Steve Prescott facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Steve Prescott
MBE

Personal information
Full name	Stephen Prescott
Born	(1973-12-26)26 December 1973 St Helens, Lancashire, England
Died	9 November 2013(2013-11-09) (aged 39) Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Playing information
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight	13 st 12 lb (88 kg)
Position	Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1993–97 St Helens 117 52 66 0 340 1998–99 Hull Sharks 40 15 63 2 188 2000 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats 25 3 13 0 38 2001–03 Hull FC 67 41 134 1 433 Total 249 111 276 3 999 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1996 England 2 3 7 0 26 1998–00 Ireland 8 2 17 0 42 2003 Lancashire 1 0 0 0 0

Stephen Prescott (born December 26, 1973 – died November 9, 2013) was a famous rugby league player. He played as a fullback, which is a key position in the game, during the 1990s and 2000s. Steve was also awarded an MBE, which stands for Member of the Order of the British Empire, for his amazing work.

Steve Prescott started his professional career with St Helens in 1993. He quickly became the team's main fullback. In 1996, he played for England and helped St Helens win the Super League and the Challenge Cup. He won the Challenge Cup again with St Helens in 1997. After that, he moved to Hull Sharks.

He played for Hull for two years, then joined Wakefield Trinity in 2000. A year later, he returned to Hull. Steve also played for Ireland in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. His playing career ended in 2003 due to a serious knee injury.

In 2006, Steve was diagnosed with a rare type of stomach cancer. Doctors told him he only had months to live. Despite this, he started the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2007. He organized many events to raise money for charity, collecting almost £500,000. He received an MBE in 2009 for his efforts. Steve bravely fought his illness for many years but passed away in 2013 at age 39. A year later, the main award in rugby league, the Man of Steel Award, was renamed in his honor.

Early Life and Rugby Beginnings

Steve Prescott was born in St Helens, England, on December 26, 1973. He went to De La Salle High School. His father, Eric Prescott, was also a rugby league player. Steve loved sports from a young age, often playing both soccer and rugby league on the same day.

He tried out for several soccer clubs but decided to focus on rugby league as a teenager. He played for a local amateur team called Nutgrove before joining St Helens in 1992.

Playing Rugby League

Time at St Helens

Even though some thought Steve was too small for professional rugby, he proved them wrong with great performances for the reserve team. He played his first game for St Helens in September 1993 against Leigh. He scored his first try later that year against Hull.

Steve played 15 games and kicked 29 goals in his first season. He played as a winger or filled in as fullback. By the 1994–95 season, he became the team's main fullback. In December 1994, he scored three tries in one game against Batley. He was given a new four-year contract soon after. He played 34 games that season and scored 20 tries.

In 1996, Steve won his first major trophy during the first-ever Super League season. He scored four tries in a game that helped St Helens win their first league championship since 1975. He also played in the 1996 Challenge Cup Final, scoring two tries early in the game. St Helens won 40–32 against Bradford Bulls.

The next season, Steve helped St Helens win the 1997 Challenge Cup again, beating Bradford Bulls once more. He had some injuries that season. In November 1997, he moved to Hull Sharks for a large transfer fee. In his 117 games for St Helens, he scored 52 tries and kicked 66 goals.

Playing for Hull F.C.

In February 1998, Steve Prescott made his debut for Hull F.C. in the Challenge Cup. He scored his first try for Hull in the next round. He became the team's regular goal-kicker later that year. In 1999, he missed two months of the season because of a dislocated elbow.

Hull F.C. was having financial problems, and Steve's contract was ending. He left the club but later returned.

Short Time at Wakefield Trinity

Steve signed with Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in 2000. He played 25 games and scored 3 tries. However, his contract was ended after one season because the club was having money troubles. He then went back to Hull.

Return to Hull F.C.

In 2003, Steve Prescott started the Super League season with a bang, scoring three tries against his old club, the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. In June 2003, he signed a new contract with Hull FC. He played his last game for the club, also against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, scoring two tries and six goals in a big 44–4 win.

A week later, he suffered a career-ending knee injury while playing for Lancashire. Even though he only played 19 games that season, Steve scored 216 points. This was his highest points total in a single season. He made a total of 107 appearances and scored 56 tries during his two times at Hull FC.

Playing for His Country

Steve Prescott first played for Great Britain's under-21 team in November 1994 against Australia. He scored all of his team's points in that game. In 1995, he also played for the under-21s against France.

In 1996, Steve played for England in the European Championship. He was named man of the match against France, scoring two tries and kicking seven goals in a huge 73–6 win. He also scored a try against Wales, helping England win the tournament.

In 1998, Steve decided to play for Ireland because of his family background. He played for Ireland in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. He played in all four of their games before they were knocked out by England. Steve scored one try and kicked 17 goals during the tournament.

Steve also played one game for Lancashire in July 2003. During this game, he broke his kneecap. This injury eventually led to his retirement from rugby league in June 2004, at the age of 30.

Steve's Brave Fight and Legacy

In September 2006, Steve Prescott was diagnosed with a very rare type of cancer called pseudomyxoma peritonei. Doctors told him he might not live to see his two children grow up. He had an emergency operation to remove a tumor from his stomach.

The Steve Prescott Foundation

In August 2007, Steve started the Steve Prescott Foundation. This foundation aimed to raise money for two important causes: the Christie Hospital, a top cancer treatment center, and Try Assist, a fund for rugby league players who need help.

To raise money, Steve organized charity boxing matches and rugby league games. Many of his former teammates took part. He also took on incredible challenges himself. These included running the London Marathon and cycling from Land's End to John O'Groats while also climbing the three highest mountains in England, Scotland, and Wales.

For his amazing work for rugby league and charity, Steve was given the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) award in 2010.

By the time Steve passed away in 2013, his foundation had raised almost £500,000.

His Passing and Lasting Impact

Steve Prescott passed away on November 9, 2013, more than seven years after his cancer diagnosis. His bravery and fundraising efforts left a huge impact.

In February 2014, it was announced that his former clubs, St Helens and Hull, would play for the "Steve Prescott Cup" every year. More than 12,000 people signed a petition asking for the main rugby league award, the Man of Steel award, to be renamed in his honor. In March 2014, the Rugby Football League officially renamed the award the "Steve Prescott Man of Steel" award. The bridge near Langtree Park was also renamed the Steve Prescott Bridge to remember him.

The Steve Prescott Bridge, named in his honor.

Achievements

Club Trophies

• Super League (1): 1996
• Challenge Cup (2): 1996, 1997

International Trophies

• European Rugby League Championship: 1996

Special Awards

• Rugby League Writers' Association Merit Award, 2009
• Mike Gregory Spirit of Rugby League Award, 2009
• Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), 2010
• Honorary doctorate from the University of Hull, 2011