Famous shirt makes emotional return to Headingley this Sunday

Leeds Rugby League fans out on the streets of Leeds this Sunday for the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon should keep an eye out for a famous piece of the club's history playing its own special part in the day. 

Ben Sanderson is the son of Leeds RL player Sammy Sanderson, heritage number 1086, who played for Leeds in the 1970s. Ben will be running the marathon wearing his dad's 1978 Challenge Cup Final shirt, fittingly given who the marathon is on honour of, with the number 7 on the back. 

John ‘Sammy’ Sanderson came through the Normanton Juniors and signed for Halifax, making his debut as a substitute for the Thrum Hallers in the 1972 John Players Final against Wakefield Trinity. He eventually took over the scrum half berth from Gordan Baker, to give some scintillating displays. A transfer to Trinity threw him into competition for a half back place with such as Dave Topliss, Mike Lampkowski and Hudson. A move to Leeds for £3,000 in 1977 was more than welcome for Sammy. When Kevin Dick was injured he took the scrum half position without difficulty and achieved his ambition of a Wembley Final appearance in the classic 1978 Leeds v St Helens clash. His fine supporting play and tackling ability made him into one of the most under-rated half backs around. His form in Leeds’ 1979 Premiership success was outstanding in both half back roles.

Ben is raising money for Alzheimer's Society. Last year his mum Carol passed away from dementia and now his dad, Sammy, is living with the same cruel disease. That’s why Ben, at nearly 50 and having never run a marathon — or even a half marathon — before, is taking on the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon.

Ben told us, "Losing my mum, Carol, last year was incredibly hard. Watching someone you love slowly fade away is something I wouldn’t wish on any family. Sadly, the journey isn’t over for us — my dad, Sammy, is now also living with the disease.

"Seeing first-hand the impact dementia has on people and their families is why I wanted to do something that could help others going through the same thing. The Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon felt like the perfect way to do it. It’s about resilience, courage and community — values that really resonate with me and with our family’s love of Rugby League.

"To make it even more meaningful, I’ll be running every mile in my dad Sammy’s number 7 Rugby League shirt that he wore in the 1978 Challenge Cup Final. It’s a proper old-school shirt — thick, heavy and more like a jumper than modern running gear — so it will definitely make the miles even tougher. But wearing it will remind me exactly why I’m doing this. Training for this marathon won’t be easy, but every mile will be for Carol, for Sammy, and for the millions of families affected by dementia," adeed Ben.

You can sponsor Ben by clicking here and make sure to keep an eye out for him on the course with that incredible shirt on and doing his mum and dad proud.