View source for Steve Prescott

{{short description|England & Ireland international rugby league footballer}}
{{for|the artist|Steve Prescott (artist)}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name           = Steve Prescott<br />{{nobold|{{post-nominals|country=GBR|MBE|size=80%}}}}
|fullname       = Stephen Prescott
|image          = Steve Prescott.jpg
|image_size     = 150px
|caption        = 
|position       = {{Rlp|FB}}
|birth_date     = {{Birth date|df=yes|1973|12|26}}
|birth_place    = [[St Helens, Merseyside|St Helens]], [[Lancashire]], England
|death_date     = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2013|11|09|1973|12|26}}
|death_place    = [[Oxford]], [[Oxfordshire]], England<ref name="hadfield">{{cite web|last=Hadfield|first=Dave|title=Steve Prescott: Sportsman who raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity after being diagnosed with terminal cancer|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/steve-prescott-sportsman-who-raised-hundreds-of-thousands-of-poundsfor-charity-after-being-diagnosed-with-terminal-cancer-8943289.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/steve-prescott-sportsman-who-raised-hundreds-of-thousands-of-poundsfor-charity-after-being-diagnosed-with-terminal-cancer-8943289.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|access-date=1 January 2014|date=15 November 2013}}</ref>
|height         = {{convert|5|ft|10|in|cm|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="hullfcprofile">{{cite web|title=Steve Prescott|url=http://www.hullfc.com/first-team/profile/201740/steve-prescott|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140105032202/http://www.hullfc.com/first-team/profile/201740/steve-prescott|archive-date=5 January 2014|publisher=Hull FC|access-date=4 January 2014}}</ref>
|weight         = {{convert|13|st|12|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="hullfcprofile" />
|retired        = yes
|club1          = [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
|year1start     = 1993
|year1end       = 97
|appearances1   = 117
|tries1         = 52
|goals1         = 66
|fieldgoals1    = 0
|points1        = 340
|club2          = [[Hull F.C.|Hull Sharks]]
|year2start     = 1998
|year2end       = 99
|appearances2   = 40
|tries2         = 15
|goals2         = 63
|fieldgoals2    = 2
|points2        = 188
|club3          = {{nowrap|[[Wakefield Trinity|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats]]}}
|year3start     = 2000
|year3end       = 
|appearances3   = 25
|tries3         = 3
|goals3         = 13
|fieldgoals3    = 0
|points3        = 38 
|club4          = [[Hull FC]]
|year4start     = 2001
|year4end       = 03
|appearances4   = 67
|tries4         = 41
|goals4         = 134
|fieldgoals4    = 1
|points4        = 433
|teamA          = [[England rugby league team|England]]
|yearAstart     = 1996
|yearAend       = 
|appearancesA   = 2
|triesA         = 3
|goalsA         = 7
|fieldgoalsA    = 0
|pointsA        = 26
|teamB          = [[Ireland national rugby league team|Ireland]]
|yearBstart     = 1998
|yearBend       = 00
|appearancesB   = 8
|triesB         = 2
|goalsB         = 17
|fieldgoalsB    = 0
|pointsB        = 42
|teamC          = [[Lancashire rugby league team|Lancashire]]
|yearCstart     = 2003
|yearCend       = 
|appearancesC   = 1
|triesC         = 0
|goalsC         = 0
|fieldgoalsC    = 0
|pointsC        = 0
|source         = <ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/steve-prescott/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Rugby league records |id=4481 |title=Steve Prescott |access-date=12 January 2024}}</ref><ref name="spfstats">{{cite web|title=steveprescottfoundation.co.uk|url=http://www.steveprescottfoundation.co.uk/About/StevePrescottStats.aspx|work=Steve Prescott Stats|publisher=Steve Prescott Foundation|access-date=3 June 2012|archive-date=8 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808052156/http://www.steveprescottfoundation.co.uk/About/StevePrescottStats.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| module       = {{infobox person
| embed        = yes
| father       = [[Eric Prescott]]
| mother       = 
| spouse       = 
| education    = 
| alma_mater   = 
| relatives    = 
}}
}}

'''Stephen Prescott''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}} (26 December 1973 – 9 November 2013) was a professional [[rugby league]] footballer who played as a {{rlp|fb}} during the 1990s and 2000s.

