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History of St Helens R.F.C.

January 01, 1970

St Helens Rugby Football Club was established in 1873 as St Helens Football Club.[citation needed] They are a founder member of the Northern Rugby Football Union, after the Great Schism of 1895. They played in the first ever Challenge Cup Final in 1897 and have since been winners of the competition on 12 occasions. St Helens have played in the premier competition of rugby league, the Super League for each of its 14 seasons to date and have won the title on 5 occasions.

Early years (1873—1945) edit

 
Saints are pictured in the first ever Challenge Cup Final, 1897: Batley (left) vs St Helens (right)

St Helens are one of the best members of the Rugby Football League.[1] Founded on 19 November 1873 at the Fleece Hotel by William Douglas Herman,[2] they played their first ever match on 24 January 1874 against Liverpool Royal Infirmary.[3] The club moved from the St Helens Cricket Club Dentons Green Ground in 1890 where they had shared with St Helens Recs when neither were members of the Northern Rugby Football Union.[2] They defeated Manchester Rangers in the first match played at Knowsley Road. In 1895 the club were one of 22 clubs that resigned from the Rugby Football Union and established the Northern Union.[1] The first match of the new code was an 8–3 win at home to Rochdale Hornets before 3,000 spectators, Bob Doherty scoring St Helens' first try.[4] They played in a vertically striped blue and white jersey—a stark contrast to the well known broad red band which would become the kit for the club later. The club reverted to this kit for one season during the rugby league centenary season in 1995.

The Rugby League Challenge Cup was launched in 1897 and it was St Helens who contested its first final with Batley, at Headingley, Leeds. The "Gallant Youths" of Batley emerged victorious 10–3,[5][6] with Dave "Red" Traynor scoring the lone St Helens' try.[7]

St Helens 1897 Challenge Cup Final team
8 Joe Thompson (PR) 9 William Winstanley (HK) 10 Steven Rimmer (PR)
11 Tom Winstanley (SR) 12 Tom Reynolds (SR)
14 Billy Briers (FL) 13 Peter Dale (LF) 15 Bill Whiteley (FL)
7 Freddie Little (SH)
6 Richard O'Hara (SO)
4 Jim Barnes (CE)
3 David Traynor (CE)
5 Billy Jacques (WG) 2 Bob Doherty (WG)
1 Tom Foulkes (FB)

Between 1887 and 1891, St Helens weren't successful, even generally considered a mid—table side.[8][9][10] They finished second to bottom in the 1900—01 Lancashire League season, meaning they did not qualify to compete in the national league the year later.[11] In the 1901–02 season, however, they did finish third in the Lancashire league.[12] In 1902–03, the combined Lancashire and Yorkshire leagues saw St Helens enter for the first time. St Helens were placed in Division 1 but finished next to bottom and suffered relegation.[13] Promotion was gained at the 1st attempt,[14] only for another poor year to see them finish once again in a relegation position.[15] However the two Divisions became one League to save the club from a 2nd relegation.[16] The Champion fortunes that St Helens fans' greet today were certainly not apparent in this period, with the club finishing fourth to bottom in 1907,[17] third to bottom in 1908,[18] and consistently mid—table between 1909 and 1913.[19][20][21][22][23]

On 14 June 1913, St Helens Recs joined the Northern Union after defecting from rugby union and association football. The Recs were based individually at the City Road ground, after previously sharing with St Helens, before their move to Knowsley Road, when neither played rugby league. The Recs played their first game on 6 September 1913. St Helens now had two professional rugby league teams. In both sides first year in co—existence, St Helens finished yet again in a disappointing low mid—table finish.[24]

During the First World War, St Helens struggled to compete and failed to complete the full fixture list of the Emergency War League on two occasions,[25][26][27] with the club finishing mid—table in the first year of the war,[28] as well as being beaten by 37 points to 3 by Huddersfield in that year's Challenge Cup Final.[29] The aftermath of the war was still taking its toll on national sport, not merely the clubs' ability to compete and complete fixtures, and in a shortened season, St Helens played only nine times in another trophyless season in 1918–1919.[30] The club's lack of success and disappointing league finishes continued for another seven seasons.[31][32][33][34][35][36][37]

The club defeated town rivals the Recs in the Lancashire County Cup Final by 10 points to 2 in the 1926–27 season.[38] The season after, they were trophyless, finishing 10th in a 28—team league.[39] One year after the Challenge Cup's début at Wembley, St Helens reached the final there where they were defeated by 10 points to 3 by Widnes in 1930.[5][40] They won their first ever National Championship in the 1931–32 season,[41] defeating Huddersfield 9–5 in the final.[42] This was the same season that they won their second Lancashire League,[43] the first coming in the 1929–30 season.[44] They lost the 1933 Lancashire Cup Final to Warrington,[45] whilst finishing in no competitive position in the league once more.[46] St Helens reached no finals or achieved any more honours during the remainder of the 1930s.[47] Also, what appeared to be building as something of an inter—town derby between the two St Helens clubs was struck down as St Helens Recs played their last game on 29 April 1939, as, due to the economic depression, it was not possible for the town to sustain two teams.[48]

Like during the First World War, the club could not enjoy having a full—time squad during World War II and struggled to compete. They did not compete in the National Championship until a 17 team Emergency War League was formed in the 1941–42 season,[49] and did not win any regional honours. They finished bottom of the EWL in seasons 1942—43[50] and 1943—44[51] and next-to-bottom in 1944–45.[52]

Post war and the successful 1960s (1945—1996) edit

The club's fortunes that had seen them be successful so rarely the decade previous did not change in the 1940s. After the commitments of the Second World War, St Helens still found it hard to compete, and the trend of finishing as a mid—table side was once more apparent.[53][54][55][56][57] The first two years of the 1950s, the last two years of Peter Lyons' reign, also ended trophyless.[58][59]

The arrival of Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1952[60] heralded a successful era for St Helens, and helped to establish the club as a respected force in British and eventually world rugby league. In his seven-year tenure at the club, Sullivan took them to their first victory in the Challenge Cup Final (against Halifax in 1956),[5][61] and two National Championships (in 1952—53[62] and 1958—59[63]).

St Helens 1956 Challenge Cup winning team
8 Alan Prescott (PR) 9 Len McIntyre (HK) 10 Nat Silcock (PR)
11 George Parsons (SR) 12 Roy Robinson (SR)
13 Vince Karalius (LF)
7 Austin Rhodes (SH)
6 Bill Finnan (SO)
4 Brian Howard (CE)
3 Duggie Greenall (CE)
5 Frank Carlton (WG) 2 Steve Llewellyn (WG)
1 Glyn Moses (FB)

This was in addition to a brace of Lancashire Cups obtained in seasons 1953—54[64] and 1960–61,[65] as well as three Lancashire Leagues, in 1952—53,[66] 1956—57[67] and 1958—59.[68] On Saturday 24 November 1956, St Helens inflicted a touring Australia its biggest ever defeat with a 44–2 win.[69] Ex—St Helens captain and prop-forward Alan Prescott took over from Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1959.[60]

 
The now synonymous red "vee" of St Helens—still used today—was first seen in the 1961 Challenge Cup Final.

