A PETITION calling for rugby league’s top award to be named after sporting hero Steve Prescott has been handed in to the sport’s governing body.
Hull FC legend Steve died in November after a long battle with cancer. He was 39.
Since his death, Rugby Football League (RFL) chiefs have faced growing pressure to rename Super League’s Man of Steel Award after him.
This week, campaigners Graham Middleton, Paul Whitaker, Debs Fitzgerald and Alison Watson handed over the petition, with 12,664 signatures, to RFL representative Tina Ward at the league’s Redhall headquarters in Leeds.
Hull FC fan Mr Middleton said: “We have done all we can now and it is now in the hands of the RFL.
“There will be a meeting of the board to discuss the matter.
“The response to our campaign has been phenomenal and we have had people signing from the likes of Australia and Thailand.
“It isn’t just Hull FC and St Helens fans that have been backing this, but fans from other clubs.
“It is always said there is a rugby league family and this has really showed with this campaign.”
Mr Middleton says she does not know whether the name will be changed.
He said: “It is very difficult to break into the inner circle of the RFL and they don’t give much away.
“We just want the RFL to listen to the fans and we need to go through the proper channels. I would say our chances are 50/50.”
Mr Middleton said it will be emotional if the campaign proves successful.
“I am an 18st man who is nearly 6ft tall but I will be in tears if they change the name,” he said.
“We would like to see it called the Man of Steel Steve Prescott award, which encapsulates everything.”
Mr Middleton admits if the RFL decides against the name change there will be little the campaigners can do.
He said: “Once the RFL makes a decision, that will be final.
“But we can say we did our absolute best.”
Thousands have joined the Facebook group “Steve Prescott Man of Steel Campaign”.
On Friday, the footbridge linking the town centre to St Helens’s Langtree Park stadium will be renamed after Steve.
Mr Middleton said: “We are hoping to get 5,000 on the Facebook page by Friday.
“I will then attend the naming ceremony at St Helens.”
Father-of-two Steve was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer in 2006.
Following his diagnosis, he set up the Steve Prescott Foundation, which has given almost £500,000 to Christie Hospital in Manchester, where he received treatment, and the Rugby Football League Benevolent Fund.
Despite his illness, Steve completed many demanding challenges and marathons.
Article source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26149055
"Man of Steel Steve Prescott Award" petition handed into Rugby League HQ in ...
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