Prescott made his début for [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]] in 1993, and soon established himself as the club's first choice fullback. He made his senior international début in 1996, playing both games for [[England national rugby league team|England]] in their [[1996 European Rugby League Championship|1996 European Championship]] victory, and touring with [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] in the Southern Hemisphere. In the same year, he also helped St Helens win the [[Rugby Football League Championship|Championship]] ([[Super League I]]) and [[Challenge Cup]] for the first time in two decades. He went on to win a second consecutive Challenge Cup with the club in 1997, but was sold to [[Hull F.C.|Hull Sharks]] at the end of the season.

After spending two years at Hull, Prescott joined [[Wakefield Trinity]] in 2000, but re-joined Hull a year later after being released by Wakefield Trinity due to the club's financial difficulties. He changed his international allegiance to [[Ireland national rugby league team|Ireland]], who he represented at the [[2000 Rugby League World Cup]]. He also made one appearance for [[Lancashire rugby league team|Lancashire]] in 2003, but suffered a serious knee injury while playing for the team, which ultimately ended his playing career.

In 2006, Prescott was diagnosed with a rare form of stomach cancer and was given months to live. He set up the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2007, and went on to organise a series of money-raising initiatives. He raised almost half a million pounds for charity through the foundation, and was awarded an MBE in 2009 for his efforts. After a long battle with the disease, he died in 2013, aged 39. A year later, the [[Rugby Football League]] renamed the [[Man of Steel Award]] in Prescott's honour.

==Early life==
Steve Prescott was born in [[St Helens, Merseyside|St Helens]], [[Lancashire]], England on 26 December 1973. He attended [[De La Salle School, St Helens|De La Salle High School]],<ref name=telegraph>{{cite web|title=Steve Prescott – Obituary|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/10450197/Steve-Prescott-Obituary.html|work=The Telegraph|access-date=1 January 2014|date=14 November 2013}}</ref> and he was the son of the rugby league footballer; [[Eric Prescott]]. Steve Prescott was introduced to sports from an early age, often playing both [[association football|football]] and [[rugby league]] on the same weekend.<ref name="spfhistory">{{cite web|last=Service|first=Alex|title=Stephen Prescott The Life and Times of a true Sporting Legend|url=http://www.steveprescottfoundation.co.uk/About/History.aspx|publisher=Steve Prescott Foundation|access-date=3 January 2014}}</ref> Prescott trialled with several football clubs before opting to focus on rugby league during his teens.<ref>{{cite web|last=Critchley|first=Mike|title=Steve Prescott was one in a million|url=http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/10798807.Steve_Prescott_was_one_in_a_million|work=St Helens Star|publisher=Newsquest (North West)|access-date=3 January 2014|date=9 November 2013}}</ref> He was playing for local amateur side Nutgrove before signing for St Helens in 1992.