Perhaps the golden era of the club came in the 1960s, as well as more lately in the Super League era. With a galaxy of stars including Tom van Vollenhoven, Alex Murphy, Dick Huddart and Vince Karalius, the 1960s was a decade of great success for the Saints. In Prescott's first season as coach he lifted the Lancashire League in the 1959–60 season.[70] During this decade, the recognisable 'red vee' strip first appeared in 1961 for the final against Wigan. St Helens won this epic 12–6,[5][71] and the kit has since become synonymous with the club. They won the Lancashire Cup in the 1961–62 season, with a 25—9 success over Swinton seeing yet more silverware com St Helens' way under the management of Prescott.[72] After his departure in 1962, Stan McCormick led the club to retaining the Lancashire Cup in his first year,[73] again beating Swinton; and St Helens made it a quadruplet of Lancashire Cup successes with wins against Leigh in 1964,[74] and once more Swinton in 1965, this time under coach Joe Coan.[75] The 1965 New Zealand tourists appeared at Knowsley Road on Wednesday 15 September. Saints inflicted a 28–7 defeat on their visitors,[76] their biggest loss of the tour. A League[77] and Cup[5][78] double was achieved under Coan in the 1965–66 season, whilst they lost the Floodlit Trophy final against Castleford.[79] St Helens were beaten by Wakefield Trinity in the 1967 Rugby Football League Championship Final at Station Road, Swinton on 10 May 1967 by 20 points to 9 in a replay,[80] after a 7–7 draw 4 days earlier.[81] This would be Coan's last year in charge at St Helens after a highly successful period as boss. He was replaced by Cliff Evans.

Evans' first full season in charge at the club saw him win the club's eighth Lancashire Cup in 1968; winning 13–10 against Warrington after a replay.[82] St Helens retained the Lancashire Cup the year later,[83] whilst also winning the Lancashire League for being the highest placed Lancashire side in the National standings,[84] and they also reached the final of the Floodlit Trophy that season, where they were beaten 7—4 by Wigan.[85] The 1969–70 season would be the year that Evans would leave his post, but not without winning a National Championship, beating Leeds in the final after finishing third overall.[86]

The 1970s were also seen as a successful spell for St Helens, as they reached three Challenge Cup finals in the period. John Challinor took over from Cliff Evans in 1970, and in his first season, he won the Championship,[87][88] and reached two finals, the Lancashire Cup and Floodlit Trophy, losing both.[89][90] In this season, a European Championship—not dissimilar to today's World Club Challenge—was contested between St Helens and French champions St Gaudens. Over a two—legged game, St Helens won 92–11 on aggregate.[91][92] In their first Challenge Cup Final of the 1970s, they defeated Leeds in 1972 16–13,[5][93] in addition to winning their first Floodlit Trophy, after losing out in the final three times before, with an 8–2 win over Rochdale.[94] No success was achieved in seasons 1972—73 and 1973–74, with St Helens finishing third and second in the respective years.[95][96] This could be a possible reason for Challinor's replacement with Eric Ashton as head coach.[60] In Ashton's first season in charge, St Helens won the Championship,[97] and contested the inaugural Premiership final, losing 26–11 to Leeds.[98] They repeated their first Challenge Cup success of the 1970s three years after the first against Widnes in 1976 where they were victorious by 20–5 in the famous 'Dads Army' final.[5][99] They also won the Premiership against Salford,[100] and the Floodlit Trophy against Dewsbury in a successful season.[101] In the same year, St Helens lost to Eastern Suburbs in an unofficial World Club Challenge Final by 25 points to 2.[102] The club won the Premiership in 1977,[103] but, on 13 December 1977, Saints lost 26–11 to Hull Kingston Rovers in the final of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy.[104] In 1978 Leeds avenged their 1972 loss against St Helens, emerging winners by 14–12.[5][105] St Helens lost the Floodlit Trophy in the 1978–79 season, going down to Widnes.[106] The 1979–80 season was unsuccessful, with St Helens finishing mid—table.[107] Eric Ashton left the club after this disappointing year.[60]

Club legend and Welsh international Kel Coslett took over as coach in June 1980.[60][108] However, his spell as coach was not nearly as successful as his spell as a player, and St Helens won nothing whilst under Coslett's command, finishing mid—table in both seasons.[109][110] He held the post for two years before handing over to Billy Benyon.[60][111] Not in—keeping with several of his predecessors, Benyon did not enjoy any success in his maiden season as St Helens coach; losing the Lancashire Cup final of that year to Warrington.[112] Nothing was won in the 1983–84 season,[113] but Saints won back the Lancashire Cup, with a 26–18 win at Wigan in the 1984–85 season.[114] They also won the Premiership in the same season with a 36–16 victory over defending champions Hull Kingston Rovers.[115] In Benyon's last season as coach, 1985–86, nothing was won.[116]

The arrival of Alex Murphy as coach in 1986[60][117] produced some colourful displays from a team that was widely regarded as an entertaining team to watch, but seemed to be constant runners—up. This was illustrated by the shock defeat by Halifax in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley 19–18 in 1987.[118] Success was achieved in 1988 when St Helens lifted their one and only John Player Trophy with a thrilling 15–14 victory over Leeds in January 1988, at Central Park, Wigan.[119] Neil Holding with the crucial, match—winning drop—goal. They, however, lost to Widnes in the Premiership Final at Old Trafford at the end of the season, further showing this teams ability to get to finals and not be able to compete on the best stage.[120] Nothing was achieved in the next season,[121] and Murphy stood down as coach.

Murphy was succeeded by Mike McClennan in February 1990.[60] In his first season, McClennan took St Helens to the 1991 Challenge Cup Final, where they were defeated by 13 points to 8 by Wigan.[122] They won the Lancashire Cup, in the 1991–92 season, beating Rochdale Hornets.[123] They also lost the Premiership Final that season, losing to Wigan.[124] In 1993 the club avenged their defeat by Wigan the season previous to win the Premiership,[125] in the same season that they won the Charity Shield,[126] and lost the Lancashire Cup final.[127] McClennan was head coach until December 1993, when Eric Hughes succeeded him as head coach in 1994.[60] Under Hughes, St Helens only reached the one, Regal Trophy Final, where they lost to Wigan in 1996 by 25 to 16.[128] They finished fourth in both of Hughes' seasons in charge.[129][130] The lack of trophies in the St Helens cabinet, after the club had suddenly become so accustomed to success, would need to change in the "new" brand Super League that formed in 1996; hence Hughes' departure in 1996 and replacement with Australian Shaun McRae.[60]

Summer era edit

Following on from their most constant ambition for successes, first experienced really in the sixties, Saints became one of the most successful side of the summer era. Since the inception of Super League in 1996, they have won the title on five occasions, and have added seven Challenge Cups to their five previous successes. Indeed, they won the inaugural Super League, albeit by finishing top of the league before the play—off era. St Helens defeated Bradford 8–6 in the 1999 Super League Grand Final, their first Grand Final, with more than 50,000 people witnessing Chris Joynt lift the trophy at Old Trafford.[131] They also won the World Club Challenge in 2001 and 2007, beating Brisbane both times.[132][133]

Late 1990s edit

The success of the Saints in Super League began under the leadership of Shaun McRae in 1996. During his tenure the club won one league title (1996),[134] a year in which he was named Super League's coach of the year, and enjoyed back—to—back successes over Bradford in the Challenge Cup (1996[135] and 1997[136]).1998 proved to be a trophyless year,[137] and Ellery Hanley succeeded McRae in 1999, after the Australian left for new Super League side Gateshead.[60] Hanley led Saints to Grand Final success against Bradford in October of his first year in charge.[131] Hanley was considered by many to be a polarising figure and after several acrimonious disagreements with the St Helens board of directors, he was sacked a month into the following season.[138] Ian Millward was appointed as Hanley's successor as head coach.[60]

2000s edit

Millward's reign and a controversial sacking (2000—2005) edit

 
Saints defeat Wigan in the 2000 Super League Grand Final

Under Millward, St Helens quickly became the most exciting team in the competition, playing expansive, attacking rugby. He saw them soundly beaten in the 2000 World Club Challenge, losing 44–6 to Melbourne,[139] but lead them to retaining their Super League title in 2000 beating Wigan 29–16.[140] They also won the 2001 Challenge Cup Final 13–6 over Bradford,[141] with the final held at Twickenham Stadium for the first time,[142] and the 2001 World Club Challenge, earning a 20–18 win over the Broncos.[132][143] Millward then lead Saints to reclaim the Super League title in the 2002 Grand Final, Sean Long snatching a last minute 19–18 win over the Bradford with a drop—goal.[144] They were hammered in the 2003 World Club Challenge by Sydney by 38 points to 0.[145] In this season, they failed to win a trophy after being knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Leeds at the semi—final stage, and the Super League play—offs by Wigan at the same stage. In 2004 they beat arch—rivals Wigan 32–16 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff in front of a capacity crowd of 73,734 people to win the Challenge Cup,[146] Long gaining his second of an eventual three Lance Todd Trophies.[147]

Millward's reign was not without controversy and his St Helens career ended controversially after he was suspended in May 2005.[148] He was sacked for gross misconduct a week later.[149] Daniel Anderson was appointed as coach,[60] Millward was then made coach of arch rivals Wigan.[150] The St Helens faithful largely saw this sacking as unfair and as a step backwards for the club. However, if these fans could have foreseen what was to follow under Anderson then they would have certainly wanted him hired sooner.

