Batley Bulldogs v Halifax Panthers preview: Mount Pleasant prepares to honour John Kear in ‘emotional affair’
James Ford says it will be another “emotional affair” on Sunday as Batley Bulldogs fans get their first chance to come together at Mount Pleasant to honour former head coach John Kear.
The Bulldogs welcome West Yorkshire rivals Halifax Panthers to the Fox’s Biscuits Stadium having thrashed Goole Vikings 50-4 away.
That provided the first opportunity for Batley to pay respect to Kear, who sadly passed away on his way back from the Challenge Cup final on Sunday, May 31.
Ford told the Reporter Series: “It was an emotional day for everyone associated with the club and it is certainly not missed how much of an impact he had on Batley and a whole heap of players who are still at the club.
“We had an obligation to go out there and honour him. Hopefully he watched the game from up there and enjoyed it.
“The players have been good. I think they have dealt with the shock and sadness tremendously well. I am really pleased and proud of them.
“I am very confident it will be another emotional affair (this Sunday). I know a lot of Batley fans hold John in the highest possible regard and I am confident a vast number will turn out to make sure he is honoured.”
The win at Goole marked a third consecutive victory – and a fifth in seven games – in the Championship for the Bulldogs, who moved above Dewsbury Rams into ninth.
“We are attacking well at the minute,” Ford said. “That hasn’t always translated into points and there are bits and pieces where we have had to improve, and we are improving.
"We are getting more cohesive and our younger players are 15 games deep into their professional careers. They are becoming more experienced and of course they are going to get better.”
However, Ford revealed his main focus will be on defence against the physical strengths of Halifax.
He said: “I thought our contact was off and Goole rolled us a little bit and we are now about to face a very, very physical team. They are going to try and win the physical battle and we need to front up a little bit better than what we did against Goole.
“Halifax have got a good team and, as a club, they are important to the Championship. They are up there with London and Newcastle in terms of physicality from what I’ve seen this season. We are going to have to be good.”