Departing Kear left dispirited after Crusaders crush Wakefield

Having seen their Super League status surprisingly saved last Tuesday following financially-troubled Crusaders’ decision to withdraw from the licence process, Wakefield made the shock announcement on Saturday that long-serving Kear will not be offered a contract next season.

Then, yesterday, they suffered an abject 40-6 loss at home to the Welsh outfit.

Crisis-ridden Crusaders, who had previously just won four times all year and will hold crucial talks with the RFL tomorrow, ran in seven tries to make a mockery of the licence decision.

Trinity supporters who turned up to celebrate top-flight survival were instead left booing their side off the pitch.

Kear – who refused to respond to questions about his future – was searching for answers after a 6-0 half-time deficit turned into a torrent.

“That second half was just woeful,” he said. “I can see why the people on the sidelines were very disgruntled.

“I can’t argue with that at all – if I’d have paid my money I’d have been very disgruntled too.

“The players looked as if they didn’t care and weren’t trying.

“It was a very strange reaction after what had happened in the week.

“I thought the Crusaders’ reaction was very admirable, ours was the opposite.”

Trinity lost Josh Griffin and Aaron Murphy to injury but Kear, 56, insisted: “That (the display) wasn’t about injuries, it’s about attitude.

“Some players are out of contract and looking to stay, others want a move elsewhere. Well, they won’t do it playing like that.

“Crusaders put a good job advert in (yesterday) but a lot of my players were totally the opposite.

“People might think because I won’t be here next season it doesn’t matter but it does.

“That’s why it hurts me a great deal because I’m a proud man. My players didn’t play like proud men.

“It’s very sad we saw something like that.

“They acted in a surreal way. It’s been a surreal, really strange week.

“Thankfully the club can build for the future with the security of the three-year licence and let’s hope they can do that.”

Kear’s future is now up in the air. He is believed to be in the running for the Castleford Tigers job but is by no means a certainty to become Terry Matterson’s successor.

In a statement over the weekend, Wakefield’s chief executive James Elston said: “Having sat down with John this week, all parties felt it was the right time to make a change.

“There have been some testing times at the club throughout his campaign since joining in 2006 and John has always approached each situation with dignity and professionalism.

“He has played a major part in the recent history of the Wildcats and we thank him for what he has achieved.”

Ironically, Crusaders coach Iestyn Harris may come into the running for the role at Belle Vue although the club are expected, like Castleford, who will reveal their short-list soon, to cast the net wide.

Harris, meanwhile, kept his comments brief, thanking his players for their “proud” efforts and saying only that the club would be making a “powerful” statement later this week week following their meeting with the governing body.