A DEDICATED Hull FC fan who led a campaign to have the Man of Steel trophy named in Steve Prescott's honour has picked up an award of his own.
Graham Middleton has been crowned this year's Brut Fan of Pride winner, a competition run across rugby league to find the country's best fan.
A Black and Whites fan for 35 years, it was Mr Middleton's work in leading the way to get the Man of Steel trophy named after the former Hull full-back Mr Prescott that won over the judges.
The much-loved rugby league player and prolific charity fundraiser died in November after a long battle with cancer. He was 39.
Mr Middleton said: "Obviously, it would have been impossible without the inspirational Steve Prescott.
"Although it's absolutely fantastic to have been voted Fan of Pride, it's just such a shame that Steve wasn't actually with us for the first awarding of the Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award.
"I'm totally, totally overwhelmed to have won it.
"To become the overall Brut Fan of Pride is just an immense achievement. It's something that will live with me forever."
The Steve Prescott Man of Steel award is decided by a poll of every Super League player at the end of the season. The votes are then considered by a selection panel.
This year's award went to Castleford's Daryl Clark, who also handed Mr Middleton his trophy.
"To be at the awarding of the first Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award was something else," said Mr Middleton.
"It was not just myself. There was support across the whole of the rugby league, including the RFL – it was just amazing from day one.
"It's just a pleasure to be a part of it, although tinged with the sadness of losing Steve in November last year."
As part of his prize, Mr Middleton won £5,000 for the Hull FC Community Foundation, a pair of Hull FC 2015 season tickets, a signed Hull FC shirt and an invitation to the Man of Steel Awards.
Blake Solly, general manager of the First Utility Super League, who was part of the judging panel, said: "Graham is a brilliant example of how someone's passion for rugby league and their favourite club can extend to amazing support for the most worthwhile of causes.
"Graham's work on the campaign to have the Man of Steel award named after Steve Prescott mobilised the entire rugby league community to support not only the renaming, but also Steve's foundation.
"It is fitting that he received his Brut Fan of Pride award at this year's Man of Steel awards and I hope he fully enjoyed the experience."
