while the RFL were aligned with the Super League. In 1999, he was appointed as the coach of St. Helens as the successor to Shaun McRae. In his first season as coach, he led St. Helens to the 1999 Super League Grand Final. His side defeated the Bradford Bulls, the club he began his professional playing career at, by 8–6 in October of that year. Whilst he harboured a strong desire to win, he could appear aloof and had several acrimonious disagreements with the St. Helens board of directors, which led to his suspension and eventual sacking as the manager of St Helens in 2000. Ian Millward was appointed as his successor. He switched to rugby union coaching and took up posts with Bristol Rugby, and in the England national set-up. He also got involved in the sport of squash before returning to rugby league as a coaching consultant with Castleford Tigers in 2004. He worked with Cas for just two months before leaving. On 14 December 2007 Hanley was unveiled as the coach of National League Two Club Doncaster. He resigned from that rôle on 28 September 2008, following Doncaster's successful promotion play-off campaign. In a return to coaching after a 14-year gap, Hanley was named, in March 2022 as head coach of the Combined Nations All Stars for their 2022 match against England. Recognition In January 1990 he was honoured with an MBE by the Queen for his services to rugby league. In October 2005, he was inducted into the Rugby Football League Hall of Fame. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest players in rugby league history. Outside rugby league In 2009 Hanley was one of thirteen celebrities taking part in Dancing on Ice, partnered with Frankie Poultney. He was the sixth person to be eliminated from the show. Sources External links Ellery Hanley Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com Profile from 100 Great Black Britons (archived by web.archive.org) Ellery Hanley at rugbyleaguehistory.co.uk (archived by web.archive.org) Ellery Hanley at eraofthebiff.com (archived by web.archive.org) When Britain defeated the Aussies (archived by web.archive.org) The Millennium Masters – Forwards (archived by web.archive.org) Bull Masters – Ellery Hanley MBE (archived by web.archive.org) Wembley Stadium profile (archived by web.archive.org) Profile at leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk 1961 births Living people Balmain Tigers players Black British sportspeople Bradford Bulls players Combined Nationalities rugby league team coaches Doncaster R.L.F.C. coaches England national rugby league team coaches England national