|
Stephen Prescott MBE (26 December 1973 – 9 November 2013) was an international rugby league footballer. Prescott was born in St Helens, and started his professional career with his hometown club, who signed him in 1992. He made his début for St Helens a year later, and soon established himself as the club's first choice fullback. In 1996, Prescott helped Saints win the Championship (Super League I) and Challenge Cup for the first time in two decades. He went on to win a second consecutive Challenge Cup with the club in 1997, but was sold to Hull Sharks at the end of the season. After spending two years at Hull, Prescott joined Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (Heritage #1154) in 2000, but rejoined Hull a year later after being released by Wakefield due to the club's financial difficulties. Prescott made his senior international début in 1996, playing both games for England in their 1996 European Championship victory. He later changed his international allegiance to Ireland, who he represented at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. He also made one appearance for Lancashire in 2003, but suffered a serious knee injury while playing for the team, which ultimately ended his playing career. In 2006, Prescott was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer and was given months to live. He set up the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2007, and went on to organise a series of money-raising initiatives. He raised almost half a million pounds for charity through the foundation, and was awarded an MBE in 2009 for his efforts. After a long battle with the disease, he died in 2013, aged 39. In October 2013 a small group of people started a campaign to get the highest honour in English Rugby League the Man of Steel Award to be renamed after Steve. On 5 March 2014 the RFL announced that the Man of Steel award will be renamed after Steve and is now known as the Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award. ==Early life== Steve Prescott was born in St Helens on 26 December 1973. He attended De La Salle High School, and is the son of Eric Prescott, a forward who played for St Helens, Salford and Widnes. Prescott was introduced to sports from an early age, often playing both football and rugby league on the same weekend. Prescott trialled with several football clubs, including Liverpool, before opting to focus on rugby league during his teens. He was playing for local amateur side Nutgrove before signing for St Helens in 1992. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Steve Prescott」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|