A lifelong Leeds United and Leeds Rhinos fan is starting his own charity football club in honour of local legend, Rob Burrow MBE.
Regan Talbot from Bramley has been an avid follower of not only United but the Rhinos from a young age and after seeing the incredible work Burrow and co. have done for motor neurone disease in recent years, he was inspired to set up MND FC.
The charitable new club is still yet to get off the ground — due to launch fully in 2024 — but Regan hopes to help raise money for MND organisations and inspire others to try and make a difference.
What a legend.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, the 24-year-old who played both rugby league and football when he was younger said he grew up having Burrow as one of his biggest “icons and heroes”.
Being not only someone he “idolised as a kid” but an even more motivational role since his diagnosis, Talbot went on to say, “What [Rob] is going through at the minute is shocking… MNDA has always been around but it needs help. This disease needs a cure.”
The painting and decorating apprentice also stressed his belief in sports’ ability to bring people together and its often curative impact.
“For those 90 minutes, whatever problems you have got, they go away – not just when you’re playing, but when you’re watching it as well”, he said. We couldn’t agree more.
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It might only be a few months into its infancy but MND FC already has two sponsors from local businesses and has even designed the player’s kits.
He’s already met with MND Association (MNDA) to discuss working together, admitting, “I’ve not really done much at the minute and it’s already going through the roof!
For Regan, the sky is the limit, saying that he hopes the club can not only raise significant funds for the likes of Leeds Hospitals Charity, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, Darby Rimmer Foundation and more, but eventually compete at “semi-pro level, or even higher than that.”
Roll on next year and up MND FC!
Featured Image — Regan Talbot (via Instagram)
