Rob Burrow: Pontefract pay tribute to Leeds Rhinos star

Flowers, letters and rugby league shirts honoring Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow have been left in his home town of Pontefract.

The 41-year-old, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019, died at Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield on Sunday.

Burrow was born in Pontefract on 26 September 1982, before moving to Castleford, where he grew up, playing rugby from the age of seven.

Tributes were left at Pontefract Buttercross for the player, who along with former team-mate Kevin Sinfield raised more than £15m in less than five years for MND research.

At the Pontefract site, resident Tricia France, 67, said: “To this area, to anyone, he is a hero.

“I think it was just an inspiration to everybody. When I met him he lived in Castleford, Townville and went to the same school as my son.

“He’s one of those guys who has just achieved amazing things and he’s a role model for any kid growing up in Pontefract and Castleford.

“He is an absolute hero and will be sadly missed.”

Although Burrow only played for Leeds Rhinos, fans of all clubs made their way to the city center to pay their respects.

Tony Mills, 56, is a Featherstone Rovers fan who came to lay flowers on Wednesday.

He said: “He’s a Pontefract boy and you never forget your own.

“Even though he played for arch-rivals Castleford and arch-rivals Featherstone, it’s still a sad thing to happen and everyone comes together in times like this.”

He added: “He didn’t do it for rugby league, he did it for Yorkshire, he did it for Great Britain, he did it for the world because everybody knew Rob Burrow for what he was – a great man”.

Burrow had a stellar 17-year career which included winning eight Super League Grand Finals, three Club World Challenges and two Challenge Cups.

At 5ft 5in he was one of the shortest players in the game, but one of the best known.

Phil Hetherington, 61, said as a Castleford fan he wished Burrow had played for his team but he was “a legend in the game”.

“He was just a small guy, but a big presence,” he said.

“We’re very proud that he was from Castleford and not proud that he played for Leeds, but very proud that he was a Cas boy and what he did in the game.”