Calls for Rob Burrow train naming honour

Rob Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019

Calls have been made for a train to be named in honour of rugby league legend and motor neurone disease (MND) campaigner Rob Burrow.

Burrow died aged 41 in June, having spent the last five years of his life, together with close friend and former team-mate Kevin Sinfield, raising awareness about MND after he was diagnosed with the condition.

Wakefield Council representatives are expected to meet with rail operator Northern and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to discuss the proposal, a meeting heard.

Burrow won eight Super League Grand Finals, three World Club Challenges and two Challenge Cups during his 16-year playing career with Leeds Rhinos.

After he was diagnosed with the degenerative condition in 2019, Burrow and Sinfield raised more than £15m for charity in less than five years.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, details of the potential move were raised during a Wakefield Council meeting by Scott Haslam, councillor for Featherstone.

Haslam said: "The people of Featherstone, I believe, would like to see some form of testimony to Rob Burrow.

"Is there scope to honour Rob's legacy, in conjunction with his family of course, perhaps in the naming of a locomotive that would honour him across the district, West Yorkshire and the wider community?"

The Rhinos star played at junior level for Castleford Panthers and Featherstone Lions, with Castleford Civic Society also making the case for the train honour.

Darren Allsopp, regional stakeholder manager for Northern, replied: "We tend not to name trains because we would get so many requests.

"However, if it is something specific I am happy to have an offline conversation."

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