Steve Prescott Man of Steel petition handed to RFL

A petition to have the Man of Steel award named after Steve Prescott was handed in to RFL headquarters on Monday.

The petition has received 12,664 signatures after a campaign ran by Graham Middleton, Paul Whitaker, Debs Fitzgerald and Alison Watson.

Middleton said: “We felt the time was right to draw the petition to a close as we feel the RFL are now acutely aware of the campaign and also the magnificent support we have received.

“It was a fairly nerve wracking journey to Red Hall, not really knowing how we would be received but we were welcomed by Ralph Rimmer’s PA, Charlotte Monkman. 

“When we started the campaign we anticipated we could pretty much count on the support of Hull Fc, Saints and Wakefield supporters but we have been totally blown away by the support we’ve received. We had signatures from Thailand, Canada, USA, Australia, Jamaica and have made lifetime friendships from this campaign.

“The initial ‘petition target’ was 2000 signatures, that was smashed inside a fortnight. To reach almost 13,000 signatures is testament to the popularity not of our idea but of Steve’s influence and legacy on the rugby league family, he commands the respect of everyone.”

Rugby league champion Prescott passed away back in November, after several years of incredible fundraising in the face of adversity.

He will be remembered at this Friday’s Super League clash between his former clubs, St Helens and Hull, who will do battle for the inaugural Steve Prescott Cup, and the footbridge that links the town centre to Langtree Park will become the Steve Prescott Bridge at a special ceremony starting at 5.30pm.