Leeds Rugby Foundation held a dinner celebrating the heritage of the Rugby League World Cup at Headingley Carnegie Stadium last night which saw legends of past World Cup’s come together for one unique night.
Gordon Brown and Don Robinson, who appeared in the first World Cup on 1954, were present along with Hall of Fame members Billy Boston MBE, Alex Murphy OBE, Roger Milward MBE, Lewis Jones and Garry Schofield OBE along with Australians Ron Coote, Bob McCarthy, Tom Raudonikis, Andrew Johns and many more.
In total, the audience included 14 previous World Cup winners.
The evening started with a Heritage Exhibition, put together by Leeds Rugby Foundation Heritage Committee before the formal evening commenced.
There was a Q and A with a number of the RLWC legends, before action of the many World Cup’s over past years was shown, culminating in cheers for tries scored by personnel present on the night, some 50 years later.
A silent auction for limited edition England RLWC shirts signed by many of the legends present also were a hit with the guests.
The evening was hosted by Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington and Trustee of Leeds Rugby Foundation, who commented:
"It truly was a special night at Headingley Carnegie. Not only were there so many Rugby League legends in the same room, but it was great to have many Leeds Rugby Foundation partners as well as both Australian and Kiwi fans enjoying a memorable Rugby League night.”
Proceeds of £5000 from the night will support Leeds Rugby Foundation’s Rugby League Development Plan for Leeds.