Craig Lingard

Craig Lingard is an English rugby league coach and former player.

Playing career

Born in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, Lingard played as an amateur with Sharlston Rovers before turning professional. His professional playing career was at Batley Bulldogs, where he played from 1998 to 2008. Playing at fullback, Lingard scored 142 tries and is Batley's all-time leading try scorer. A a tribute to this record the club named one of the terraces at the Fox's Biscuits Stadium, the Craig Lingard Terrace.

Coaching career

After retiring from playing, Lingard joined the Bulldog's coaching team and also worked as part of the Bradford Bulls coaching staff before being appointed head coach of National Conference League team, Bramley Buffaloes, in 2012. After just one season at Bramley, Lingard left and rejoined Batley as assistant head coach to John Kear.

Lingard continued in his Batley role until the end of the 2016 season when he was appointed head coach at Keighley Cougars on a two year contract.

Outside rugby league

Lingard's involvement with rugby league has always been part-time and away from the game he is also a serving prison officer. While head coach at Bramley, Lingard was a competitor on British gameshow Countdown.