 
Jamie Lyon preparing to kick at goal for St Helens in the 2006 Super League Grand Final

The Anderson era (2005—2009) edit

Daniel Anderson saw his new team become the first team to top the Super League and fail to reach Old Trafford in 2005.[151][152] However, St Helens won the Powergen 2006 Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium, London on Saturday 26 August 2006, beating Huddersfield 42–12.[153] This was their second Challenge Cup victory at Twickenham stadium, the first occasion being in 2001. St Helens scrum-half Sean Long was awarded the Lance Todd trophy for the man—of—the—match performance during the 2006 Challenge Cup Final and in doing so became the first ever player to win a third Lance Todd trophy. These added to the awards he won in 2001 and 2004.[147]

St Helens followed up their Challenge Cup win by claiming the League Leader's Shield,[154] before cementing their reputation as the team of the year by defeating Hull 26 points to 4 in the Super League Grand Final.[155] Once more St Helens confirmed their status as the outstanding team of the summer era. Additionally, Paul Wellens received the Man of Steel Award for the 2006 season.[156]

In December 2006 St Helens were awarded with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Team Award at the Annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year Ceremony. This accolade recognises the best team in any sport within the United Kingdom. At the same ceremony Daniel Anderson was given the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award – this was the first time a rugby league coach had won the award.[157]

After a slow start to the 2007 season, Saints added to their history by beating Brisbane 18–14 to win the 2007 World Club Challenge.[133]

St Helens 2007 World Club Championship winning team
8 Nick Fozzard (PR) 9 James Roby (HK) 10 Jason Cayless (PR)
11 Lee Gilmour (SR) 12 Mike Bennett (SR)
13 Jon Wilkin (LF)
7 Sean Long (SH)
6 Leon Pryce (SO)
4 Willie Talau (CE)
3 Matt Gidley (CE)
5 Francis Meli (WG) 2 Ade Gardner (WG)
1 Paul Wellens (FB)
Substitutes
14 Keiron Cunningham (HK)
15 Bryn Hargreaves (PR)
16 Paul Sculthorpe (LF)
17 James Graham (PR)

In July, they beat Super League rivals, Bradford,[158] to reach the first Challenge Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium.[159] Here, St Helens successfully defended their Challenge Cup by defeating Catalans Dragons 30–8 in the final on 25 August 2007.[160] They were beaten in the Grand Final that year by Leeds by 33 points to 6,[161] despite finishing at the top of the league ladder for the third successive season.[162] James Roby, however, became the second St Helens player, and home—grown talent in two years to win the Man of Steel Award.

Saints success in the Challenge Cup continued in 2008 with a victory at the new Wembley Stadium, this time defeating Hull F.C. 28–16.[163] Paul Wellens received the Lance Todd Trophy after sharing the award with teammate Leon Pryce the year earlier.[147]

They also achieved first place again in the 2008 Super League season – for the 4th year running[164] – winning the League Leaders Shield, and beat Leeds 38-10 for the right to go to Old Trafford to contest the grand final.[165] However, St. Helens were once again defeated by Leeds in the Grand Final, by a margin of 24 to 16, on 4 October 2008.[166] James Graham, on a positive note, made it a hat—trick of ex—Blackbrook Royals to win the Man of Steel Award whilst playing for St Helens. This would be Anderson's last game in charge of the club, as he announced he was to return to Australia and the Parramatta Eels of the NRL. St Helens fans and players alike were saddened to see Anderson leave, after not only upholding the tradition of St Helens exciting brand of rugby, but giving them a defensive and disciplined edge that was never apparent under Ian Millward. His personality and relationship with the fans was an additional reason why St Helens fans were disgruntled in him leaving after four years in charge and why next boss Mick Potter faced a fair amount of criticism in his initial period as boss.

The Potter years (2009—2010) edit

 
St Helens against Widnes Vikings in the pre-season 2010 Karalius Cup

Mick Potter was announced as the successor to Anderson, which received many plaudits from the St Helens fans and the European game as a whole, as the year previous he had led Catalans Dragons to a record—high third—placed finish in the league. On 9 August 2009, St Helens reached a record 9th consecutive Challenge Cup semi—final,[167] where they were beaten by 24 points to 14 by Huddersfield.[168] This prevented Saints from reaching the final at the new Wembley Stadium for a third successive time and from winning the cup for a fourth time running. This defeat naturally came as a shock to the St Helens faithful, after so often in the last 15 years seeing the team reach the pinnacle of this competition and go on to win the cup. It was from here that the criticism began, and questions were raised particularly of his tactics and his activity (or lack of) in the transfer market.

On 3 October 2009, Saints defeated fierce rivals Wigan to book their place at a fourth consecutive Super League Grand Final,[169] only to lose out to Leeds in the final, 18–10, making Leeds the only team to win the grand final three times consecutively. A 20—year—old Kyle Eastmond scored all of Saints' points.[170] A trophyless year for the first time since 2003 was another catalyst to Potter's critics abusing and slating his appointment, with even rumours of rifts within the changing rooms.

2010s edit

2010 was the year that saw Potter surrender to his critics and leave St Helens. Criticisms from club legends like Paul Sculthorpe and Sean Long regarding his personal skills with the fans,[171] as well as the continued fan rejection saw him let his contract run out and, initially, seek a job in the NRL,[172][173][174] but eventually, and perhaps surprisingly, join Bradford on a two—year contract.[175] Names like Royce Simmons,[176] Mal Meninga,[177] and assistant coach Kieron Purtill,[178] were linked with the job for 2011. Simmons was the chosen man for the job, as announced on 22 July 2010.[179][180] The 2010 season would also see hooker and captain Keiron Cunningham retire from the game after 17 years with his one and only club. However, Cunningham would not be leaving without leaving a lasting legacy on the club. A lifelike bronze statue of Cunningham was built and placed on display in the town, before being transported to the club's new stadium upon its construction in 2012.[181][182] He would additionally take up a coaching role with the academy, as well as a strength and conditioning role with the first team.[179] In light of these decisions, neither Cunningham nor Potter halted their personal and the St Helens team quest for success; shown by their 10th successive semi—final appearance in the Challenge Cup.[183] However, Saints failure to perform on the big stage was once more shown, going down in this semi—final by 32–28.[184] Defeating Huddersfield in the qualifying semi—final in the 2010 play-off series by 42–22 not only saw Saints qualify for their fifth Grand Final in five years, but also saw the final ever game to be played at Knowsley Road. Cunningham snatched the final ever try at the famous old ground in typical fashion from dummy—half.[185] However, for the fourth year running, St Helens once more proved flops in the Grand Final. One of the finest finals of the Super League era was anticipated,[186] but the flamboyant Saints that the fans saw so rarely under Potter once more failed to materialise, and, in front of a near sell—out crowd of 71,526, they fell to a 22–10 loss to rivals Wigan.[187] It was not the romantic finish to the Saints careers of Potter, Cunningham or any of the departing members of the squad that many[who?] had hoped for, but nevertheless, a new era was just around the corner, as Simmons' reign began.

