Andy Hay

May 2014 to July 2015

After some confusing announcements from shareholder Feisal Nahaboo, Andy Hay was eventually appointed as Rovers new Head Coach in May 2014 to succeed John Bastian.  Hay had done his apprenticeship as a super league assistant coach for a number of years at Castleford, Hull and Salford.  As a player, Andy had started with his hometown club Castleford, before playing at Sheffield, Leeds and Widnes.  He also had a connection to Rovers through his father John Hay who had played 57 games for Featherstone Rovers in the early 1970’s.  

The squad Hay inherited was not performing consistently and particularly in defence was prone to significant lapses.  Things did not improve much during Hay’s first few months, not helped by injuries and turnover of players.  A bit of off field turmoil in the club didn't help either.  Rovers had entered into a dual registration agreement with Wakefield which covered some injuries but did little to improve the consistency of selection.  A low point was losing to Rochdale in July who at the time had lost their previous 8 games. But Rovers under Hay’s guidance won 6 of their last 8 games to finish second which importantly guaranteed significant extra central funding in 2015.  Good form continued in the play-offs and victories over Halifax and Sheffield saw Rovers into the Grand Final as underdogs to face Leigh Centurions who had won the league by 15 points and had already beaten Rovers 3 times.  In a competitive game Rovers lost 36-12.

Hopes were high for 2015 with a route to promotion now available.  Hay was now able to shape the squad and 15 new players were brought in, including experienced players Paul Wood, Gareth Carvell and Paul Sykes, and overseas players Jy Hitchcox, Rene Matua, Ryan Verlinden and Reni Marginet.  Despite this investment, early season home thrashings by Bradford and Leigh set the tone for a side that never looked capable of challenging at the very top of the table.   The side just wasn’t consistent enough to make the top four and qualify for the Super 8's - this ultimately cost Hay his job. 

2014: Won 13 Drew 1 Lost 5 = 71.05%

2015: Won 15 Drew 0 Lost 8 = 65.22%

Total: Won 28 Drew 1 Lost 13 = 67.86%