==Club career==
===St Helens===
Although he was initially deemed too small to make the grade by St Helens,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Prescott |first1=Steve |last2=Critchley |first2=Mike |title=One in a Million: My Story |date=2014 |publisher=Vertical Editions |location=Skipton |isbn=978-1-904091-84-4 |page=25 |url=https://archive.org/details/oneinmillionmyst0000pres/page/24/mode/2up?view=theater}}</ref> Prescott secured his future at the club with some impressive performances for the reserve team.<ref name="spfhistory" /> He made his début for the first team in September 1993 against [[Leigh Centurions|Leigh]], and scored his first try later that year against [[Hull F.C.|Hull]].<ref name=saintsheritagesociety>{{cite web|title=Steve Prescott|url=http://www.saints.org.uk/home/player.php?num=16189|publisher=Saints Heritage Society|access-date=4 January 2014|first1=Dave|last1= Dooley|first2=Alex|last2=Service}}</ref> He made 15 appearances and kicked 29 goals during his début season, playing as a [[Rugby league positions#wing|winger]],<ref name="spfhistory" /> or deputising for [[Dave Lyon (rugby league)|Dave Lyon]] at {{rlp|fb}}.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hadfield|first=Dave|title=Rugby League: Hughes has early look at Wigan|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-hughes-has-early-look-at-wigan-1469382.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-hughes-has-early-look-at-wigan-1469382.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|access-date=4 January 2014|date=24 December 1993}}</ref> Although there were still concerns about his size,<ref>{{cite web|last=Hadfield|first=Dave|title=Fearless Prescott on growth curve|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/fearless-prescott-on-growth-curve-1566941.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/fearless-prescott-on-growth-curve-1566941.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|access-date=3 January 2014|date=7 January 1995}}</ref> he established himself as the team's first-choice fullback during the [[1994–95 Rugby Football League season|1994–95 season]], with Lyon moving to the centres.<ref name=saintsheritagesociety /> On 20 December 1994, he scored his first career hat-trick in a 50–22 victory over [[Batley Bulldogs|Batley]] in a [[League Cup (rugby league)|Regal Trophy]] third-round [[Replay (sports)|replay]]. A couple of days later, he was rewarded with a new four-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |last=Fitzpatrick|first=Paul|title=Rugby League: Dons in trouble|newspaper=The Guardian|date=22 December 1994|id={{ProQuest|294885996}}}}</ref> He was a near-ever present throughout the season, appearing 34 times and scoring 20 tries.<ref name="totalrl">{{cite web|title=Obituary: Steve Prescott MBE (1973–2013)|url=http://www.totalrl.com/web/obituary-steve-prescott-mbe-rugby-league|work=TotalRL.com|publisher=League Publications|access-date=5 January 2014}}</ref> Steve Prescott played {{rlp|fb}} in [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]' 16-25 defeat by [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] in the [[1995–96 League Cup (rugby league)|1995–96 Regal Trophy]] Final during the [[1995–96 Rugby Football League season|1995–96]] at [[John Smith's Stadium|Alfred McAlpine Stadium]], [[Huddersfield]] on Saturday 13 January 1996.<ref name="13th January 1996: St Helens 16 Wigan 25 (Regal Trophy Final)">{{cite web|url=http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2976|title=13th January 1996: St Helens 16 Wigan 25 (Regal Trophy Final)|publisher=wigan.rlfans.com|date=31 December 2014|access-date=1 January 2015|archive-date=7 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007005311/http://wigan.rlfans.com/news.php?readmore=2976|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Prescott won his first silverware during the [[Super League I|inaugural Super League]] season in 1996, scoring four tries against the [[Sheffield Eagles]] in the penultimate game of the season as the club went on to secure its first league championship since 1975. He also played for St. Helens at {{rlp|fb}} in the [[1996 Challenge Cup]] Final, scoring two tries in the first seventeen minutes and helping his team to a 40–32 victory against [[Bradford Bulls]].<ref name="spfstats" /> At the start of the following season, Prescott, who was reportedly one of the lowest-paid first team players at the club,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hadfield|first1=Dave|title=Rugby League: Martyn has more cause to celebrate|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-martyn-has-more-cause-to-celebrate-1260231.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-martyn-has-more-cause-to-celebrate-1260231.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=The Independent|access-date=18 August 2014|date=7 May 1997}}</ref> was transfer listed at his own request after failing to negotiate an improved contract with the club.<ref>{{cite news|title=News in brief: Rugby league|work=The Guardian|date=9 January 1997|page=22}}</ref> He remained in the first team however, and was part of the side that won the [[1997 Challenge Cup]], once again defeating Bradford Bulls in the Challenge Cup Final. The rest of Prescott's season was interrupted by a number of injuries, and on 25 July 1997 he played what would be his last game for the club in a 70–6 defeat against [[1997 World Club Challenge|World Club Challenge]] opponents [[Auckland Warriors]].<ref name=saintsheritagesociety /> In November 1997, he was signed by newly promoted [[Hull F.C.|Hull Sharks]], along with [[Alan Hunte]] and [[Simon Booth (English rugby league)|Simon Booth]], for a combined transfer fee of £350,000.<ref name="hadfield" /> In his 117 games for the club, he scored 52 tries and kicked 66 goals.