A new era begins (2010–present) edit

Australian Royce Simmons took over from compatriot Mick Potter at the end of the 2010 season. His reign began in a positive sense, certainly in the eyes of the Saints faithful in comparison to Potter, and in terms of market activity, with several key personnel departing from and arriving at the club. The club itself also underwent something of a revolution. The 2011 season was the year St Helens left Knowsley Road, lost their long-standing captain and hooker Keiron Cunningham to retirement and re—branded unofficially to Saints RL, as well as welcoming new coach Simmons.

Kit history edit

 
St Helens heritage jersey—first used in 1890, used again in 2010

In their rugby football days and early years as a rugby league club, St Helens wore a vertically stripped blue and white jersey with blue shorts and socks. This kit was reverted to by Saints during their centenary year in 1995. In their initial period at Knowsley Road, St Helens wore a similar jersey, but the stripes were horizontal, and the colours blue and grey. In 2010, the club used this design as a commemorative strip, to celebrate their 110th and final year at the ground. These colours however were dropped in favour of a more traditional to today, red and white design. The kit entailed a thick red horizontal strip, with a white background, and was used until 1961. In the 1961 Challenge Cup final against Wigan, the strip still seen today—the famous red vee—was first utilised.[71]

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January 01, 1970
history, helens, helens, rugby, football, club, established, 1873, helens, football, club, citation, needed, they, founder, member, northern, rugby, football, union, after, great, schism, 1895, they, played, first, ever, challenge, final, 1897, have, since, be. St Helens Rugby Football Club was established in 1873 as St Helens Football Club citation needed They are a founder member of the Northern Rugby Football Union after the Great Schism of 1895 They played in the first ever Challenge Cup Final in 1897 and have since been winners of the competition on 12 occasions St Helens have played in the premier competition of rugby league the Super League for each of its 14 seasons to date and have won the title on 5 occasions Contents 1 Early years 1873 1945 2 Post war and the successful 1960s 1945 1996 3 Summer era 3 1 Late 1990s 3 2 2000s 3 2 1 Millward s reign and a controversial sacking 2000 2005 3 2 2 The Anderson era 2005 2009 3 2 3 The Potter years 2009 2010 3 3 2010s 3 3 1 A new era begins 2010 present 4 Kit history 5 ReferencesEarly years 1873 1945 edit nbsp Saints are pictured in the first ever Challenge Cup Final 1897 Batley left vs St Helens right St Helens are one of the best members of the Rugby Football League 1 Founded on 19 November 1873 at the Fleece Hotel by William Douglas Herman 2 they played their first ever match on 24 January 1874 against Liverpool Royal Infirmary 3 The club moved from the St Helens Cricket Club Dentons Green Ground in 1890 where they had shared with St Helens Recs when neither were members of the Northern Rugby Football Union 2 They defeated Manchester Rangers in the first match played at Knowsley Road In 1895 the club were one of 22 clubs that resigned from the Rugby Football Union and established the Northern Union 1 The first match of the new code was an 8 3 win at home to Rochdale Hornets before 3 000 spectators Bob Doherty scoring St Helens first try 4 They played in a vertically striped blue and white jersey a stark contrast to the well known broad red band which would become the kit for the club later The club reverted to this kit for one season during the rugby league centenary season in 1995 The Rugby League Challenge Cup was launched in 1897 and it was St Helens who contested its first final with Batley at Headingley Leeds The Gallant Youths of Batley emerged victorious 10 3 5 6 with Dave Red Traynor scoring the lone St Helens try 7 St Helens 1897 Challenge Cup Final team 8 Joe Thompson PR 9 William Winstanley HK 10 Steven Rimmer PR 11 Tom Winstanley SR 12 Tom Reynolds SR 14 Billy Briers FL 13 Peter Dale LF 15 Bill Whiteley FL 7 Freddie Little SH 6 Richard O Hara SO 4 Jim Barnes CE 3 David Traynor CE 5 Billy Jacques WG 2 Bob Doherty WG 1 Tom Foulkes FB Between 1887 and 1891 St Helens weren t successful even generally considered a mid table side 8 9 10 They finished second to bottom in the 1900 01 Lancashire League season meaning they did not qualify to compete in the national league the year later 11 In the 1901 02 season however they did finish third in the Lancashire league 12 In 1902 03 the combined Lancashire and Yorkshire leagues saw St Helens enter for the first time St Helens were placed in Division 1 but finished next to bottom and suffered relegation 13 Promotion was gained at the 1st attempt 14 only for another poor year to see them finish once again in a relegation position 15 However the two Divisions became one League to save the club from a 2nd relegation 16 The Champion fortunes that St Helens fans greet today were certainly not apparent in this period with the club finishing fourth to bottom in 1907 17 third to bottom in 1908 18 and consistently mid table between 1909 and 1913 19 20 21 22 23 On 14 June 1913 St Helens Recs joined the Northern Union after defecting from rugby union and association football The Recs were based individually at the City Road ground after previously sharing with St Helens before their move to Knowsley Road when neither played rugby league The Recs played their first game on 6 September 1913 St Helens now had two professional rugby league teams In both sides first year in co existence St Helens finished yet again in a disappointing low mid table finish 24 During the First World War St Helens struggled to compete and failed to complete the full fixture list of the Emergency War League on two occasions 25 26 27 with the club finishing mid table in the first year of the war 28 as well as being beaten by 37 points to 3 by Huddersfield in that year s Challenge Cup Final 29 The aftermath of the war was still taking its toll on national sport not merely the clubs ability to compete and complete fixtures and in a shortened season St Helens played only nine times in another trophyless season in 1918 1919 30 The club s lack of success and disappointing league finishes continued for another seven seasons 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 The club defeated town rivals the Recs in the Lancashire County Cup Final by 10 points to 2 in the 1926 27 season 38 The season after they were trophyless finishing 10th in a 28 team league 39 One year after the Challenge Cup s debut at Wembley St Helens reached the final there where they were defeated by 10 points to 3 by Widnes in 1930 5 40 They won their first ever National Championship in the 1931 32 season 41 defeating Huddersfield 9 5 in the final 42 This was the same season that they won their second Lancashire League 43 the first coming in the 1929 30 season 44 They lost the 1933 Lancashire Cup Final to Warrington 45 whilst finishing in no competitive position in the league once more 46 St Helens reached no finals or achieved any more honours during the remainder of the 1930s 47 Also what appeared to be building as something of an inter town derby between the two St Helens clubs was struck down as St Helens Recs played their last game on 29 April 1939 as due to the economic depression it was not possible for the town to sustain two teams 48 Like during the First World War the club could not enjoy having a full time squad during World War II and struggled to compete They did not compete in the National Championship until a 17 team Emergency War League was formed in the 1941 42 season 49 and did not win any regional honours They finished bottom of the EWL in seasons 1942 43 50 and 1943 44 51 and next to bottom in 1944 45 52 Post war and the successful 1960s 1945 1996 editThe club s fortunes that had seen them be successful so rarely the decade previous did not change in the 1940s After the commitments of the Second World War St Helens still found it hard to compete and the trend of finishing as a mid table side was once more apparent 53 54 55 56 57 The first two years of the 1950s the last two years of Peter Lyons reign also ended trophyless 58 59 The arrival of Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1952 60 heralded a successful era for St Helens and helped to establish the club as a respected force in British and eventually world rugby league In his seven year tenure at the club Sullivan took them to their first victory in the Challenge Cup Final against Halifax in 1956 5 61 and two National Championships in 1952 53 62 and 1958 59 63 St Helens 1956 Challenge Cup winning team 8 Alan Prescott PR 9 Len McIntyre HK 10 Nat Silcock PR 11 George Parsons SR 12 Roy Robinson SR 13 Vince Karalius LF 7 Austin Rhodes SH 6 Bill Finnan SO 4 Brian Howard CE 3 Duggie Greenall CE 5 Frank Carlton WG 2 Steve Llewellyn WG 1 Glyn Moses FB This was in addition to a brace of Lancashire Cups obtained in seasons 1953 54 64 and 1960 61 65 as well as three Lancashire Leagues in 1952 53 66 1956 57 67 and 1958 59 68 On Saturday 24 November 1956 St Helens inflicted a touring Australia its biggest ever defeat with a 44 2 win 69 Ex St Helens captain and prop forward Alan Prescott took over from Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1959 60 nbsp The now synonymous red vee of St Helens still used today was first seen in the 1961 Challenge Cup Final Perhaps the golden era of the club came in the 1960s as well as more lately in the Super League era With a galaxy of