NEWCASTLE THUNDER coach Craig Huby has the backing of Craig Lingard as he takes the reins on Tyneside.
The Blaydon-based club has appointed former Super league prop Huby following the departure of Graham Steadman, who stood down after leading Thunder to second place in the table and the play-off semi-finals.
Huby, 40, spent the last two seasons as assistant to Lingard at Sheffield, with the club parting company with the pair in the wake of a seventh-place finish and progress to stage two out of five of the play-offs.
Previously, ex-Castleford, Huddersfield and Wakefield player Huby was right-hand man to Liam Finn at Dewsbury, then Halifax.
And Lingard, who has also coached Keighley, Batley and Castleford, said: ‘I think Chubs (as Huby is widely known) is ready to make the step up to being a head coach.
“We have a great relationship, the pair of us and Mick Piper formed a tight unit at Sheffield, and I think we did a decent job.
“I’m really pleased that Chubs has got the kind of opportunity he wanted, and he has the chance to develop a squad and put his own mark on Newcastle Thunder.”
The club is set to become more independent of partner club York, and Lingard added: “There are perhaps in some transition, but I think Chubs is more than capable of dealing with that, having gained plenty of experience as an assistant.
“It could even be helpful as he tries to put his own stamp on things, which any coach needs to do, and I know he has a clear plan.
“I’ll be watching on with interest, and I hope he makes a success of things.”
Huby will be assisted by former Newcastle player Alex Donaghy.
Thunder have retained winger Brad Ward, hooker Taylor Pemberton and backrower Noah Whittingham.