===Hull F.C.===
In February 1998, Prescott made his début for [[Hull F.C.]] in the [[Challenge Cup]] against [[Whitehaven R.L.F.C.|Whitehaven]], and scored his first [[Try (rugby)|try]] for the club in the next round against [[Ellenborough Rangers]]. In April 1998, he scored two tries against the Sheffield Eagles in his first [[Super League]] match for the club, and became the club's regular [[Goal (sport)#Rugby football|goal]]-kicker later that year. In 1999's [[Super League IV]], Prescott missed two months of the season through injury due to a dislocated elbow. With Hull F.C. struggling near the bottom of the table, and the club being unable to afford his wages, Prescott confirmed he was likely to leave when his contract expired in the winter.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hadfield|first=Dave|title=Prescott on salvage mission|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-prescott-on-salvage-mission-1118641.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-prescott-on-salvage-mission-1118641.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|access-date=12 February 2014|date=12 September 1999}}</ref> Hull F.C. won their last match for the season against the Sheffield Eagles, with Prescott kicking 6-[[Goal (sport)#Rugby football|goal]]s, and finished in 13th place – one position above bottom club [[Huddersfield Giants]] due to a superior goal difference.

===Wakefield Trinity Wildcats===
Prescott signed for [[Wakefield Trinity|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats]] in 2000, scoring 3 tries in 25 games, but his contract was terminated after one season to ease the club's financial problems. He subsequently rejoined Hull.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hadfield|first=Dave|title=Wakefield's spirit is intact|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wakefields-spirit-is-intact-700457.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/wakefields-spirit-is-intact-700457.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|access-date=3 January 2014|date=9 September 2000}}</ref> In April 2001, Prescott was one of 12 former Wakefield Trinity Wildcats players to take the club to an employment tribunal claiming unfair dismissal, and was awarded compensation after the club was found to be in breach of contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Goodway calls for aid package|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/1295270.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=11 February 2014|date=24 April 2001}}</ref>

===Return to Hull F.C.===
At the start of the 2003's [[Super League VIII]], Prescott scored a hat trick in the opening Super League fixture against former club the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. On 26 June 2003, two weeks after signing a new contract with Hull FC,<ref>{{cite web|title=Prescott signs Hull deal|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/2984256.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 January 2014|date=12 June 2003}}</ref> Prescott played his last game for the club, also against the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, scoring two tries and six goals in a 44–4 win<ref name="totalrl" /> before sustaining a career-ending knee injury a week later while representing Lancashire.<ref name="bbcinjury">{{cite web|title=Injury finishes Prescott|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/hull/3818743.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=1 January 2014|date=18 June 2004}}</ref> Despite only playing 19 games, Prescott scored 216 points – the highest total in his career that he achieved during a single season,<ref name="spfstats" /> and finished as Hull FC's second highest try scorer for the season with 18 tries.<ref>{{cite web|title=Super League VIII 2003 – Hull FC|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/super-league-viii-2003/hull-fc/summary.html?order=summary-t#playerlist|work=Rugby League Project|publisher=Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson and Bill Bates|access-date=5 January 2014}}</ref> He made a total of 107 appearances and scored 56 tries during his two spells at Hull FC.

