Rugby League Hall of Famer Alex Murphy OBE has provided his backing for Kevin Sinfield to be named the 2015 BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Sunday night in Belfast.
Murphy, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988, says that Sinfield deserves the coveted prize having made a huge mark on the game with the number of trophies he’s claimed.
“It’s absolutely superb that Kevin’s in the running for this award,” he said. “It’s a great achievement just to be nominated let alone win it.
“What he’s done for for the game and his club is magnificent. He has all the skills a Rugby League player needs and he’s a thoroughly professional person both on and off the field.
“For me he deserves to win it purely on merit. He’s led Leeds to many major honours through the incredible influence he has on the team. He’s the perfect professional.”
Sinfield became the first-ever Rugby League player to be nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year since the competition began in 1954.
Murphy, who captained three different clubs to Challenge Cup glory, is pleased to see Rugby League featuring at the ceremony through Sinfield’s nomination.
“It’s great for the game as well as Kevin to be amongst the nominations for Sports Personality of the Year. There’s a huge opportunity to push the sport out there even more if people vote for him.”
Rugby League fans have been urged to unite and support Kevin Sinfield by voting for him to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015.
Voting for BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015 on Sunday December 20 will be available over the phone (numbers will be provided on the night of the awards ceremony) and for free on www.bbc.co.uk/spoty.
In order to vote online, you will need to be registered with the BBC sign in system, BBC iD, by visiting
ssl.bbc.co.uk/id/register
If you have already registered with BBC iD, then you only need to sign in on the day of the awards to cast your vote.