Sean Long

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title: "Sean Long" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1976-births", "living-people", "20th-century-english-sportsmen", "21st-century-english-sportsmen", "england-national-rugby-league-team-players", "english-rugby-league-coaches", "english-rugby-league-players", "english-rugby-union-players", "featherstone-rovers-coaches", "great-britain-national-rugby-league-team-players", "hull-f.c.-players", "lance-todd-trophy-winners", "oldham-r.l.f.c.-coaches", "orrell-r.u.f.c.-players", "preston-grasshoppers-r.f.c.-players", "rugby-league-five-eighths", "rugby-league-halfbacks", "rugby-league-players-from-wigan", "rugby-union-players-from-wigan", "st-helens-r.f.c.-captains", "st-helens-r.f.c.-players", "widnes-vikings-players", "wigan-warriors-players"] description: "GB & England international rugby league footballer & coach" topic_path: "technology/web" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Long" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary GB & England international rugby league footballer & coach ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox rugby league biography"]

Field	Value
name	Sean Long
fullname	Sean Bernard Long
image	Sean Long 2007.jpg
position
birth_date
birth_place	Wigan, Greater Manchester, England
height	1.75 m
v Great Britain">{{cite web	url
weight	13 st
club1	Wigan Warriors
year1start	1994
year1end	97
appearances1	12
tries1	2
goals1	2
fieldgoals1	0
points1	12
club2	Widnes Vikings
year2start	1997
appearances2	9
tries2	2
goals2	13
fieldgoals2	1
points2	35
club3	St Helens
year3start	1997
year3end	09
appearances3	343
tries3	156
goals3	989
fieldgoals3	23
points3	2625
club4	Hull FC
year4start	2010
year4end	11
appearances4	22
tries4	6
goals4	0
fieldgoals4	0
points4	24
teamA	Great Britain
yearAstart	1997
yearAend	06
appearancesA	14
triesA	4
goalsA	14
fieldgoalsA	1
pointsA	45
teamB	England
yearBstart	2000
appearancesB	5
triesB	2
goalsB	5
fieldgoalsB	0
pointsB	18
ru_club1	Preston Grasshoppers
ru_year1start	2011
ru_club2	Orrell R.U.F.C.
ru_year2start	2017
ru_appearances2	0
ru_tries2	0
ru_goals2	0
ru_fieldgoals2	0
ru_points2	0
coachteam1	Featherstone Rovers
coachyear1start	2023
coachgames1	22
coachwins1	19
coachdraws1	0
coachlosses1	3
coachteam2	Oldham RLFC
coachyear2start	2024
coachyear2end	25
coachgames2	55
coachwins2	41
coachdraws2	2
coachlosses2	12
retired	no
source
updated	11 November 2025
::

|name = Sean Long |fullname = Sean Bernard Long |image = Sean Long 2007.jpg |image_size = |caption = |position = |birth_date = |birth_place = Wigan, Greater Manchester, England |height = 1.75 m v Great Britain" |weight = 13 st |club1 = Wigan Warriors |year1start = 1994 |year1end = 97 |appearances1 = 12 |tries1 = 2 |goals1 = 2 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 12 |club2 = Widnes Vikings |year2start = 1997 |year2end = |appearances2 = 9 |tries2 = 2 |goals2 = 13 |fieldgoals2 = 1 |points2 = 35 |club3 = St Helens |year3start = 1997 |year3end = 09 |appearances3 = 343 |tries3 = 156 |goals3 = 989 |fieldgoals3 = 23 |points3 = 2625 |club4 = Hull FC |year4start = 2010 |year4end = 11 |appearances4 = 22 |tries4 = 6 |goals4 = 0 |fieldgoals4 = 0 |points4 = 24 |teamA = Great Britain |yearAstart = 1997 |yearAend = 06 |appearancesA = 14 |triesA = 4 |goalsA = 14 |fieldgoalsA = 1 |pointsA = 45 |teamB = England |yearBstart = 2000 |yearBend = |appearancesB = 5 |triesB = 2 |goalsB = 5 |fieldgoalsB = 0 |pointsB = 18 |ru_club1 = Preston Grasshoppers |ru_year1start = 2011 |ru_year1end = |ru_appearances1 = |ru_tries1 = |ru_goals1 = |ru_fieldgoals1 = |ru_points1 = | ru_club2 = Orrell R.U.F.C. | ru_year2start = 2017 | ru_year2end = | ru_appearances2 = 0 | ru_tries2 = 0 | ru_goals2 = 0 | ru_fieldgoals2 = 0 | ru_points2 = 0 | coachteam1 = Featherstone Rovers | coachyear1start = 2023 | coachyear1end = | coachgames1 = 22 | coachwins1 = 19 | coachdraws1 = 0 | coachlosses1 = 3 | coachteam2 = Oldham RLFC | coachyear2start = 2024 | coachyear2end = 25 | coachgames2 = 55 | coachwins2 = 41 | coachdraws2 = 2 | coachlosses2 = 12 | retired = no | source = | updated = 11 November 2025

Sean Bernard Long (born 24 September 1976) is an English former professional rugby league footballer, and coach. He has played in the 1990s and 2000s. An England and Great Britain international , Long is regarded by many as one of the finest British players of his generation. He began his career with the Wigan Warriors, and also played for the Widnes Vikings and Hull FC, but is best known for his time playing for St Helens in the Super League with whom he won a total of four Super League championships and five Challenge Cups, as well as numerous individual accolades including the Man of Steel award, and three Lance Todd Trophies.