==Representative career==
Prescott made his representative début in November 1994, playing at fullback for [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]]'s under-21 side against [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]], who were [[1994 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France|touring Great Britain and France]]. Despite Great Britain's heavy 54–10 defeat, Prescott was one of the players singled out for praise, having scored all of the team's points (one try and three goals).<ref>{{cite news|last=Irvine|first=Christopher|title=Prescott shows promise; Rugby League|newspaper=The Times|publisher=News International|date=16 November 1994|id={{ProQuest|318205450}}}}</ref> In January 1995, he was selected to represent Great Britain in the [[Rugby League World Sevens]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hadfield|first=Dave|title=Rugby League: Offiah leads way to Sevens|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-offiah-leads-way-to-sevens-1567886.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-offiah-leads-way-to-sevens-1567886.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|access-date=13 February 2014|date=13 January 1995}}</ref> He made a second appearance for the under-21s later that year in a 17–16 loss against [[France national rugby league team|France]].

He was named in [[England national rugby league team|England]]'s 40-man training squad in preparation for the [[1995 Rugby League World Cup]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hadfield |first1=Dave |title=Rugby League: Larder leaves out Schofield |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-larder-leaves-out-schofield-1592364.html |website=The Independent |access-date=23 October 2024 |date=19 July 1995}}</ref> but was not included in the final squad. In 1996, Prescott played both games for England in the [[1996 European Rugby League Championship|European Championship]], including a man of the match performance against France, scoring two tries and kicking seven goals in the 73–6 win, a then-record margin of victory for England.<ref>{{cite news|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Paul|title=Rugby League: Prescott inspires England record European Championship: England 73, France 6|newspaper=The Guardian|date=13 June 1996|page=25|id={{ProQuest|295003441}}}}</ref> The 22 points scored by Prescott was also an individual record for most points scored in a single match for England until this was surpassed by [[Richie Myler]] in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/peacocks-men-run-in-twelve-to-crush-french-1704939.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/peacocks-men-run-in-twelve-to-crush-french-1704939.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title = Peacock's men run in twelve to crush French|website = [[Independent.co.uk]]|date = 13 June 2009}}</ref> He also scored a try in the deciding game against [[Wales national rugby league team|Wales]], helping the team finish as tournament winners with a 26–12 win. Later that year, he was selected in the squad for the Great Britain tour of Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Zealand, but did not feature in any [[Test match (rugby league)|Test]] matches.<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=Andy|title=Steve Prescott obituary|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/17/steve-prescott-obituary|work=The Guardian|access-date=26 January 2014|date=17 December 2013}}</ref>

In 1998, Prescott changed his international allegiance to [[Ireland national rugby league team|Ireland]], qualifying under the [[grandparent rule]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Rugby League: Irish welcome Prescott|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-irish-welcome-prescott-1168180.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-irish-welcome-prescott-1168180.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|access-date=5 January 2014|date=28 June 1998}}</ref> He represented Ireland at the [[2000 Rugby League World Cup]], playing in all four of their games before being knocked out by England in the quarter-final. Prescott scored one try (in the opening game against [[Samoa national rugby league team|Samoa]]) and kicked 17 goals during the tournament.

Prescott also made one appearance for [[Lancashire rugby league team|Lancashire]] against Yorkshire in July 2003 at [[Odsal Stadium]]. He suffered a broken kneecap during the game, which was initially expected to keep him out of action for two months.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hadfield|first=Dave|title=RUGBY LEAGUE: Great Britain reward Thorman for Origin exploits|newspaper=The Independent|page=4|date=5 July 2003|id={{ProQuest|312232821}}}}</ref> Prescott did not play again for the rest of the year, however, and required a second knee operation after suffering from discomfort when returning to pre-season training ahead of the 2004's [[Super League IX]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Ledger|first=John|title=Prescott optimistic of making Hull return|url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/prescott-optimistic-of-making-hull-return-1-2533502|work=Yorkshire Post|publisher=Johnston Press|access-date=5 January 2014|date=17 December 2003}}</ref> In June 2004, after failing to fully recover from the injury, Prescott announced his retirement at the age of 30.