stars including Tom van Vollenhoven Alex Murphy Dick Huddart and Vince Karalius the 1960s was a decade of great success for the Saints In Prescott s first season as coach he lifted the Lancashire League in the 1959 60 season 70 During this decade the recognisable red vee strip first appeared in 1961 for the final against Wigan St Helens won this epic 12 6 5 71 and the kit has since become synonymous with the club They won the Lancashire Cup in the 1961 62 season with a 25 9 success over Swinton seeing yet more silverware com St Helens way under the management of Prescott 72 After his departure in 1962 Stan McCormick led the club to retaining the Lancashire Cup in his first year 73 again beating Swinton and St Helens made it a quadruplet of Lancashire Cup successes with wins against Leigh in 1964 74 and once more Swinton in 1965 this time under coach Joe Coan 75 The 1965 New Zealand tourists appeared at Knowsley Road on Wednesday 15 September Saints inflicted a 28 7 defeat on their visitors 76 their biggest loss of the tour A League 77 and Cup 5 78 double was achieved under Coan in the 1965 66 season whilst they lost the Floodlit Trophy final against Castleford 79 St Helens were beaten by Wakefield Trinity in the 1967 Rugby Football League Championship Final at Station Road Swinton on 10 May 1967 by 20 points to 9 in a replay 80 after a 7 7 draw 4 days earlier 81 This would be Coan s last year in charge at St Helens after a highly successful period as boss He was replaced by Cliff Evans Evans first full season in charge at the club saw him win the club s eighth Lancashire Cup in 1968 winning 13 10 against Warrington after a replay 82 St Helens retained the Lancashire Cup the year later 83 whilst also winning the Lancashire League for being the highest placed Lancashire side in the National standings 84 and they also reached the final of the Floodlit Trophy that season where they were beaten 7 4 by Wigan 85 The 1969 70 season would be the year that Evans would leave his post but not without winning a National Championship beating Leeds in the final after finishing third overall 86 The 1970s were also seen as a successful spell for St Helens as they reached three Challenge Cup finals in the period John Challinor took over from Cliff Evans in 1970 and in his first season he won the Championship 87 88 and reached two finals the Lancashire Cup and Floodlit Trophy losing both 89 90 In this season a European Championship not dissimilar to today s World Club Challenge was contested between St Helens and French champions St Gaudens Over a two legged game St Helens won 92 11 on aggregate 91 92 In their first Challenge Cup Final of the 1970s they defeated Leeds in 1972 16 13 5 93 in addition to winning their first Floodlit Trophy after losing out in the final three times before with an 8 2 win over Rochdale 94 No success was achieved in seasons 1972 73 and 1973 74 with St Helens finishing third and second in the respective years 95 96 This could be a possible reason for Challinor s replacement with Eric Ashton as head coach 60 In Ashton s first season in charge St Helens won the Championship 97 and contested the inaugural Premiership final losing 26 11 to Leeds 98 They repeated their first Challenge Cup success of the 1970s three years after the first against Widnes in 1976 where they were victorious by 20 5 in the famous Dads Army final 5 99 They also won the Premiership against Salford 100 and the Floodlit Trophy against Dewsbury in a successful season 101 In the same year St Helens lost to Eastern Suburbs in an unofficial World Club Challenge Final by 25 points to 2 102 The club won the Premiership in 1977 103 but on 13 December 1977 Saints lost 26 11 to Hull Kingston Rovers in the final of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy 104 In 1978 Leeds avenged their 1972 loss against St Helens emerging winners by 14 12 5 105 St Helens lost the Floodlit Trophy in the 1978 79 season going down to Widnes 106 The 1979 80 season was unsuccessful with St Helens finishing mid table 107 Eric Ashton left the club after this disappointing year 60 Club legend and Welsh international Kel Coslett took over as coach in June 1980 60 108 However his spell as coach was not nearly as successful as his spell as a player and St Helens won nothing whilst under Coslett s command finishing mid table in both seasons 109 110 He held the post for two years before handing over to Billy Benyon 60 111 Not in keeping with several of his predecessors Benyon did not enjoy any success in his maiden season as St Helens coach losing the Lancashire Cup final of that year to Warrington 112 Nothing was won in the 1983 84 season 113 but Saints won back the Lancashire Cup with a 26 18 win at Wigan in the 1984 85 season 114 They also won the Premiership in the same season with a 36 16 victory over defending champions Hull Kingston Rovers 115 In Benyon s last season as coach 1985 86 nothing was won 116 The arrival of Alex Murphy as coach in 1986 60 117 produced some colourful displays from a team that was widely regarded as an entertaining team to watch but seemed to be constant runners up This was illustrated by the shock defeat by Halifax in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley 19 18 in 1987 118 Success was achieved in 1988 when St Helens lifted their one and only John Player Trophy with a thrilling 15 14 victory over Leeds in January 1988 at Central Park Wigan 119 Neil Holding with the crucial match winning drop goal They however lost to Widnes in the Premiership Final at Old Trafford at the end of the season further showing this teams ability to get to finals and not be able to compete on the best stage 120 Nothing was achieved in the next season 121 and Murphy stood down as coach Murphy was succeeded by Mike McClennan in February 1990 60 In his first season McClennan took St Helens to the 1991 Challenge Cup Final where they were defeated by 13 points to 8 by Wigan 122 They won the Lancashire Cup in the 1991 92 season beating Rochdale Hornets 123 They also lost the Premiership Final that season losing to Wigan 124 In 1993 the club avenged their defeat by Wigan the season previous to win the Premiership 125 in the same season that they won the Charity Shield 126 and lost the Lancashire Cup final 127 McClennan was head coach until December 1993 when Eric Hughes succeeded him as head coach in 1994 60 Under Hughes St Helens only reached the one Regal Trophy Final where they lost to Wigan in 1996 by 25 to 16 128 They finished fourth in both of Hughes seasons in charge 129 130 The lack of trophies in the St Helens cabinet after the club had suddenly become so accustomed to success would need to change in the new brand Super League that formed in 1996 hence Hughes departure in 1996 and replacement with Australian Shaun McRae 60 Summer era editFollowing on from their most constant ambition for successes first experienced really in the sixties Saints became one of the most successful side of the summer era Since the inception of Super League in 1996 they have won the title on five occasions and have added seven Challenge Cups to their five previous successes Indeed they won the inaugural Super League albeit by finishing top of the league before the play off era St Helens defeated Bradford 8 6 in the 1999 Super League Grand Final their first Grand Final with more than 50 000 people witnessing Chris Joynt lift the trophy at Old Trafford 131 They also won the World Club Challenge in 2001 and 2007 beating Brisbane both times 132 133 Late 1990s edit The success of the Saints in Super League began under the leadership of Shaun McRae in 1996 During his tenure the club won one league title 1996 134 a year in which he was named Super League s coach of the year and enjoyed back to back successes over Bradford in the Challenge Cup 1996 135 and 1997 136 1998 proved to be a trophyless year 137 and Ellery Hanley succeeded McRae in 1999 after the Australian left for new Super League side Gateshead 60 Hanley led Saints to Grand Final success against Bradford in October of his first year in charge 131 Hanley was considered by many to be a polarising figure and after several acrimonious disagreements with the St Helens board of directors he was sacked a month into the following season 138 Ian Millward was appointed as Hanley s successor as head coach 60 2000s edit Millward s reign and a controversial sacking 2000 2005 edit nbsp Saints defeat Wigan in the 2000 Super League Grand Final Under Millward St Helens quickly became the most exciting team in the competition playing expansive attacking rugby He saw them soundly beaten in the 2000 World Club Challenge losing 44 6 to Melbourne 139 but lead them to retaining their Super League title in 2000 beating Wigan 29 16 140 They also won the 2001 Challenge Cup Final 13 6 over Bradford 141 with the final held at Twickenham Stadium for the first time 142 and the 2001 World Club Challenge earning a 20 18 win over the Broncos 132 143 Millward then lead Saints to reclaim the Super League title in the 2002 Grand Final Sean Long snatching a last minute 19 18 win over the Bradford with a drop goal 144 They were hammered in the 2003 World Club Challenge by Sydney by 38 points to 0 145 In this season they failed to win a trophy after being knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Leeds at the semi final stage and the Super League play offs by Wigan at the same stage In 2004 they beat arch rivals Wigan 32 16 at the Millennium Stadium Cardiff in front of a capacity crowd of 73 734 people to win the Challenge Cup 146 Long gaining his second of an eventual three Lance Todd Trophies 147 Millward s reign was not without controversy and