Ex-Leeds Rhinos scout who discovered Rob Burrow, Danny McGuire, Kevin Sinfield and others passes away

Former chief scout Bob Pickles, who was responsible for signing many of Leeds Rhinos’ golden generation, has died, aged 80.

A former player with Hunslet, Keighley and New Hunslet, Pickles was brought to Leeds by then-coach Doug Laughton in the 1980s and signed hundreds of talented youngsters before retiring during the Covid pandemic.

Club legends Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow, Danny McGuire, Ryan Hall and Chev Walker, along with current captain Ash Handley, are among those spotted by Pickles.

He remained a regular at Leeds Rhinos games at AMT Headingley and took part in tributes to Burrow following the scrum-half’s death last June.

Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington hailed him as a “real rugby league man”.

He said: “He gave terrific service to Leeds Rhinos over such a long period, I think he was instrumental in the Colts league getting up and running many years ago, he presided over the Rhinos academy, was chief scout and was instrumental in bringing a lot of good-quality players to the club, people like Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow, Danny McGuire and many others.

“Not only did he bring them to the club, he almost father-figured them as well; he helped them become adults. He was well-connected, had an astute mind and understood the rugby league game and rugby league players. He was a member of the Taverners’ Club for 10 years and will be sadly missed.”