==Personal life==
In September 2006, Prescott was diagnosed with [[pseudomyxoma peritonei]], a rare form of cancer, and was told that he would not see his two children grow up; he was given months to live. He underwent an emergency operation in [[Basingstoke]] Hospital and a tumour was removed from his stomach. In February 2007, a charity boxing event, featuring a bout between [[Stuart Fielden]] and [[Lee Radford]], helped raise more than £50,000 in aid of Prescott.<ref>{{cite web|title=Radford wins £50,000 charity bout|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6326943.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=8 March 2014|date=3 February 2007}}</ref> In 2013 three weeks before his death he allowed for an experimental surgery under which he had five transplants during 32 hours of operations in an attempt to advance research and help others.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2015-09-14 |title=Steve Prescott: Dying rugby league star had surgery to help save others |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-34243510 |access-date=2024-04-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Steve Prescott Foundation===
In August 2007, Prescott set up the Steve Prescott Foundation, which aimed to raise funds for two organisations: [[Christie Hospital]], a leading cancer treatment centre in Europe, and Try Assist, the [[Rugby Football League]]'s benevolent fund. To raise funds, Prescott went to organise a number of charity boxing tournaments and rugby league games, with a number of Prescott's former teammates taking part. He also took part in a series of challenges, including running in the [[London Marathon]], and cycling from [[Land's End]] to [[John O'Groats]] while completing the [[National Three Peaks Challenge]] en route.<ref name=telegraph />

He was appointed [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in the 2010 New Year Honours for services to rugby league and charity.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=59282|date=31 December 2009|page=21 |supp=y}}</ref>

Shortly after Prescott's death in 2013, the foundation had raised almost £500,000.

===Death and legacy===
Steve Prescott died on 9 November 2013,<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/24881113 BBC Sport, "Rugby League star Steve Prescott dies of stomach cancer, aged 39", 9 November 2013]. Retrieved 9 November 2013</ref> more than seven years after his diagnosis with cancer. In February 2014, it was confirmed that Prescott's former clubs, St Helens and Hull, would compete annually for the "Steve Prescott Cup" in tribute to the player.<ref>{{cite web|title=St Helens and Hull FC to compete for Steve Prescott Cup|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-league/26052254|work=BBC Sport|access-date=5 March 2014|date=5 February 2014}}</ref> A petition with over 12,000 signatures was also sent to the [[Rugby Football League]] (RFL), calling for the [[Man of Steel award]] to be renamed in Prescott's honour.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Campbell|first1=James|title='Man of Steel Steve Prescott Award' petition handed into Rugby League HQ in honour of Hull FC legend|url=http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/8216-Man-Steel-Steve-Prescott-Award-8217-petition/story-20657101-detail/story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140929180351/http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/8216-Man-Steel-Steve-Prescott-Award-8217-petition/story-20657101-detail/story.html|archive-date=29 September 2014|website=Hull Daily Mail|access-date=29 September 2014|date=19 February 2014}}</ref> In March 2014, the RFL officially announced that the award would be called the "Steve Prescott Man of Steel" from the 2014 season onwards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Man of Steel award to be re-named in memory of the late Steve Prescott|url=http://www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12210/9197956/man-of-steel-award-to-be-re-named-in-memory-of-the-late-steve-prescott|work=Sky Sports|access-date=29 September 2014|date=6 March 2014}}</ref>  The Saints Way Bridge at Langtree Park was also renamed the Steve Prescott Bridge in tribute to him.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-25753017 BBC Sport, "Bridge in St Helens renamed after player Steve Prescott", 16 January 2014] Retrieved 16 January 2014</ref>
[[File:Steve Prescott bridge 1.jpg|Memorial bridge|thumb|right]]

