Leeds is in mourning today after the death of rugby league great and MND ambassador Rob Burrow, with his friend and former Leeds Rhinos teammate Kevin Sinfield leading tributes.
Rob passed away on Sunday at the age of just 41, following a four-and-a-half-year battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
In that time, he has done so much to raise awareness and vital funding for the cruel disease, often with the help of his friend Kevin Sinfield - together, the pair have inspired more than £20 million in fundraising.
And theirs was a friendship for the history books.
Kevin has now shared a tribute to his 'little mate', writing that 'the world has lost a great man'.
In his tribute, shared by Leeds Rhinos, he sent his love to Rob's family (the sporting legend leaves behind wife Lindsey, two daughters and a son) and praised Rob's bravery.
Kevin's moving tribute says: "Today was the day that I hoped would never come. The world has lost a great man and a wonderful friend to so so many. You fought so bravely until the end and became a beacon of hope and inspiration, not only for the MND community but for all those who saw and heard your story.
"My love and thoughts go to your beautiful family, Lindsey, Macy, Maya, and Jackson, to your lovely parents Geoff & Irene, sisters Joanne and Claire and your wider family and friends.
Floral tributes to Rob Burrow are already piling up at Headingley Stadium. Credit: Leeds Rhinos
"You will continue to inspire me every single day. I have lost a dear friend and I will never forget the special times we shared both on and off the pitch. I would always say that you were pound for pound the toughest player I ever played alongside, however since your diagnosis, you were the toughest and bravest man I have ever met.
"The last 4 and a half years you showed the world what living and loving looked like and this was always done with the biggest smile on your face.
"I will miss you my little mate. All my love, Kev x."
Rob Burrow passed away peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital with his family by his side.
Fans are invited to pay their respects to Rob in the South Stand at his beloved Headingley Stadium, with the gates open from Sunday evening for visitors and floral tributes already mounting up.
Leeds Rhinos' tribute to Rob Burrow CBE
Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow has passed away at the age of 41
It is with deep sadness that the club can confirm that former player Rob Burrow CBE has passed away, aged 41.
Rob inspired the entire country with his brave battle against Motor Neurone Disease (MND) since his diagnosis in December 2019. He passed away peacefully at Pinderfields Hospital near his home surrounded by his loving family after becoming ill earlier this week.
Burrow played his entire career with Leeds Rhinos and won every honour with the club as part of their golden generation. A hard working and dedicated player, his fearless performances made him one of the most respected players in the Rhinos ranks.
Rob rose through the club’s Academy ranks to make his debut in 2001. In 2004, he was part of the Leeds team that ended a 32-year wait to win the Championship with victory in the Grand Final. It was the first of eight Grand Final wins for Burrow including winning the Man of the Match award in the 2007 and 2011 Old Trafford showpieces. The 2011 game included his breathtaking try that is still regarded as the greatest Grand Final try ever scored.
In total he made 492 appearances for the club, placing him in fifth in the club’s all-time list of career appearances. He scored 196 tries for a total of 1,103 points. He was capped 15 times by England and played five more tests for Great Britain including a Man of the Series performance in 2007 for the national side. He won the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 2014 and 2015 as well as three World Club Challenges and three League Leaders Shields.
Following his MND diagnosis in December 2019, Burrow and his family took the decision to open their doors to show the impact of the disease and raise awareness and funds for the MND community. Since then Burrow has inspired two award winning documentaries, wrote a best selling autobiography, hosted an award winning podcast and was awarded a CBE from HRH Prince William at AMT Headingley in January 2023.
Along with his friend and former team mate Kevin Sinfield, Burrow has inspired nearly £20 million in fundraising across the UK and Ireland. This has included raising over £6 million to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds as a lasting legacy for those who follow him in their own personal battles with the disease.
On behalf of the Burrow family, we would like to thank the staff at Pinderfields Hospital for their compassion and caring for Rob in his final days. Fittingly, as a tribute to the incredible work done by Rob, the groundbreaking of the new Rob Burrow Centre for MND at Seacroft Hospital on Monday will go ahead as planned at Rob's request. At this time, we would ask that everyone respect the privacy of the Burrow family.
Well wishers who wish to pay their respects to Rob can do so in the South Stand at Rob's beloved Headingley Stadium, with the gates open from Sunday evening for visitors to come.
How to support Rob Burrows' family or MND
If you would like to support Rob’s family directly, you can do so here
If you would like to support the MND Association, whom Rob was Patron of, you can do so on Rob’s Fightback Fund page
If you would like to support the Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND you can do so here
Featured image: Leeds Rhinos
Leeds
The £500k Leeds home that comes with its own clock tower – and a link to royalty
If you’ve ever fancied living in something that feels halfway between a fairytale cottage and a period drama set, this one might do it.
