Super League stars on field at Premier League game

Widnes forward Hep Cahill spent some time on the pitch at Newcastle United’s Premier League fixture against West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.

The New Zealander was not there to show off his soccer skills, however, but to help promote his club’s backing of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

He escorted Sir Bobby’s widow, Lady Elsie Robson, on to the pitch at St James’ Park, in front of a crowd of 48,000, alongside Hull KR‘s Tyrone McCarthy and Wakefield’s Joe Arundel.

The trio of Super League stars were there to help promote Magic Weekend too, and Cahill was wearing the special kit that Widnes will be sporting for the occasion.

The kit uses Newcastle United’s famous black and white stripe design, and all profits from the sale of replicas of the shirt will go towards the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which works for the benefit of cancer patients across the North of England.

The Super League players were also in attendance at a promotional event in Newcastle city centre, and at North East club Cramlington Rockets, over the course of the weekend.

“This was my first visit to Newcastle and I had such a good time,” said Cahill.

“Everyone was so friendly. To have the chance to meet Lady Elsie Robson given our initiative for the foundation set up by her late husband was amazing. It was brilliant to go out onto the pitch with her.

“To witness the reception the football fans gave her was unreal and to stand on the pitch where we’ll all play at Magic Weekend was fantastic.

“The fans in Newcastle are so passionate so it will be brilliant to have so many local people in the stands when we play on May 30.

“I believe ticket sales are going really well up there.  It will be even better if the local people get behind our initiative and wear our black and white colours for Sir Bobby Robson.”