==Honours==
'''Club'''
* Super League (1): [[Super League I|1996]]
* Challenge Cup (2): [[1996 Challenge Cup|1996]], [[1997 Challenge Cup|1997]]

'''International'''
* European Rugby League Championship: [[1996 European Rugby League Championship|1996]]

'''Individual'''
* [[Rugby League Writers' Association]] Merit Award, 2009<ref name="sthelensreporter">{{cite web |title=Cancer battler Steve Prescott awarded MBE |url=https://www.sthelensreporter.co.uk/news/cancer-battler-steve-prescott-awarded-mbe-1-734892 |website=St Helens Reporter |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626172934/https://www.sthelensreporter.co.uk/news/cancer-battler-steve-prescott-awarded-mbe-1-734892 |archive-date=26 June 2019 |access-date=26 June 2019 |date=31 December 2009}}</ref>
* [[Mike Gregory]] Spirit of Rugby League Award, 2009<ref name="sthelensreporter" />
* Member of the [[Order of the British Empire]] (MBE), 2010<ref name="sthelensreporter" />
* [[Honorary doctorate]] from the [[University of Hull]], 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=Former Hull FC player honoured by university|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-14125205|work=BBC News|access-date=5 January 2014|date=12 July 2011}}</ref>

==Statistics==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|- 
! Season !! Team !! Apps !! Tries !! Goals !! DG !! Points
|-
| [[1993–94 Rugby Football League season|1993–94]]|| rowspan="5"| [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]|| 15|| 3|| 29|| 0|| 70
|-
| [[1994–95 Rugby Football League season|1994–95]]|| 34|| 20|| 5|| 0|| 90
|-
| [[1995–96 Rugby Football League season|1995–96]]|| 21|| 8|| 15|| 0|| 62
|-
| [[Super League I|1996]]|| 27|| 15|| 17|| 0|| 94
|-
| [[Super League II|1997]]|| 20|| 6|| 0|| 0|| 24
|-
| [[Super League III|1998]]|| rowspan="2"| [[Hull F.C.|Hull Sharks]]|| 21|| 8|| 20|| 0|| 72
|-
| [[Super League IV|1999]]|| 19|| 7|| 43|| 2|| 116
|-
| [[Super League V|2000]]|| [[Wakefield Trinity|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats]]|| 25|| 3|| 13|| 0|| 38
|-
| [[Super League VI|2001]]|| rowspan="3"| [[Hull F.C.]]|| 26|| 17|| 55|| 1|| 179
|-
| [[Super League VII|2002]]|| 22|| 6|| 7|| 0|| 38
|-
| [[Super League VIII|2003]]|| 19|| 18|| 72|| 0|| 216
|- 
|colspan="2"| '''Total'''|| '''249'''|| '''111'''|| '''276'''|| '''3'''|| '''999'''
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.saints.org.uk/saints/player.php?num=16189 Profile at saints.org.uk]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20001216083500/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport/hi/english/static/in_depth/rugby_league/2000/world_cup/team_profiles/ireland.stm Ireland 2000 RLWC squad]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929090848/http://www.slstats.org/p166/Steve%20Prescott.html Statistics at slstats.org]
* [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/2999879/Super-League-Team-by-team-guide.html 2001 Super League Team-by-team guide]

{{St. Helens - 1996 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{St. Helens - 1997 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{Great Britain squad – 1996 Tour}}
{{Ireland squad 2000 Rugby League World Cup}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prescott, Steve}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:2013 deaths]]
[[Category:Deaths from stomach cancer in England]]
[[Category:England national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:English people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:English rugby league players]]
[[Category:Great Britain under-21 national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Hull F.C. players]]
[[Category:Ireland national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Lancashire rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Rugby league fullbacks]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from St Helens, Merseyside]]
[[Category:St Helens R.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Wakefield Trinity players]]