Ford to depart club for Sale Sharks

16th June 2025

Doncaster Knights can today confirm that Head Coach, Joe Ford has left the club to take up a new role as Attack Coach with Premiership side, Sale Sharks.

Joe joined the Knights in 2022, initially as Backs Coach, before being promoted to Head Coach in 2023. Since then, he has been instrumental in driving the club forward, both in terms of performance on the field and in building a strong, united culture within the squad.

Under Joe’s guidance, the Knights have developed an exciting, expansive style of play that has helped unlock potential across the squad, guiding them to a top-three finish this season.

Highlights of Joe’s tenure include a club record of 12 consecutive wins while competing at this level. As well as that, Ford has guided this squad to many historic moments. This season, Doncaster Knights are the only team to have beaten the league champions Ealing, both home and away. On 7 February, when the Knights travelled to the Salford Community Stadium to face Sale Sharks, our current squad became the first-ever Doncaster side to defeat Premiership opposition.

Working alongside our Head of Recruitment, Matt Harland, Joe has helped to build a talented and exciting squad going forward—a wonderful combination of local Yorkshire talent, Championship superstars, and experienced ex-internationals. Joe’s ability to blend these experienced players with rising prospects has helped lay the foundations for long-term success at the club.

Thanks to Joe, we’ve also built a strong relationship with Sale Sharks this season, including joint training sessions that have been hugely beneficial for our players and coaches alike. A partnership we hope will continue to grow and bring long-term value to the club.

While he will be missed at the club, we are incredibly pleased that Ford’s hard work and talent has been recognised. We are delighted that he has been given an opportunity to progress his coaching career while being close to his family and hometown.

Doncaster Knights would like to extend a huge thank you for everything that Ford has done for the club. His time, effort, and dedication has been unmatched, and we know that he has left a solid foundation for the club’s future.

Thank you, Fordy.