Rob Burrow’s remarkable legacy inspired Wigan rookie Zach Eckersley to realise a childhood dream in Saturday’s Challenge Cup final victory over Warrington.
As fans united at Wembley to pay tribute to Burrow after his death last Sunday, homegrown centre Eckersley dedicated his try in the 18-8 triumph to the late Leeds Rhinos legend.
Burrow died aged 41 after a four-and-a-half-year battle with motor neurone disease and Eckersley revealed he had been inspired by the playmaker’s brilliant career.
Eckersley came through at the same Waterhead amateur club in Oldham as Kevin Sinfield, who supported Burrow closely and raised millions of pounds for MND charities.
After scoring on only his fifth appearance, the 20-year-old said: ‘This was all about Rob Burrow, Kev’s best mate, so it was testament to Rob. He was a great player and it was great to do that for his family.
‘I’m a Saddleworth boy and Kev’s the biggest name from the area. I went to school with his lad Jack so we played together in school teams.
‘I’ve not spoken to the Sinfields much since, but I know they were rooting for me as a local boy. Oldham is just like Wigan, a working-class town where everyone just loves working hard and playing rugby.
