| Bob Evans Award |
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The Bob Evans award was first awarded in 2005 to recognise individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to rugby league in the South of England. The award is given in memory of Bob Evans, a hugely popular devotee of rugby league who sadly passed away on the eve of the Broncos Challenge Cup Final appearance in May 1999, at the age of 47. Bob began watching rugby league at Fulham in 1980 and quickly developed a passion for the game. In 1983, with Mike Geen he launched the Rugby League Diary, produced to keep southern based fans in touch with the game. Along with other volunteers, Bob helped Fulham in a number of capacities in the 1980s, including match manager, amateur liaison officer and team administrator, and even got involved in the restoration of the Polytechnic Stadium at Chiswick, hiring a JCB for the weekend to help dig out the pathway outside the ground. Bob moved to the North West in 1987, where he became heavily involved with Swinton Lions, an association that continued long after his return to London in 1989, where he continued to give his time to rugby league in varied ways. Its hard to do justice in such a short piece to the warmth felt by many towards Bob and the sadness felt after his passing. Former Fulham coach Roy Lester sums up the feelings of many Bob was a lovely man, really nice. He always had time for you and would always help out. Past winners of the Bob Evans Award are:
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