Hundreds of people have lined the streets of Pontefract in West Yorkshire for the funeral of rugby league legend Rob Burrow.
The Leeds Rhinos hero died last month aged 41, having been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019. A dad-of-three, Burrow dedicated his final years to raising awareness of the neurodegenerative condition, helping to raise more than £15m for MND charities alongside his great friend Kevin Sinfield.
While he had initially been given a life expectancy of just two years following his diagnosis with the incurable condition, the inspirational star exceeded this by a further three years, before passing away in hospital on June 2.
Burrow’s funeral took place today (Sunday, July 7), with the date holding a special significance as it is Rob Burrow Day – an annual event held by Leeds Rhinos since 2021, in a nod to the number seven shirt he wore during his career. While the service was for “invited guests only”, the club encouraged people to line the route to Pontefract Crematorium as Burrow made his “final journey”.
Hundreds of mourners turned out to pay their respects, with some fans holding yellow roses in tribute to the rugby star. Burrow’s wife and three children attended the private service, alongside his parents and several of his former team-mates including Sinfield.
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Service now under way
As the service gets underway, here are some of the latest pictures from Pontefract
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Funeral cortege arrives
The funeral cortege has arrived at Pontefract Crematorium, having passed by hundreds of mourners along the route.
Burrow’s family will join over 150 others at the private service which is now getting underway.
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Watch live
Live coverage as the cortege makes its way to the crematorium
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Burrow was ‘big in heart, spirit and determination
Ahead of the service, Leeds Rhinos CEO Gary Hetherington has said that while Burrow doubted himself over his 5ft 5in stature at the start of his career, he “did prove himself big enough… he was big in heart, spirit determination and ability.”
Hetherington described him as “an iconic sportsman.”
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‘Son, Bro and Dad’
Burrow’s coffin is adorned with flower displays that read ‘Son’, ‘Bro’ and ‘Dad’.
Fans have placed flowers on the windscreen of the hearse carrying the coffin, as they applaud and wipe away tears.
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Applause as cortege passes by
Mourners lining the route have applauded the funeral cortege as it makes its way to the crematorium
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Sinfield arrives
Kevin Sinfield has arrived at Pontefract Crematorium alongside his wife Jayne
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Latest photos from Pontefract
The latest images as mourners line the funeral route
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Poignant date
The date for the Leeds Rhinos’ legend’s funeral is a poignant one as it also marks Rob Burrow Day – an event celebrated by the club since 2021.
It falls on July 7 in a nod to the number seven shirt which he famously wore throughout his career.
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Service details
Leeds Rhinos said 161 guests would be at the private service at Pontefract Crematorium, the BBC reports.
With mourners lining the route, the hearse carrying Burrow’s coffin will make its way to the crematorium, followed by the late star’s wife Lindsey, their three children Macy, Maya and Jackson and Rob’s parents Geoff and Irene, with other cars carrying Burrow’s sisters and Lindsey’s parents and brother.
A statement from Leeds Rhinos read: “The service will be for invited guests only with a limited capacity at Pontefract Crematorium for the service. However, Rob’s final journey has been published and members of the public are invited to stand on the road side to pay their respects to Rob and the Burrow family as the funeral cortège makes its way to the service.”
13:28John Jones
Crowds lining the route
It is a sombre mood in Pontefract with hundreds of mourners lining the streets to pay their respects to Burrow.
The late star was a legend on and off the pitch, with members of the public moved by his courageous journey with MND and his heroic efforts to raise awareness of the condition.
