Backroom changes at Swinton as Allan Coleman appoints support staff

27 October 2021

As we look forward to the start of pre-season training and our 2022 ambition to be successful in League 1, Head Coach Allan Coleman and the Board have been pro-active in strengthening the club’s coaching and backroom team.

Coming in as Assistant Coach will be Connor Farrell. The recently retired back-rower did of course make a few appearances for the Lions during the 2017 campaign when on dual registration from Wigan Warriors. He also later enjoyed success with Featherstone Rovers and Bradford Bulls, and has recently began carving out a career in coaching.

Swinton Head Coach Allan Coleman said, “It’s a brilliant to have Connor on board. I asked him to help me out for the last six games of the 2021 season and he was brilliant. He brings a lot to our team from his experiences at the top level, and I’m convinced he will become a big part of our coaching team.”

In response Connor added, “I am really looking forward to next season and would like to thank Swinton Lions for the opportunity. There’s a buzz around the club and I can’t wait to be an official part of it.”

Also joining the coaching team will be Thomas Wood, who is currently the Head Coach at Leigh Miners Rangers and Lancashire Under 19s, and has also coached the England Lions community team. Allan Coleman explained, “Tom is a young coach who I have worked with at Leigh Miners, Lancashire and England Lions. I have brought Tom on board because he is a very good coach with lots of knowledge of the sport. He works very hard behind the scenes and will bring a lot to the squad and our coaching team. He is a brilliant addition to our team.”

Tom said, “As well as working with Allan again, I am looking forward to the opportunity to working with a quality squad of players and staff at such an historic club as Swinton Lions. With the squad that the club is assembling, 2022 should be an exciting year for the Lions and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Tom is also an extremely capable performance analyst, and this is an area that we have further strengthened with the appointment of Daniel Bamber. Daniel is 28 years old and has previously worked in a backroom role at Warrington Wolves and Oldham. He is a real student of the game, and will bring valuable support to the coaching team.

Daniel said upon his appointment, “I am really excited to be joining Swinton Lions. From the meetings I’ve had with Steve and then Allan and the rest of the staff, everything has been really positive. With the team that we are putting together I don’t see why we can’t make a genuine push for the League 1 title in 2022.”

The recruitment of Tom and Daniel has been partly necessitated by the impending departure of Chris Wharton. “Cordial” has of course become a well-known figure at Swinton in recent seasons, in his position as performance analyst and assistant to the Head Coach. However, he will be leaving us with immediate effect in order to pursue a career elsewhere in rugby league. Cordial leaves us on very amicable terms, and as a club we wish every success in the future. Chris will always be a “Lion”, and will always be very welcome at Swinton.