2023 season.

Thornton, who joined Hornets as assistant coach back in December, has been in interim charge of the club since the departure of Matt Calland in the first week of August.

The former Batley Bulldogs and York City Knights coach has now been offered the role on a permanent basis – following some impressive performances.

The most recent of these came on Sunday, when Rochdale beat fierce rivals Oldham 38-24 to progress to the 2022 League 1 Elimination Semi Final.

In Thornton’s time at the club, his side have also broken the club record for the most points scored in a league game.

The 102-4 thrashing of West Wales Raiders, in which Hornets ran in 19 tries, was also a record winning margin for the club.
 

Read more: Rochdale Hornets 102 - 4 West WalesPublished: 30 August 2022

Even when the former Championship and League One Coach of the Year has seen his side lose, there have still been positives to take.

When Hornets made the trip to Colwyn Bay to take on second-placed North Wales Crusaders, Thornton had just 17 players available but saw his team score more tries than the hosts – in a narrow 28-24 defeat.

Two weeks later, when unbeaten League 1 Champions Keighley came to the Crown Oil Arena, he had just 14 men to call upon.

And while Keighley would complete their unbeaten season, the 24 points scored by Rochdale that day was the most any team managed against the Cougars all season – an outstanding achievement with only one player on the bench.

Speaking for the first time since his appointment, Thornton said: “I’d like to thank Andy [Mazey] and Steve [Kerr] for giving me the opportunity to lead the club into the 2023 season. When I originally came in, to assist Matt [Calland], I had no plans to resume a head coach’s role and was just happy to be back doing what I enjoy – coaching rugby league.

“But obviously things changed with the unfortunate departure of Matt – who I have the utmost respect for as a knowledgeable and technically astute rugby league coach – and when I was asked to take over till the end of this season, I agreed as I thought it would give the lads some stability.

“Since then, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time and have had a fantastic response and support from the players and supporters, which has fuelled my decision to continue into 2023.

“We still have plenty to play for this season as we go into the final stages of the play-offs. But, whatever happens, I am planning for next season already and it will be another tough year but one we should look to with optimism.

“I’m working hard to put a competitive squad together, who will give their all on the pitch for this famous club.”

Having also coached at Doncaster and Hunslet, Thornton brings a wealth of experience to the role and Hornets chairman Andy Mazey is delighted to have secured his services on a long-term basis.

He said: “We are pleased to announce Gary as our new head coach as he’s a coach of undoubted calibre and experience, with proven success in the Championship and League One.

“When Gary agreed to take on the role in an interim capacity early in August, we identified areas which needed improvement. During his short time in charge, we are pleased with the progress that’s been made.

“What has been very apparent is that he is extremely positive and professional in his approach and an excellent communicator and man-manager, key skills not only in the modern game but the modern world. 

“Gary fully understands the club’s position and that of the wider sport right now as we await the IMG strategic partner proposals, which will hopefully give a clearer indication of the direction of travel for clubs at our level.

“We all now need to get vociferously behind him, our staff, and the team as we look forward to Saturday’s Elimination Semi Final at North Wales.”