Rob Burrow’s dad slams ‘disgraceful’ honours as Kevin Sinfield snubbed for knighthood
Rob Burrow’s dad, Geoff Burrow, has slammed the ‘disgraceful’ honours system that has seen Kevin Sinfield snubbed of a knighthood for another year
Rob Burrow’s dad slammed the “disgraceful” honours system on Wednesday after Kevin Sinfield was again overlooked for a knighthood.
Geoff Burrow led calls for rugby league hero Sinfield to be made ‘Sir Kevin’ in recognition of his extraordinary fundraising feats. Kevin and fellow Leeds Rhinos legend Rob, who died in June from Motor Neuron Disease at the age of 41, raised £16m together.
Kevin added another £1.5m for MND research, double the £777,777 target, with seven ultra marathons in seven days last month. He was awarded a CBE last year, and Whitehall sources say another honour is not traditionally awarded within three years.
But Geoff said: “Disgraceful that Kevin has been overlooked again for a Knighthood. Never mind the ‘rules’, get Kevin knighted. He is a working class hero. That is something to be.”
Rugby league fans pointed out that not a single player, coach or official had been knighted in the 125-year history of the sport, and questioned whether that was due to its “working class” roots.
Kevin’s dad Ray Sinfield, 73, a retired electrician, of Oldham, Lancs, said: “Whether that rings true today, I am not too sure. He was called ‘Sir Kev’ by the Leeds fans and I was always happy with that, I thought that was a really fitting tribute.”
Martin Johnston, diagnosed with MND in 2018, posted an image of former England boss Gareth Southgate alongside Sinfield on X, formerly Twitter: “One was paid £5m a year to beat teams like Slovakia in Extra Time, but ultimately fail.
“The other has put his body on the line to raise over £11m in honour of his friend and the MND community who are in desperate need of treatments. Guess which one has been given a Knighthood?”
Kevin’s dad Ray declined to comment on any other award recipients, adding: “Nobody will admit to any weakness in the system. We are just so proud of him, we were when he played, and what he has done since he played is beyond all our expectations.
“I have been told that people are annoyed about him not being made Sir but I don’t know, I am not on social media. Above all, Kevin wants a real breakthrough in the field of MND research and eventually a cure but it is a big ask. These things need money.
“What you see with Kevin is what you get, he is no different if he is on TV, speaking to a crowd or sitting at home on the sofa with us.
When he receives them, of course he is pleased, it is a nice thing. But he has never once mentioned the prospect of receiving an honour, and Kevin being Kevin, I would not expect him to.”
Rob was awarded an MBE for his efforts in raising the profile of MND. Kevin was also first given an MBE in 2014 for services to rugby league. In 2021, he was awarded an OBE, again for services to the game and for charitable fundraising.
That was upgraded to a CBE along with the same accolade for best friend Rob last year.
