The Sale Sharks’ strategy room just got a lot more familiar as Joe Ford steps into the coaching ring, joining forces with his brother George, thereby dialing up the family dynamics at the club. The former fly-half, with tours at Leeds, Northampton, Sale, and Leicester under his belt, is taking over as the new attack coach, following a notable stint as head coach at Doncaster Knights.
Joe’s shift from head coach to attack coach at Sale mirrors a path previously walked by his father, Mike Ford, who transitioned from head coaching roles to more specialized positions before taking on England’s defence strategy. Mike commented on the transition, stating,
"Joe is following my path in terms of having become a head coach really early in his career and now stepping back a bit in terms of responsibility but stepping up a level from the Championship to the Premiership."
He further added that this move sets Joe up perfectly for future head coaching opportunities, drawing on his own experiences of needing more time to mature into top roles.
Juxtaposed with his brother George, a seasoned England international, Joe’s new role at Sale is not just a professional reunion but a continuation of a lifelong rugby partnership. The Ford brothers also run a coffee shop back in their hometown, maintaining a tight-knit bond that transcends beyond the pitch. Mike Ford humorously revealed the rugby-centric nature of family gatherings,
"You come to our house at teatime and around the table nothing else is talked about but rugby."
Reflecting on Joe’s coaching capabilities, Mike recalled his tenure at Doncaster where Joe led the team to an impressive series of victories, including one against Sale itself. This, according to Mike, certainly didn’t hurt Joe’s credentials. Looking ahead, the elder Ford is eager to see his sons collaborate on the field, nurturing a familial synergy that could spell success for Sale Sharks.
Meanwhile, the youngest of the Ford siblings, Jacob, is also carving out his niche in rugby, currently engaged with Oldham Roughyeds Rugby League Club and eyeing coaching opportunities in rugby union. Clearly, the Ford legacy in rugby is set to continue as each brother shapes his own journey within the sport they were born into.
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The Sale Sharks’ strategy room just got a lot more familiar as Joe Ford steps into the coaching ring, joining forces with his brother George, thereby dialing up the family dynamics at the club. The former fly-half, with tours at Leeds, Northampton, Sale, and Leicester under his belt, is taking over as the new attack coach, following a notable stint as head coach at Doncaster Knights.
Joe’s shift from head coach to attack coach at Sale mirrors a path previously walked by his father, Mike Ford, who transitioned from head coaching roles to more specialized positions before taking on England’s defence strategy. Mike commented on the transition, stating,
"Joe is following my path in terms of having become a head coach really early in his career and now stepping back a bit in terms of responsibility but stepping up a level from the Championship to the Premiership."
He further added that this move sets Joe up perfectly for future head coaching opportunities, drawing on his own experiences of needing more time to mature into top roles.Juxtaposed with his brother George, a seasoned England international, Joe’s new role at Sale is not just a professional reunion but a continuation of a lifelong rugby partnership. The Ford brothers also run a coffee shop back in their hometown, maintaining a tight-knit bond that transcends beyond the pitch. Mike Ford humorously revealed the rugby-centric nature of family gatherings,
"You come to our house at teatime and around the table nothing else is talked about but rugby."
Reflecting on Joe’s coaching capabilities, Mike recalled his tenure at Doncaster where Joe led the team to an impressive series of victories, including one against Sale itself. This, according to Mike, certainly didn’t hurt Joe’s credentials. Looking ahead, the elder Ford is eager to see his sons collaborate on the field, nurturing a familial synergy that could spell success for Sale Sharks.
Meanwhile, the youngest of the Ford siblings, Jacob, is also carving out his niche in rugby, currently engaged with Oldham Roughyeds Rugby League Club and eyeing coaching opportunities in rugby union. Clearly, the Ford legacy in rugby is set to continue as each brother shapes his own journey within the sport they were born into.