Tucked away in Gledhow, The Clock House isn’t your typical Leeds terrace. In fact, calling it a terrace feels a bit like calling a castle 'a nice semi'.
Built around 1657, the two-bedroom property is part of the historic Gledhow Hall Estate, a site once owned by none other than Queen Elizabeth I.
It's a beautiful home, inside and out, with Yorkshire stone walls, cobbled courtyards, and the striking clock tower that gives the home its name.
With wrought iron gates and space for up to four vehicles, it feels like you're miles away from the city, while still being firmly in LS8 (and just moments from vibrant shops, bars and restaurants).
The interiors of the clock tower home have been beautiful renovated, with plenty of character but modern comforts, like a deVOL-designed kitchen with quartz worktops, vaulted ceilings, and Crittall-style doors that open straight onto the garden
Other features include a marble fireplace, oak flooring, and calming sage tones.
The clock tower over the house in LeedsThe courtyard spaceThat incredible kitchenInside the clock tower house in LeedsInside the clock tower house in Leeds
Upstairs, there are two bedrooms, including a principal suite with its own spa-like ensuite, plus a second bedroom complete with dressing area.
And then there’s the garden - south-west facing, private, and complete with a sun house that could double as a home office, studio, or just somewhere to hide with a coffee.
The property is currently on the market for offers over £500,000, which, for a Grade II-listed home with this much character and history, feels like it could be a real steal.
The Moot Hall Arms might be one of the best football pubs not just Leeds, but the whole country
Danny Jones
That's right, you heard: The Moot Hall Arms, a dyed-in-Peacock-feathers pub, isn't just one of the best spots to watch Leeds United in the city, or even Yorkshire, we believe it might just be one of the best sports bars in the whole country.
If you've ever been, you'll know why, and if you haven't, keep reading...
Located over in Mill Hill on the corner of Bishopgate and New Station Street, The Moot Hall is an unadulterated, uncensored and utterly unapologetic lovely letter to all things Leeds - both the team and the place.
Owned and operated by the Stonegate Group, but lovingly run by landlords Claire and Ross, a.k.a. 'Mr and Mrs Moot', this tribute to all things Elland Road is about as die-hard a Whites stronghold as you'll ever come by.
Claire took over the venue back in 2022, not long after cult icon Marcelo Bielsa led his Leeds side back to the Premier League for the first time in more than a decade and a half away from the top flight.
'Boss Lady' Claire fell became a fan not just of the beautiful game but of Leeds United when she fell in love with watching the late, great, Gary Speed.
What started as a teenage crush has gone on to become a lifelong love affair, and despite not hailing from the region herself, you won't find many bigger supporters of the local culture in the city centre.
You only have to see how many people filter through the doors, not only on a matchday, but throughout the week, even whether or not there's any football on the box.
Though, to be honest, there's also something on.
Glance around, and you'll see countless bits of sporting heritage hung on the walls, with tonnes of authentic pieces of paraphernalia, all situated pride of place across nearly every square inch.
As a passionate project that has seen the pair become popular local figures in their own right, the majority of this stuff has actually been gifted to them by fellow supporters and Leeds natives.
From the people who walk through the door, to the steady supply of merch they hand over to make this the Peacocks' paradise that it is, they live, breathe and bleed white, yellow and blue.
Previously, it was known as the Princess of Wales, the Waiting Rooms, and an old beer house known as Baht'ap, but this most recent iteration looks set to be the start of a dynasty.
Fans will be hoping that's a sign of things to come as they continue a period of rebuilding and expansion back in the first division, including a stadium redevelopment.
While there are plenty of places that hang up a flag or two, it isn't just a sporting allegiance for these lot; similar to the loyal matchgoers who follow Leeds home and away, it's quite literally a way of life.
It's also worth noting, by the way, that while sharing its namesake, the Arms isn't located in the same area as the original Moot Hall (the old town hall, courts and council building) up on Briggate, but it is only a roughly five-minute walk away if you want to make a sort of publicans' pilgrimage.
For most Whites, every match is just as massive as the last one, but we need to tell you how huge the game coming up at Wembley is for the club.
Put simply, it could be one of the biggest days in Leeds United's modern history - that is, if/when they make it through to the final itself.
With that in mind, make sure you don't miss a second of the action, and even if the Moot Arms is packed, there are plenty of places to cheer on Daniel Farke's side. Roll on the weekend, marching on together.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd June 2024 