his St Helens career ended controversially after he was suspended in May 2005 148 He was sacked for gross misconduct a week later 149 Daniel Anderson was appointed as coach 60 Millward was then made coach of arch rivals Wigan 150 The St Helens faithful largely saw this sacking as unfair and as a step backwards for the club However if these fans could have foreseen what was to follow under Anderson then they would have certainly wanted him hired sooner nbsp Jamie Lyon preparing to kick at goal for St Helens in the 2006 Super League Grand Final The Anderson era 2005 2009 edit Daniel Anderson saw his new team become the first team to top the Super League and fail to reach Old Trafford in 2005 151 152 However St Helens won the Powergen 2006 Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium London on Saturday 26 August 2006 beating Huddersfield 42 12 153 This was their second Challenge Cup victory at Twickenham stadium the first occasion being in 2001 St Helens scrum half Sean Long was awarded the Lance Todd trophy for the man of the match performance during the 2006 Challenge Cup Final and in doing so became the first ever player to win a third Lance Todd trophy These added to the awards he won in 2001 and 2004 147 St Helens followed up their Challenge Cup win by claiming the League Leader s Shield 154 before cementing their reputation as the team of the year by defeating Hull 26 points to 4 in the Super League Grand Final 155 Once more St Helens confirmed their status as the outstanding team of the summer era Additionally Paul Wellens received the Man of Steel Award for the 2006 season 156 In December 2006 St Helens were awarded with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Team Award at the Annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year Ceremony This accolade recognises the best team in any sport within the United Kingdom At the same ceremony Daniel Anderson was given the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award this was the first time a rugby league coach had won the award 157 After a slow start to the 2007 season Saints added to their history by beating Brisbane 18 14 to win the 2007 World Club Challenge 133 St Helens 2007 World Club Championship winning team 8 Nick Fozzard PR 9 James Roby HK 10 Jason Cayless PR 11 Lee Gilmour SR 12 Mike Bennett SR 13 Jon Wilkin LF 7 Sean Long SH 6 Leon Pryce SO 4 Willie Talau CE 3 Matt Gidley CE 5 Francis Meli WG 2 Ade Gardner WG 1 Paul Wellens FB Substitutes 14 Keiron Cunningham HK 15 Bryn Hargreaves PR 16 Paul Sculthorpe LF 17 James Graham PR In July they beat Super League rivals Bradford 158 to reach the first Challenge Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium 159 Here St Helens successfully defended their Challenge Cup by defeating Catalans Dragons 30 8 in the final on 25 August 2007 160 They were beaten in the Grand Final that year by Leeds by 33 points to 6 161 despite finishing at the top of the league ladder for the third successive season 162 James Roby however became the second St Helens player and home grown talent in two years to win the Man of Steel Award Saints success in the Challenge Cup continued in 2008 with a victory at the new Wembley Stadium this time defeating Hull F C 28 16 163 Paul Wellens received the Lance Todd Trophy after sharing the award with teammate Leon Pryce the year earlier 147 They also achieved first place again in the 2008 Super League season for the 4th year running 164 winning the League Leaders Shield and beat Leeds 38 10 for the right to go to Old Trafford to contest the grand final 165 However St Helens were once again defeated by Leeds in the Grand Final by a margin of 24 to 16 on 4 October 2008 166 James Graham on a positive note made it a hat trick of ex Blackbrook Royals to win the Man of Steel Award whilst playing for St Helens This would be Anderson s last game in charge of the club as he announced he was to return to Australia and the Parramatta Eels of the NRL St Helens fans and players alike were saddened to see Anderson leave after not only upholding the tradition of St Helens exciting brand of rugby but giving them a defensive and disciplined edge that was never apparent under Ian Millward His personality and relationship with the fans was an additional reason why St Helens fans were disgruntled in him leaving after four years in charge and why next boss Mick Potter faced a fair amount of criticism in his initial period as boss The Potter years 2009 2010 edit nbsp St Helens against Widnes Vikings in the pre season 2010 Karalius Cup Mick Potter was announced as the successor to Anderson which received many plaudits from the St Helens fans and the European game as a whole as the year previous he had led Catalans Dragons to a record high third placed finish in the league On 9 August 2009 St Helens reached a record 9th consecutive Challenge Cup semi final 167 where they were beaten by 24 points to 14 by Huddersfield 168 This prevented Saints from reaching the final at the new Wembley Stadium for a third successive time and from winning the cup for a fourth time running This defeat naturally came as a shock to the St Helens faithful after so often in the last 15 years seeing the team reach the pinnacle of this competition and go on to win the cup It was from here that the criticism began and questions were raised particularly of his tactics and his activity or lack of in the transfer market On 3 October 2009 Saints defeated fierce rivals Wigan to book their place at a fourth consecutive Super League Grand Final 169 only to lose out to Leeds in the final 18 10 making Leeds the only team to win the grand final three times consecutively A 20 year old Kyle Eastmond scored all of Saints points 170 A trophyless year for the first time since 2003 was another catalyst to Potter s critics abusing and slating his appointment with even rumours of rifts within the changing rooms 2010s edit 2010 was the year that saw Potter surrender to his critics and leave St Helens Criticisms from club legends like Paul Sculthorpe and Sean Long regarding his personal skills with the fans 171 as well as the continued fan rejection saw him let his contract run out and initially seek a job in the NRL 172 173 174 but eventually and perhaps surprisingly join Bradford on a two year contract 175 Names like Royce Simmons 176 Mal Meninga 177 and assistant coach Kieron Purtill 178 were linked with the job for 2011 Simmons was the chosen man for the job as announced on 22 July 2010 179 180 The 2010 season would also see hooker and captain Keiron Cunningham retire from the game after 17 years with his one and only club However Cunningham would not be leaving without leaving a lasting legacy on the club A lifelike bronze statue of Cunningham was built and placed on display in the town before being transported to the club s new stadium upon its construction in 2012 181 182 He would additionally take up a coaching role with the academy as well as a strength and conditioning role with the first team 179 In light of these decisions neither Cunningham nor Potter halted their personal and the St Helens team quest for success shown by their 10th successive semi final appearance in the Challenge Cup 183 However Saints failure to perform on the big stage was once more shown going down in this semi final by 32 28 184 Defeating Huddersfield in the qualifying semi final in the 2010 play off series by 42 22 not only saw Saints qualify for their fifth Grand Final in five years but also saw the final ever game to be played at Knowsley Road Cunningham snatched the final ever try at the famous old ground in typical fashion from dummy half 185 However for the fourth year running St Helens once more proved flops in the Grand Final One of the finest finals of the Super League era was anticipated 186 but the flamboyant Saints that the fans saw so rarely under Potter once more failed to materialise and in front of a near sell out crowd of 71 526 they fell to a 22 10 loss to rivals Wigan 187 It was not the romantic finish to the Saints careers of Potter Cunningham or any of the departing members of the squad that many who had hoped for but nevertheless a new era was just around the corner as Simmons reign began A new era begins 2010 present edit Australian Royce Simmons took over from compatriot Mick Potter at the end of the 2010 season His reign began in a positive sense certainly in the eyes of the Saints faithful in comparison to Potter and in terms of market activity with several key personnel departing from and arriving at the club The club itself also underwent something of a revolution The 2011 season was the year St Helens left Knowsley Road lost their long standing captain and hooker Keiron Cunningham to retirement and re branded unofficially to Saints RL as well as welcoming new coach Simmons Kit history edit nbsp St Helens heritage jersey first used in 1890 used again in 2010 In their rugby football days and early years as a rugby league club St Helens wore a vertically stripped blue and white jersey with blue shorts and socks This kit was reverted to by Saints during their centenary year in 1995 In their initial period at Knowsley Road St Helens wore a similar jersey but the stripes were horizontal and the colours blue and grey In 2010 the club used this design as a commemorative strip to celebrate their 110th and final year at the ground These colours however were dropped in favour of a more traditional to today red and white design The kit entailed a thick red horizontal strip with a white background and was used until 1961 In the 1961 Challenge Cup final against Wigan the strip still seen today the famous red vee was first utilised 71 nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp very early kit nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp kit until 1961 nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp 1961 presentReferences edit a b The Great Schism RugbyFootballHistory com Retrieved 24 December 2009 a b St Helens RLFC Club History saintsrlfc com 29 August 1873 Archived from the original on 22 July 2009 Retrieved 14 July 2009 St Helens First Match Saints Heritage Society 24 January 1874 Retrieved 14 July 2009 Saints first match in Northern Union Saints Heritage Society 7 July 1895 Retrieved 12 July 2009 a b c d e f g h Challenge Cup Role of Honour BBC 26 August 2006 Retrieved 11 July 2009 1897 Challenge Cup Final BBC 26 August 1897 Retrieved 11 July 2009 Hoole Les 8 August 1998 The Rugby League Challenge Cup Breedon Books Ltd ISBN 1 85983 094 3 1897 1898 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1898 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1898 1899 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1899 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1899 1900 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1900 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1900 1901 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1901 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1901 1902 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1902 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1902 1903 Division 1 League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1903 Retrieved 12 July 2009 1903 1904 Division 2 League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1904 Retrieved 12 July 2009 1904 1905 Division 1 League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1905 Retrieved 12 July 2009 1905 1906 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1906 Retrieved 12 July 2009 1906 1907 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1907 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1907 1908 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1908 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1908 1909 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1909 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1909 1910 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1910 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1910 1911 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1911 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1911 1912 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1912 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1912 1913 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1913 Retrieved 1 August 2010 1913 1914 Emergency War League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1914 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1915 1916 Emergency War League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1916 Retrieved 20 July 2009 1916 1917 Emergency War League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1917 Retrieved 20 July 2009 1917 1918 Emergency War League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1917 Retrieved 20 July 2009 1914 1915 Emergency War League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1915 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1915 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 1 May 1915 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1918 1919 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1919 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1919 1920 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1920 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1920 1921 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1921 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1921 1922 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1922 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1922 1923 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1923 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1923 1924 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1924 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1924 1925 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1925 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1925 1926 Northern Football Union League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1926 Retrieved 2 August 2010 1926 1927 Lancashire Final Saints Heritage Society 20 November 1927 Retrieved 17 July 2009 1928 1929 Lancashire Final Saints Heritage Society 20 November 1929 Retrieved 3 August 2010 French Lessons BBC 24 April 2003 Retrieved 24 April 2003 1930 1931 National League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1931 Retrieved 17 July 2009 1931 1932 National League Final Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1931 Retrieved 17 July 2009 1930 1931 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1931 Retrieved 17 July 2009 1929 1930 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1930 Retrieved 17 July 2009 1933 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 19 November 1933 Retrieved 3 August 2010 1932 1933 National League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1933 Retrieved 3 August 2010 St Helens RLFC club Records Saints Heritage Society 24 June 2009 Retrieved 24 June 2009 History of Pilkington Recs RLFC pilkingtonrecs co uk 26 July 2010 Archived from the original on 10 December 2009 Retrieved 26 July 2010 19241 1942 Emergency War League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1942 Retrieved 17 July 2009 1942 1943 Emergency War League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1943 Retrieved 17 July 2009 1943 1944 Emergency War League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1944 Retrieved 17 July 2009 1944 1945 Emergency War League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1945 Retrieved 17 July 2009 1945 46 National League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 1946 Retrieved 3 August 2010 1946 47 National League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 1947 Retrieved 3 August 2010 1947 48 National League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 1948 Retrieved 3 August 2010 1948 49 National League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 1949 Retrieved 3 August 2010 1949 50 National League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 1950 Retrieved 3 August 2010 1950 51 National League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 1951 Retrieved 3 August 2010 1951 52 National League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 1952 Retrieved 3 August 2010 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Saints Coaching Register Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1956 Challenge Cup Final Commentary Saints Heritage Society 11 July 1956 Retrieved 11 July 2009 1952 53 League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1958 59 League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1954 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1961 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1952 53 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1956 57 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1958 59 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 Jim Sullivan Timeline rugbyrelics com 11 July 2009 Archived from the original on 19 July 2009 Retrieved 11 July 2009 1959 60 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 a b 1961 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 1 July 1961 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1962 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 11 November 1961 Retrieved 6 August 2010 1963 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 27 October 1962 Retrieved 6 August 2010 1964 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 26 October 1963 Retrieved 6 August 2010 1965 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 26 October 1964 Retrieved 6 August 2010 Saints vs 1965 New Zealand Tour Saints Heritage Society 1 July 1961 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1966 League Table Saints Heritage Society 11 July 2009 Retrieved 6 August 2010 1966 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 1 July 1966 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1966 Floodlit Trophy Final Saints Heritage Society 14 December 1965 Retrieved 6 August 2010 1967 Championship Final Replay Saints Heritage Society 10 May 1967 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1967 Championship Final Saints Heritage Society 6 May 1967 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1968 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 2 December 1968 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1969 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1968 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1968 69 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1969 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1969 Floodlit Trophy Final Saints Heritage Society 17 December 1969 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1970 Championship Final Saints Heritage Society 16 May 1970 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1970 71 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1971 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1971 Championship Final Saints Heritage Society 16 May 1971 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1971 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 28 November 1970 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1971 Floodlit Trophy Final Saints Heritage Society 13 December 1970 