Where to begin.
Peter Fox was the coach as my time as a Northern fan. He won us an unprecedented two league titles in a row. I looked up to him enormously and used to pour over his programme notes and listen attentively to any word he uttered on the radio. He had an amazing talent for getting the best out of average players. When I met him in person I could see why. He had an ability to make you feel good about yourself and his confidence in what he said made you feel confident too. You can see why players played above themselves for him. If you could bottle and sell that ability you’d be a millionaire.
I was disappointed when he left us in 1985 and overjoyed when he came back in 1992. Without doubt we would’ve gone down that year if it wasn’t for him. I remember he was newly arrived as coach and sat in the stand at Burnden Park when we got thrashed 71-10 by Wigan in the cup semi final and we looked doomed. Within weeks he’d sorted our defence out and bit by bit we got ourselves out of the mire, culminating in a heart stopping, nail biting 14-12 win at Hull KR that kept us up. Fox saved us without doubt. Nobody else could’ve got that kind of response from the players in such a short period of time. Within a couple of years we just missed out on the title on points difference. We had been transformed.
I remember it was back in 2008 when Peter was up at Odsal doing a book signing for his newly published biography in the club shop before the SL game versus HKR. I went in and there he was sat at a little table in the corner, all alone. A few people were hovering around but they looked a bit awe-struck. I went over and asked if he’d sign me a book. He couldn’t have been more charming. I said “It’s fitting you’re here today when we’re playing Hull KR because 16 years ago you coached us against them and kept us in the top flight.” He puffed his chest out, looked around and said “Aye! And there’s a few around here that have forgotten about that!” I was pleased to then see a few people come forward and re-assure him that hadn’t been forgotten at all.
Looking at all the comments on social media you can see how admired, respected and loved Peter Fox was. He was a guru amongst coaches, a leader of men and Rugby League through and through. I must confess to having a lump in my throat writing this.
RIP Foxy, thanks a million, you were the best.
