Leeds Rhinos are planning a permanent tribute to Rob Burrow at Headingley

Leeds Rhinos plan to build a permanent tribute to Rob Burrow at their home in Headingley as they continue to mourn the death of their former player.

Burrow died last Sunday, aged 41, after a four-and-a-half-year battle with motor neurone disease, during which he helped raise millions of pounds for charity.

Tributes were paid to the father-of-three, who won eight Super League titles with the Rhinos, throughout the week, with a minute’s silence held at Saturday’s Challenge Cup final between Wigan and Warrington.

And the club announced on Sunday that it would liaise with Burrow’s family about how to turn the shirts and other items that were left at Headingley into a permanent memorial.

A club statement said: “From Monday morning, June 10, club staff will begin collecting and safely storing the many shirts and memorabilia that have been left in tribute to Rob from people all over the country.

“This is to ensure they will not be damaged by the weather and the site remains a fitting tribute to Rob. Each will be photographed and put into a book, copies of which will go to the family, one to the stadium and one to be housed in the new Rob Burrow Center for MND.

“The club will make a decision, together with Rob’s family, how to use the shirts and items to form a permanent tribute in the stadium, most likely somewhere in the South Stand, to remember where people came to remember Rob in this week.”

Headingley will remain open for the next two weeks for well-wishers to visit and pay their respects, but the club have asked that no further shirts or items be brought to the ground.

The Rhinos are also in discussions with the Burrow family about plans for the public to pay their respects during the funeral, which will take place early next month.

The statement continued: “The club is coordinating with the Burrow family regarding the details of Rob’s funeral, which will take place in early July.

“This will be a private event for family and friends, however there will be a chance for members of the public to pay their respects to Rob on his final journey, details of which will be published nearer the time.

“The club is also working with Leeds City Council on a larger civic event following Rob’s funeral, which will be streamed for those who wish to watch. Details of this will be announced in due course.”

The Rhinos’ next home game against Leigh Leopards on June 21 falls on Global MND Awareness Day and the club marked the event as a celebration of Burrow’s life.