Albert Rosenfeld

Virtual Rugby League Hall of Fame

Man of Steel
Home Up Contact Contents Links

 

History - Man of Steel

St Helens’ rising star James Roby was still in shock as he came to terms with lifting the most coveted individual award in rugby league.

The 21-year-old Great Britain hooker overcame stiff competition from Wigan Warriors’ Australian stand-off Trent Barrett and his St Helens team-mate Paul Wellens to be named 2007 Man of Steel at a glittering awards ceremony at Old Trafford.

"I didn’t think I would have been up for the award," he said. "There are plenty of other players that I would have picked well ahead of me, the likes of Keiron (Cunningham) and Paul Wellens and players from other teams. I’m in a bit of a shock, to be honest."  See full story at the Super League site.

The Man of Steel Award, inaugurated in 1977, annually honours the player judged to have made "the biggest impact" in the British game. Voted on by members of the Rugby League press the award has often bypassed the top try scorer, winning captain or great International player.

The award is generally club and country blind, winners include Australians and a New Zealander, and is often won by a player from a club that has no trophies in the cupboard.

Season Winner Team
2007 James Roby St. Helens
2006 Paul Wellens St. Helens
2005 Jamie Lyon St. Helens
2004 Andrew Farrell Wigan Warriors
2003 Jamie Peacock Bradford Bulls
2002 Paul Sculthorpe St. Helens
2001 Paul Sculthorpe St. Helens
2000 Sean Long St. Helens
1999 Adrian Vowles Castleford Tigers
1998 Iestyn Harris Leeds Rhinos
1997 James Lowes Bradford Bulls
1996 Andrew Farrell Wigan Warriors
1995 Denis Betts Wigan
1994 Jonathan Davies Warrington
1993 Andy Platt Wigan
1992 Dean Bell Wigan
1991 Garry Schofield Leeds
1990 Shaun Edwards Wigan
1989 Ellery Hanley Wigan
1988 Martin Offiah Widnes
1987 Ellery Hanley Wigan
1986 Gavin Miller Hull Kingston Rovers
1985 Ellery Hanley Bradford Northern
1984 Joe Lydon Widnes
1983 Allan Agar Featherstone Rovers
1982 Mick Morgan Carlisle
1981 Ken Kelly Warrington
1980 George Fairbairn Wigan
1979 Doug Laughton Widnes
1978 George Nicholls St. Helens
1977 David Ward Leeds

 

 Flexible Broadband Services Send mail to webmaster@rlhalloffame.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 15 July 2008