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1970 71 European Championship Final 1st Leg Saints Heritage Society 5 December 1970 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1970 71 European Championship Final 2nd Leg Saints Heritage Society 5 January 1971 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1972 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 26 August 1972 Retrieved 11 July 2009 1972 Floodlit Trophy Fina Saints Heritage Society 14 December 1971 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1972 73 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1973 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1973 74 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1974 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1974 75 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1975 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1975 Premiership Final Saints Heritage Society 17 May 1975 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1976 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 26 August 1976 Retrieved 11 July 2009 1976 Premiership Final Saints Heritage Society 22 May 1976 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1976 Floodlit Trophy Final Saints Heritage Society 16 December 1975 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1976 World Club Challenge Saints Heritage Society 29 June 1976 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1977 Premiership Final Saints Heritage Society 28 May 1977 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1977 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final Saints Heritage Society 13 December 1977 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1978 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 26 August 1978 Retrieved 11 July 2009 1979 Floodlit Trophy Final Saints Heritage Society 12 December 1978 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1979 80 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1980 Retrieved 7 August 2010 Kel Coslett Bio Saints Heritage Society 15 July 2009 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1980 81 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1981 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1981 82 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1982 Retrieved 7 August 2010 Billy Benyon Bio Saints Heritage Society 15 July 2009 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1983 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 23 December 1982 Retrieved 8 August 2010 1983 84 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1984 Retrieved 8 August 2010 1985 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 28 October 1984 Retrieved 8 August 2010 1985 Premiership Final Saints Heritage Society 11 May 1985 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1985 86 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1986 Retrieved 8 August 2010 Alex Murphy Bio Saints Heritage Society 15 July 2009 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1987 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 2 May 1987 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1988 John Player Trophy Final Saints Heritage Society 9 January 1988 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1988 Premiership Final Saints Heritage Society 15 May 1988 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1989 90 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1990 Retrieved 8 August 2010 1991 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 27 April 1991 Retrieved 7 July 2010 1992 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 15 May 1991 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1992 Premiership Final Saints Heritage Society 17 May 1992 Retrieved 8 August 2010 1990 Premiership Final Saints Heritage Society 15 May 1993 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1993 Charity Shield Saints Heritage Society 23 August 1992 Retrieved 8 August 2010 1993 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 18 October 1992 Retrieved 8 August 2010 1996 Regal Trophy Final Saints Heritage Society 13 January 1996 Retrieved 8 August 2010 1994 95 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1995 Retrieved 8 August 2010 1995 96 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1996 Retrieved 8 August 2010 a b 1999 Super League Grand Final Saints Heritage Society 9 October 1999 Retrieved 16 July 2009 a b 2001 World Club Challenge Saints Heritage Society 26 January 2001 Retrieved 16 July 2009 a b Harlow Phil 23 February 2007 St Helens vs Brisbane As It Happened BBC Retrieved 11 July 2009 1996 Super League Table Saints Heritage Society 9 October 1999 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1996 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 27 April 1996 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1997 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 3 May 1996 Retrieved 15 July 2009 1998 Super League Table Saints Heritage Society 9 October 1998 Retrieved 8 August 2010 Hanley Appointed Doncaster Coach BBC 14 December 2007 Retrieved 14 December 2007 2000 World Club Challenge Saints Heritage Society 24 January 2000 Retrieved 20 July 2009 Super League IV Grand Final BBC 14 October 2000 Retrieved 16 July 2009 2001 Challenge Cup Final Final Saints Heritage Society 28 April 2001 Retrieved 16 July 2009 RFL Remains Bullish on Twickenham BBC 8 March 2006 Retrieved 16 July 2009 World Club Challenge Chris Joynt BBC 22 February 2007 Retrieved 16 July 2009 2002 Super League Grand Final Saints Heritage Society 19 October 2002 Retrieved 16 July 2009 2003 World Club Challenge Saints Heritage Society 14 February 2003 Retrieved 20 July 2009 2004 Challenge Cup Final Final Saints Heritage Society 15 May 2004 Retrieved 16 July 2009 a b c Lance Todd Trophy Winners BBC 26 August 2006 Retrieved 16 July 2009 Millward Suspended For Swearing BBC 6 May 2005 Retrieved 16 July 2009 Boss Millward Sacked By St Helens BBC 10 May 2005 Retrieved 16 July 2009 Millward Appointed Coach of Wigan BBC 22 May 2005 Retrieved 16 July 2009 2005 Super League Table Saints Heritage Society 9 October 2005 Retrieved 16 July 2009 2005 Super League Play offs Final Eliminator Saints Heritage Society 7 October 2005 Retrieved 16 July 2009 St Helens 42 12 Huddersfield BBC 26 August 2006 Retrieved 11 July 2009 2006 Super League Table Saints Heritage Society 9 October 2006 Retrieved 16 July 2009 St Helens 26 4 Hull FC BBC 6 October 2006 Retrieved 8 July 2008 Wellens Wins Man of Steel Award BBC 9 August 2006 Retrieved 16 July 2009 Sports Personality Winners 2006 BBC 10 December 2006 Retrieved 11 July 2009 2007 Challenge Cup Semi final Saints Heritage Society 28 July 2007 Retrieved 16 July 2009 Challenge Cup Returns To Wembley BBC 28 March 2007 Retrieved 16 July 2009 Hodgetts Rob 25 August 2008 St Helens vs Catalans As It Happened FC BBC Retrieved 11 July 2009 Hudson Elizabeth 13 October 2007 St Helens 6 33 Leeds Rhinos BBC Retrieved 8 July 2008 2007 Super League Table Saints Heritage Society 9 October 2007 Retrieved 16 July 2009 Soneji Pranav 30 August 2008 St Helens 28 16 Hull FC BBC Retrieved 8 July 2008 2008 Super League Table Saints Heritage Society 9 October 2008 Retrieved 16 July 2009 2008 Super League Play offs Qualifying Final Saints Heritage Society 4 October 2008 Retrieved 8 July 2008 Lyon Sam 4 October 2008 St Helens 16 24 Leeds Rhinos BBC Retrieved 8 July 2008 Cup Venues Announced Sky Sports 2 June 2009 Retrieved 10 August 2009 St Helens vs Huddersfield CC match report saintsrlfc com 9 August 2009 Retrieved 10 August 2009 St Helens vs Wigan P O match report engagesuperleague co uk 3 October 2009 Retrieved 3 October 2009 St Helens 10 18 Leeds Rhinos BBC 10 October 2009 Retrieved 21 October 2009 Long Potter exit no shock Sky Sports 12 May 2010 Retrieved 12 July 2010 Change of scenery for Potter superleague co uk 4 May 2010 Archived from the original on 20 January 2012 Retrieved 15 June 2010 Gidley empathises with Potter superleague co uk 5 May 2010 Archived from the original on 7 May 2010 Retrieved 15 June 2010 Long not surprised by Potter exit superleague co uk 12 May 2010 Archived from the original on 18 January 2012 Retrieved 15 June 2010 Potter lands Bradford Bulls job superleague co uk 16 July 2010 Archived from the original on 20 January 2012 Retrieved 16 July 2010 Wilson Andy 28 June 2010 Royce Simmons the surprising front runner to take over at St Helens The Guardian London Retrieved 12 July 2010 Meninga would consider Saints Sky Sports 1 June 2010 Retrieved 12 July 2010 Purtill waits on Saints job Sky Sports 30 June 2010 Retrieved 12 July 2010 a b Saints Appoint Royce Simmons saintsrlfc com 22 July 2010 Retrieved 22 July 2010 Simmons to coach Saints Sky Sports 22 July 2010 Retrieved 22 July 2010 Cunningham is Man of Bronze sthelensnews com 4 June 2008 Retrieved 8 July 2008 Lawrenson David 8 February 2008 Cunningham Finds Permanent Place With His Saints The Guardian London Retrieved 8 July 2008 Potter Semi Final Continues Saints Success saintsrlfc com 15 June 2010 Retrieved 15 June 2010 Saints Final Hopes Dashed By Rhinos saintsrlfc com 7 August 2010 Retrieved 7 August 2010 St Helens 42 22 Huddersfield Giants saintsrlfc com 24 September 2010 Retrieved 5 October 2010 Too close to call Sky Sports 1 October 2010 Retrieved 5 October 2010 Warriors too good for Saints Sky Sports 2 October 2010 Archived from the original on 5 October 2010 Retrieved 5 October 2010 nbsp Sports portal Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title History of St Helens R F C amp oldid 1180253338, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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