In the latest of our Hull FC Rugby League Icons features, Club Historian Bill Dalton looks back at the career and legacy of former Hull FC full-back Steve Prescott MBE.
Steve Prescott was born on Boxing Day, December 1973, in St Helens. He signed for his hometown club in 1992, making his first-team debut the following year against Leigh, playing on the wing and also deputising at full-back in place of Dave Lyon.
At just 19, Steve went on to make a total of 15 appearances for St Helens and established himself as a promising kicker.
He originally played on the wing but moved to full-back the following season, when his career as a number one sky-rocketed.
Steve was Saints’ star-man in the silverware-clinching clash with Sheffield Eagles. He went over to score four tries, securing the club’s first league championship in 21 years.
Two early tries in the 1996 Challenge Cup Final from him helped see off Bradford Bulls before he played a part in the repeat final of 1997 against the West Yorkshire side, which Saints won again.
Prescott was snapped up by Hull FC in 1998 as the club made their debut in Super League. He made his Black & White debut against Whitehaven before opening his Hull try-scoring account in the following round against Ellenborough Raves in the Challenge Cup.
He moved on to Wakefield Trinity in 2000,nit their own financial problems opened the door for a return to the Black & Whites.
His second stint at Hull, which began in 2001, was the most successful period of his career, were Prescott scored more points than he ever had before.
His club career came to an end in 2003, which began with a hat-trick against former club Wakefield in Round One.
The reverse fixture proved to be his last for the Black & Whites, but he would go out with a bang scoring two tries and kicking six goals.
After 19 games, Prescott racked up an impressive 216 points and ended the 2003 season as Hull’s highest try-scorer with 18.
His career would be cut short by a knee injury sustained while representing Lancashire – he would agonizingly miss out on reaching 1000 career points, finishing on 999.
Prescott was just as inspirational off the pitch as he was on it. After being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2006, he set up the Steve Prescott Foundation the following year. His hard work, bravery and dedication warrented him an MBE in 2010 for his services to Rugby League and charity.
The Foundation raises money for several causes, and shortly after his untimely passing in 2013, he had rasied just under £500,000.
His legacy lives on today with the Man of Steel Award beinf renamed the Steve Prescott Man of Steel Award, while Hull and Saints battle it out for the Steve Prescott Cup every year.
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