Steve Prescott Man of Steel award campaign

A campaign has been launched to have the Man of Steel renamed in honour of rugby league champion Steve Prescott.

Prescott, 39, was awarded an MBE in 2010 following his remarkable and inspirational charity work and cancer campaigning, having been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer himself in 2006.

Fans have now launched a petition for signatures, and have contacted the RFL and all professional clubs in the UK.

One of the fans behind the campaign, Graham Middleton, said: “We have a true hero in our midst, a man who played our great game with true professionalism, a man who has been exemplary not only throughout his playing career but also off the field. He is respected by supporters of all rugby league clubs and not just the ones he represented.

“We have an annual awards dinner at which the player voted for by his peers as the most consistent in the league over the season is awarded the ‘Man Of Steel award’. We would urge the powers that be to rename the award in Steve Prescott’s honour. We have the Lance Todd trophy, the Harry Sunderland award and the Albert Goldthorpe Medal and we believe this would be a fitting and lasting tribute.”

To sign the petition click here.