Friday 10 July 2015 11:23, UK
Former Huddersfield boss Jon Sharp looks set to return to coaching with Championship side Featherstone Rovers after leaving his post as head of match officials at the Rugby Football League (RFL).
The 38-year-old former Hull and Featherstone forward took the Giants to the Challenge Cup final in 2006 before joining the governing body four years ago.
Sharp was initially employed as a technical advisor before taking over as controller of referees but is now in line to succeed Andy Hay at the Big Fellas Stadium after he left Rovers in the wake of their surprise home defeat by Dewsbury last Sunday.
Sharp spent four and a half years in charge of Huddersfield and was also assistant coach to Great Britain boss Brian Noble from 2003-06.
He also had a brief spell as advisor to caretaker coach Danny Evans at Featherstone after leaving Huddersfield in 2008, as well as stints at Hull and Crusaders before taking up his post with the RFL.
"The last three and a half years have been some of the most rewarding of my career and I am pleased that I had the opportunity to work alongside a group of match officials whose professionalism and expertise is world class,” said Sharp.
"Just as the sport has made the most of the opportunities that have emerged from the new era, I have no doubt that the Rugby League Match Officials will build on the high standards that we have set."
The RFL will consider the implications of Sharp's departure and decide how the role will be replaced in the coming weeks.