He has also been the head-coach of Featherstone Rovers and latterly Oldham RLFC.

Early life

Between the ages of eleven and thirteen Long attended St Joseph's Catholic Comprehensive School in Horwich but moved to the Deanery High School on Frog Lane in Wigan because the former only played football, not rugby.

Playing career - rugby league

Domestic

Early career

After signing from local amateur side, Wigan St Judes, Long started his career at Wigan, making his senior debut in 1994, but a serious knee injury kept him out of action for 18 months. Unhappy with the lack of first team opportunities at Wigan, and with the club becoming frustrated with Long's off-the-field incidents, he was sold to struggling First Division club Widnes in April 1997 as part of an exchange deal for Lee Hansen.

He made his debut for Widnes against Keighley Cougars, and went on to make nine appearances during his two month spell at the club. Although Widnes continued to struggle during his time at the club, Long's individual performances attracted the attention of several Super League clubs. He was signed by St Helens in June 1997 for a fee of £80,000.

St Helens

Long made his St Helens debut against Cronulla Sharks in the 1997 World Club Championship. At the end of the season, he played in for Saints in the 1997 Premiership final, but lost to former club, Wigan.

Long played for St Helens from the interchange bench, kicking two goals in their 1999 Super League Grand Final victory over Bradford Bulls.

Long twice set the St Helens record for the number of points scored in a Super League season, gaining 284 points in 1999 and 352 points in 2000.

Having won the 1999 Championship, St Helens contested in the 2000 World Club Challenge against National Rugby League Premiers the Melbourne Storm, with Long playing at scrum half back and kicking a goal in the loss. Long played for St Helens at scrum half and kicked four goals in their 2000 Super League Grand Final victory over Wigan Warriors and was named as Man of Steel in 2000.

As Super League V champions, St Helens played against 2000 NRL Premiers Brisbane Broncos in the 2001 World Club Challenge. Long played at scrum half, scoring a try, three goals and a field goal in Saints' victory.

Long played for St Helens at scrum half, scoring a try, a goal and the match-winning drop goal in their 2002 Super League Grand Final victory against the Bradford Bulls.{{cite news | last = Gordos | first = Phil | title = League poised for breakthrough | work = BBC Sport | place =UK | publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation | date = 27 April 2003 | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/challenge_cup/2979715.stm | access-date = 27 December 2009}}

Having won Super League VI, St Helens contested the 2003 World Club Challenge against 2002 NRL Premiers Sydney Roosters. Long played at stand-off in Saints' 38–0 loss.

In 2004, Long was involved in a betting scandal which resulted in him being suspended for three months.

By 2005, Long had scored 2,000 points for St Helens. During the 2005's Super League X, he sustained a broken cheek bone in a challenge by Wigan Warrior' Terry Newton in an incident that saw Newton receive a 12-match ban, the heaviest for an on-field action in Super League history at the time.{{cite news |url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wigan/4245808.stm |title = Newton got off lightly - Anderson |author = unknown |publisher = British Broadcasting Corporation |date = 14 September 2005 |access-date = 26 April 2009}}

Long played for St Helens at scrum half and scored a try in their 2006 Challenge Cup Final victory over Huddersfield Giants and won the Lance Todd Trophy as man-of-the-match in a Challenge Cup final for a record third time. St Helens reached the 2006 Super League Grand final to be contested against Hull FC and Long played at scrum half in Saints' 26–4 victory.

As 2006 Super League champions, St Helens faced 2006 NRL Premiers Brisbane Broncos in the 2007 World Club Challenge. Long captained Saints from scrum half in their 18–14 victory. St Helens in 2007 took all honours apart from the Super League title when they were beaten by Leeds at Old Trafford in the Grand Final. In 2007 Long received a testimonial match for St Helens against Leigh. Former St Helens players returned for the game, including Chris Joynt, Tommy Martyn and Paul Newlove. St Helens won the game 40–10. right|thumb|Long playing for Saints in 2007 ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/90/Sean_Long_try.jpg" caption="Long scoring a try against Wigan in 2008"] ::

He played in 2008's Super League XIII Grand Final defeat by Leeds. right|thumb|Long playing for Hull F.C. in 2010

He played in the 2009 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.

