Fans split as Hull KR hand Mikey Lewis ‘retired’ shirt number

Hull KR have ‘un-retired’ a shirt number and awarded it to Mikey Lewis with fans split in opinion on the decision.

Lewis, the 2024 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel award winner, has been handed the number six for the 2025 Super League season with Hull KR recently confirming the news.

The number six shirt had previously been retired after the passing of the Robins’ greatest-ever player Roger Millward, who died in 2016.

Since then, the shirt has not been worn but with the blessing of Millward’s family, it will be from the 2025 season onwards with Mikey Lewis the first to claim it.

Millward represented the club as a player and then coach for a quarter of a century, being involved in almost 800 games. As a player, he was among the best to ever grace the pitch at Craven Park and was part of the trophy-winning teams in the early 1980s.

The decision to bring the shirt number out of retirement and hand it to Lewis, Hull KR’s greatest player in recent memory, has now split the opinion of fans – despite the decision coming with the blessing of Millward’s family.

Fans react as Hull KR hand Mikey Lewis the number six

Hull KR are delighted to announce the club’s famous number 6 shirt will be worn by reigning Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel, Mikey Lewis for the 2025 Betfred Super League Season ⭐️🪄

Read here 👉 https://t.co/eg6pgXZvQa#UpTheRobins🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ClEHW19nyc

— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) December 13, 2024

When Hull KR confirmed the decision, Carol Millward, Roger’s wife, said: “It’s quite emotional. Watching Mikey play reminds me very much of Roger’s style of play. I think he’s worthy of it and I’m happy for it to be passed on. I’m sure Roger would be proud to see him wear it.”

Some fans agree that it’s a wonderful honour for the England international to carry that legacy of the number six going forward.

On Facebook, in response to Serious About Rugby League’s initial report, Carl Varley was one of those in support.

He said: “Best player in Super League by a mile which is why he is the Man of Steel. Deserves it.”

Others found it more contentious. Keiran Moses said: “Strange decision but if anyone has the self-belief to wear the number, it’s Lewis.”

Over on the Hull KR X account, where the news was first reported, Robins fans were also split in their opinion.

@DaveHKR said: “Wow! Huge boots to fill but this kid can do it and if the Millward family endorse it then who are we to disagree. Well deserved, Mikey.”

@DaveOverton agreed: “Glad it’s back and done so in the right way.”

Another X user, @YorkshireTeaFC, said: “Really don’t know how I feel about this.”

The Robin Pod, an independent podcast, noted some of the confusion but referenced the ringing endorsement from Carol Millward, posting: “A wonderful move IMHO but I can understand why for some this is deemed unnecessary.

“The fact it’s been announced with such a ringing endorsement from the family of the later Roger Millward though tells me everything I need to know!”

The decision also brought up a wider conversation about the act of retiring numbers in sports, particularly one where numbers are so closely correlated and indicative of positions.

@Ad_Iudicium_ said: “Excellent decision – retiring a number for a sport like League just doesn’t work as well as in American sports – nice tribute, time to move on.”

As many have referenced, the endorsement from the family of the late great Roger Millward is effectively all that matters in the discussion. You can witness the conversation between Mikey Lewis and Carol Millward here.