Hull KR have un-retired one of the club’s most famous shirt numbers and handed it to reigning Man of Steel Mikey Lewis for the 2025 season.
The 2024 campaign saw Lewis handed the number seven shirt for the first time with playing partner Tyrone May taking 27, however, the Man of Steel has now been handed an even more prestigious shirt for the upcoming campaign.
Hull KR have announced that they will un-retire the iconic number six shirt, made famous by club legend Roger Millward, and that it will be worn by Mikey Lewis.
Millward is widely regarded as the club’s greatest-ever player and is a legend of the sport. Having joined the club in 1966, he played until 1980 before then coaching the Robins for a further 11 years.
Those 25 years of service saw him take in almost 800 games as a player and coach, earning an MBE for services to rugby league and an induction to the sport’s Hall of Fame in 2000.
Upon his passing in 2016, Hull KR made the decision to retire the number six, a decision that has now been reversed with the blessing of his family.
Hull KR hand Mikey Lewis an iconic shirt number
Behind the Scenes 🎬
When Mikey Lewis met Carol Millward ❤️#UpTheRobins 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/tCGN1OCzZV
— Hull KR (@hullkrofficial) December 14, 2024
It’s a huge decision by the club but one that has ultimately been done with both the blessing of Roger Millward’s family and the recognition for what a talismanic figure Mikey Lewis has become at Craven Park.
His 2024 campaign was his best yet with the 23-year-old scoring 19 tries and registering 24 assists, more try contributions than any other player in Super League making him a worthy winner of the Man of Steel award.
Lewis has now passed the 100-game milestone for Hull KR and earned a role in Shaun Wane’s England side, showcasing his versatility by playing hooker in the series against Samoa.
He’s now reacted to the honour of wearing the number six, stating: “To wear that shirt next year will be very special, and emotional for a lot of people, because that’s how many hearts Roger Millward touched in a Hull KR shirt.
“I can’t wait to run out in that first game at Sewell Group Craven Park and to have that number on the back of my shirt with my name on it, in the memory of Roger, will be really special. To make that number 6 proud and make it my own.”
Roger Millward’s wife, Carol Millward paid tribute to Mikey Lewis donning the famous Number 6 shirt from next season: “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.”
Hull KR are the current holders of the Roger Millward trophy, contested between the Robins and Castleford Tigers, Millward’s first club. The two teams will meet in the first game of the Super League season at Craven Park in 2025.