Hull FC

On 1 June 2009 it was announced that Sean had signed a two-year contract with Hull F.C. for the 2010 and 2011 seasons, leaving St Helens after 12 seasons. Also in 2009 an Autobiography, Longy: Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal was published.{{cite book |title= Longy: Booze, Brawls, Sex and Scandal |last1= Long |first1= Sean |last2= Appleyard |first2 = Nick |year= 2009 |publisher= John Blake Publishing |location= UK |isbn= 978-1-84454-856-9 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=lkWrPwAACAAJ |access-date= 19 February 2011}} Long kicked his 1,000th goal for St. Helens on 22 February 2009 in a game against Huddersfield.{{cite news |url = https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/feb/22/huddersfield-st-helens |title = Long's 1,000th goal crowns St Helens success |author = unknown |publisher = Guardian News and Media Limited |date = 22 February 2009 |access-date = 26 April 2009 |location=London}}

Long announced his retirement from playing rugby league on the morning of 10 August 2011.

International

In the 1997 post season, Long was selected to play for Great Britain from the interchange bench in two matches of the Super League Test series against Australia.

In 2004, Long served a three-month ban for his part in the 2004 rugby league betting scandal. Despite this, Long was selected in the Great Britain team to compete in the end of season 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament. In the final against Australia he played at scrum half in the Lions' 44–4 loss.

Following the 2006 season, Long was selected for Great Britain in the Tri nations. Long played in the first game between Great Britain and Australia, which resulted in Great Britain's first victory in Sydney in 18 years, with a score of 23–12. However, on 13 November 2006, Long returned home from the Tri-Nations tour, with 'personal reasons' cited as the reason by Great Britain coach Brian Noble.

Long officially retired from international football in April 2007, wishing to concentrate on his club career.

Playing career - rugby union

On 1 November 2011 it was announced he had signed a playing contract with Rugby Union side Preston Grasshoppers in SSE National League 2 North.

In 2017, he joined rugby union side Orrell RUFC.

Coaching career

Salford

Following his retirement as a player, Long began a coaching career, and began an assistant coaching job with Salford.

Samoa

In 2013, Sean Long was appointed assistant coach of Samoa's 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign. In 2014 Long reprised his role as Samoa played in the Four Nations. Sean Long was appointed assistant coach for Samoa for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.

St Helens

In November 2014, Long left Salford and took up the assistant coach role at St. Helens following former teammate Keiron Cunningham's appointment as head coach from 2015 onwards.

Harlequin FC (RU)

He was assistant coach of Harlequin FC after leaving St Helens.

Leeds Rhinos

On 26 October 2020, Long was confirmed as the Assistant Coach at Leeds marking his return to rugby league.

France

On 29 March 2021, Long was named as assistant coach for France as they prepare for the forthcoming 2021 Rugby League World Cup, alongside his responsibilities at Leeds Rhinos.

Featherstone Rovers

On 5 October 2022, Long was appointed as the new head coach of RFL Championship side Featherstone. On 7 August 2023, Long was terminated by Featherstone as head coach. The club were sitting eight points clear at the top of the table when the decision was made.

Oldham RLFC

On 25 October 2023 he was appointed head coach of Oldham RLFC on a 3-year deal Longy won his first league title for Oldham in the 2024 RFL League One Season

On 11 November 2025 his shock 'mutual respect' exit from Oldham RLFC was announced.

Notes

References

References

1. "Index entry". ONS.
2. "Preview: 1st Ashes Test - Australia v Great Britain".
3. "Hull F.C.". Hull F.C..
4. "Sean Long".
5. (31 December 2017). "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org.
6. (1 June 2009). "St Helens' Sean Long agrees deal to join Hull at the end of the season". The Guardian.
7. (20 November 1996). "Long wait is over".
8. (28 December 1996). "Long power". The Mirror.
9. (27 September 1997). "'Best Decision I've Ever Made'".
10. (2010). "The Wigan Warriors Miscellany". The History Press.
11. (8 October 2004). "Robinson ready for grand sign-off".
12. (24 April 1997). "Depression deepens for Vikings fans".
13. (12 June 1997). "Moving On Up".
14. (20 November 2014). "Long's appointment will add something special".
15. (26 January 2010). "Sean Long looking forward to new chapter".
16. "Engage Super League".
17. (18 June 2004). "Gleeson and Long banned for betting scandal".
18. "Leigh Centurions Official Website".
19. (4 October 2008). "2008 Grand Final". BBC.
20. Fletcher, Paul. (10 October 2009). "St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos". BBC Sport.
21. (1 June 2009). "Hull FC sign Saints veteran Long". BBC News.
22. (14 November 2006). "Rugby league: Long's career in doubt after drunken binge".
23. (17 April 2007). "Long quits the Lions to focus on Saints career".
24. (November 2011). "Preston Grasshoppers announces arrival of league legend".
25. "Salford recruit Long to staff". Sky Sports.
26. (17 November 2014). "Sean Long returns to St Helens as Keiron Cunningham's assistant coach".
27. (29 Mar 2021). "Sean Long named France assistant coach".
28. "Sean Long sacked by Featherstone Rovers with head coach replacement confirmed".
29. (25 October 2023). "Sean Long appointed Oldham head coach: 'The vision of the club and facilities we've got is something that attracted me'".
30. Callum Walker. (11 Nov 2025). "Sean Long departs Oldham in shock exit".

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