Ex-Leeds Rhinos star Barrie McDermott pays emotional tribute after death of 'fearless campaigner' Geoff Burrow
An emotional tribute has been paid to the late Geoff Burrow by a former Leeds Rhinos teammate of his son Rob Burrow.
Geoff’s death was announced today (Monday) after a period of illness, less than two years after Rob passed away following a battle with motor neurone disease. Geoff, a lifelong Leeds fan, became a nationally-known campaigner for MND causes after Rob was diagnosed in 2019.
Barrie McDermott played alongside Rob Burrow for Leeds from 2001-2005, including in Rhinos’ first Super League Grand Final win 22 years ago. Now a pundit on Sky Sports’ rugby league coverage, McDermott took part in tributes to Rob at Leeds’ first home game following his death, in June 2024, interviewing Geoff on the pitch before the match.
McDermott said: “It’s such sad news. I knew he hadn’t been well, but it makes you reflect. I spent a lot of time with Geoff, [wife] Irene and Rob in their front room, talking about sport and rugby and Rob.
“Geoff was a fearless campaigner who was always at his happiest when he was on a crusade for something or somebody. His work in the GMB union was where I first met him and Geoff liked to fight somebody’s corner, a lot like Rob. That must have been where Rob got it from.”
He added: “Geoff’s tragic last five or six years when Rob was on his MND journey really took it out of him, I imagine, both in terms of his physical health and his mental and emotional health.
“I like to think Geoff’s sat at the side of Rob in those two chairs they used to sit in watching tv, watching sport and having a really good debate, as they often did.”
Of Geoff’s campaigning, McDermott said: “He was always at the front when it came time to talk about those people without voices. People will be familiar with Geoff as Rob Burrow’s dad, but they won’t know he spent the bulk of his adult life as a union man, for the GMB union.
“Very often he’d be at the side of people who were going to different tribunals. He spent a lot of time with rugby league players, if they had a dispute he’d be at their side, supporting and advising them. He gave a lot of time to rugby league players in general.”
Geoff’s death came a day after Rhinos celebrated Super League’s 30th anniversary by beating Warrington Wolves 26-22 at Headingley. During half-time in that game Rob Burrow was announced as scrum-half in a Sky Sports vote among fans for the competition’s greatest-ever 13.
“There would have been nobody prouder than Geoff when the number seven was announced,” McDermott said. “He would have been glowing and gleaming at the exploits of his son.
“They are such a strong family and they have had enough tragedy of late, but I am sure the rugby league family will get behind them and give them the love and support they need in this very sad time.”