League coach Alan Kilshaw addresses investigation involving alleged ‘noose photoshop’ image

A rugby league coach has spoken out following allegations a photoshopped image of an opposition player in a noose was displayed by someone while he was coach. An investigation continues as he prepares to join another club eager to return to its glory days.

Former Swinton Lions coach and incoming Oakey Bears coaching director Alan Kilshaw. Picture: Supplied.

A newly appointed senior rugby league coach in Toowoomba was under investigation following allegations that a photoshopped image of an opposition player in a noose was displayed by someone when he was coach.

Alan Kilshaw has this week accepted the coaching director role at Oakey Bears while he continues the battle to clear his name in his home country of the United Kingdom where the Rugby Football League Championship division is conducting the investigation.

The ugly incident occurred in a game between Kilshaw’s former club Swinton Lions and Widnes Vikings in July.

It is alleged that a photoshopped image of Vikings player Nick Gregson with a noose around his neck was placed in the Swinton dressing room with the phrase “bully him” written on it.

Speaking from the UK, Kilshaw said he did not produce or share the alleged image in question however he has been issued with a three-month suspended ban following the incident.

“I haven’t produced it or print it (the image) or anything like that but obviously I was head coach so it’s on me to manage that better to make sure that sort of thing didn’t happen,” he said.

“But when you’ve got games to prepare for and things like that, obviously things do get missed.

Alan Kilshaw during his time as Sarina Rugby League coach in 2015. Photo: Lee Constable

“All that sort of stuff was a bit of a blow-up over nothing, there’s been an outcome that’s sensible really.

“These things happen and it’s a learning curve I suppose, to make sure it doesn’t happen.

“It was just unfortunate the way it happened really and some of the allegations that were false.

“Rugby league is an emotional game, people act on emotions especially after a loss so it could have been handled better but obviously a player takes to social media and they have quite a big fanbase and it took on quite a lot of traction really and was unnecessary.

“But the outcome should be coming out in the next few days which is sensible and we can all move on from it now.”

Kilshaw believes his role in the matter is now finalised, however, RFL has said the investigation is still ongoing.

When asked for further details about the nature of the investigation and any subsequent charges or bans RFL responded by email with ‘the investigation is still live, and therefore we are unable to provide any further details. It was opened in the days following a fixture between Swinton and Widnes in July’.

Despite the uncertainty of the situation Kilshaw has the full backing of his new club.

“It was an incident that occurred at a game during the season, he was accused of doing something that he didn’t do … at the end of the day the investigation has been closed I think he was given a three month suspension, suspended for 12 months” Oakey Bears president Jason Shannon said.

“It was of no concern to us, it was an isolated incident that he wasn’t responsible for, but he was responsible for the team.”

Looking to the future Kilshaw said he will use the incident as a learning experience.

“I think in this day and age, got to be mindful that things can get put into the public domain now more so than ever,” he said.

“It is obviously difficult you’ve got 25 players, coaches, a game to prepare for and all that, it falls on me to make sure things are signed off better and things like that in the future.”

With Kilshaw bringing high level coaching experience from both the UK and Queensland, Shannon shared what Kilshaw will bring to a club which is eager to improve on its 11th-placed finish in 2024.

Alan Kilshaw during his time with Sarina. Photo Tony Martin

“A new level of professionalism,” he said.

“I think the whole club is excited, his remit whilst it’s specifically A-grade, it’s also to really establish our football program from 13s right through to A-grade.

“And that’s what we want to do, we want to be seen as a club that’s got one of the best football programs in the TRL and we’ve gone and found a coach with the experience and qualifications that can build that for us.”

He also shared how a country rugby league club like Oakey managed to come across a Championship coach in the UK.

“We went to market through a number of recruiters, we knew what we were looking for and we had a number of applicants and of all the applicants we had, Alan was by far the most qualified,” Shannon said.

“The final decision came down to, if we were going to bring in someone that was unknown in the TRL, so we weren’t hiring from the TRL system itself, then we might as well hire the best guy.”

Kilshaw shared his excitement around joining the club ahead of his inaugural venture in the Toowoomba Rugby League.

“There’s a lot of potential there and we need some direction and hopefully I can give that, we’re at the bottom of the barrel at the minute and we’re ready to shoot up,” he said.

“I think there’s a lot of good things happening off the field and it’s up to me to put that all together.

“We’re quite aggressive in our recruitment, we want to get the right balance, we want a good core of local players and then bring in some players in and around that are key players in the Toowoomba competition, or around the area of Ipswich and places like that where we can add some players to that local group.

“That wants to be our DNA really and build on that and build from the juniors and get players coming through all the way to first grade.

“That sort of stuff takes time but we want to be getting results as well while we’re doing that, it’s definitely an exciting prospect.”