JACK SINFIELD added to the Wakefield Trinity fairytale by following in his father’s footsteps in becoming a Grand Final winner, contributing to Wakefield’s 23-10 victory by landing a field-goal in the latter stages of the first half to give Trinity a decisive 19-0 lead ahead at half-time.
And he did it in front of his father, after Sir Kevin delivered the match ball at the culmination of his latest fundraising series of runs to raise money for motor neurone disease (MND) charities.
Sir Kevin has spent the seven days leading up to the Grand Final following a route that took him to the home of each of the English Super League clubs.
And he took to the pitch – to a tumultuous reaction from the 71,728 sell-out crowd at the famous Manchester stadium – to deliver the ball ahead of kick-off on Saturday, handing it to the match referee Liam Moore.
But on Saturday evening it was Jack’s turn to occupy the spotlight, as he started the game at halfback for Trinity.
“I’ve dreamt of him watching me at Old Trafford ever since I can remember,” said Jack.
Kevin won the Grand Final seven times with Leeds, each alongside his late friend Rob Burrow, whose MND diagnosis in 2019 led to the inspiring fundraising campaign, which has so far raised around £13 million.
The first of those Old Trafford triumphs was against Bradford in 2004, just weeks after the birth of Jack, who said: “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid.
“After seeing my dad win Grand Finals, I’ve always dreamt of him watching me win one, and to achieve it is unbelievable.
“We are a very close family, and I spoke to him soon after he finished each run. It was a tough ask, but I knew he’d smash it.
“I am proud he has helped raise so much money and inspired so many people, and he inspires me every day.”
On the Trinity performance, Jack added: “We knew that after winning at Wigan (in the semi-finals), we had to refocus and go again.
“Last week seemed like a long week, but we got the build-up right and we got the job done.
“To be Super League champions feels fantastic, and to be a part of a team like this really is something special.”
