David Hobbs and Kevin Hobbs

Two brothers who both became Rovers head coach.

David Hobbs

 David Hobbs will always have a special place in the hearts of all Rovers fans, for those of us old enough (30 years ago folks!) could never possibly forget the 1983 cup-final at Wembley, when David’s two tries played such a big role in our win. Nor should we forget his winning drop goal which was mysteriously disallowed before Steve Quinn settled things. That day he became Featherstone’s third Lance Todd Trophy winner after Carl Dooler and Steve Nash. David started his Featherstone career in 1978 as a strong running centre with a prodigious goal kick on him too. In a short time he was operating in the second row, and his record of 66 tries in 205 games (33 as sub.) is a testimony to what a dangerous wide runner he was. He set a try scoring record for a forward of 21 in 1982, which was subsequently equalled by Peter Smith. Quinn’s presence in the team limited Hobbs’ kicking options, but he still managed 105 and 15 drops. He became Rovers’ 12th GB International in 1984 and toured Australia that summer. He won eight of his twelve caps with us, some of them at prop. David was sold to Oldham at the height of the miners’ strike in 1985 to ease our financial worries. Later in his career at both Oldham and Bradford he was a ball-handling prop, before coaching at Bradford and Wakefield. He then became Rovers head coach in 2006, see here: http://marklaspalmas.blogspot.com.es/2012/05/david-hobbs.html

Kevin Hobbs

Kevin Hobbs may have only managed a more modest 30 games for Rovers, but was a good servant to both the first and second team around the same time as his brother. Whilst David made his debut against Castleford on Easter Monday 1978, Kevin had made his debut the previous September on the wing against Hunslet. The first time they played together was against Warrington in December 1978. The opening day of the league season  in August 1981 against Castleford was the only time both brothers scored tries in the same game. Kevin went on to become Rovers assistant coach to Steve Sims and later Gary Price, and of course held the top job himself for a short while in 1999. See here: http://marklaspalmas.blogspot.com.es/2012/04/they-coached-rovers-kevin-hobbs.html

The family connection doesn’t end there, as David and Kevin’s father Derrick Hobbs served as club secretary at Featherstone for eleven years, taking over from Ron Bailey in 1967 before giving way to Terry Jones in 1978.