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St Helens R.F.C.

January 19, 2023

This article is about the English rugby league team. For the English rugby union team, see Liverpool St Helens F.C.

St Helens R.F.C. is a professional rugby league club in St Helens, Merseyside who compete in the Super League, the top tier for rugby league in Great Britain.

St Helens
Club information
Full nameSt Helens Rugby Football Club
Nickname(s)The Saints
The Red V
Short nameSaints
ColoursWhite and red
Founded1873; 150 years ago (1873)
Websitesaintsrlfc.com
Current details
Ground(s)
ChairmanEamonn McManus
CoachPaul Wellens
CaptainJames Roby
CompetitionSuper League
2022 seasonRegular Season: 1st
Play Offs: Champions
Current season
Uniforms
Home colours
Away colours
Records
Championships17 (1932, 1953, 1959, 1966, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
Challenge Cups13 (1956, 1961, 1966, 1972, 1976, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2021)
World Club Challenges2 (2001, 2007)
Other honours35
Most capped531 – Kel Coslett
Highest points scorer3,413 – Kel Coslett

They are the current Champions, having won the last 4 consecutive titles, and become the first team in super league history to do so.

Formed in 1873, St Helens are one of the 22 original members of the Northern Rugby Football Union and have been league champions on 16 occasions.[1] St Helens are also the third most successful side in the Challenge Cup with 13 wins in 23 Final appearances.[2] St Helens are founding members of the Super League and are one of only four teams to have appeared in every season since its creation in 1996.

Since 1961 the club's home colours have been white, with a red "V" on the jersey. St Helens play their home games at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens, having moved from their previous home, Knowsley Road, in 2012.

History

Main article: History of St Helens R.F.C.
See also: List of St Helens R.F.C. seasons

Early years (1873–1945)

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

St Helens are the oldest members of the Rugby Football League.[3] Founded as St Helens Football Club on 19 November 1873 at the Fleece Hotel by William Douglas Herman,[4] they played their first ever match on 31 January 1874 against Liverpool Royal Infirmary.[5] They became known as St Helens Rangers up until the 1880s. The club moved from the City Ground in 1890 where they had shared with St Helens Recs when neither were members of the Northern Rugby Football Union.[4] 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.[3] 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.[6] 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 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,[7][8] with Dave "Red" Traynor scoring the lone St Helens' try.[9]

St Helens 1897 Challenge Cup Final team
11 Tom Winstanley (Second-row) 12 Tom Reynolds (Second-row)
14 Billy Briers (FL) 13 Peter Dale (Loose forward) 15 Bill Whiteley (FL)
7 Freddie Little (Scrum-half)
6 Richard O'Hara (Stand-off)
4 Jim Barnes (Centre)
3 David Traynor (Centre)
5 Billy Jacques (Wing) 2 Bob Doherty (Wing)
1 Tom Foulkes (Fullback)

Between 1897 and 1901, St Helens were not successful, even generally considered a mid—table side.[10][11][12] 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.[13] In the 1901–02 season, however, they did finish third in the Lancashire league.[14] 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.[15] Promotion was gained at the first attempt,[16] only for another poor year to see them finish once again in a relegation position.[17] However the two Divisions became one League to save the club from a second relegation.[18] 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,[19] third to bottom in 1908,[20] and consistently mid—table between 1909 and 1913.[21][22][23][24][25]

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.[26]

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,[27][28][29] with the club finishing mid—table in the first year of the war,[30] as well as being beaten by 37 points to 3 by Huddersfield in that year's Challenge Cup Final.[31]

The aftermath of the war was still taking its toll on national sport, not merely the club's ability to compete and complete fixtures, on 31 January 1918 'close down' due to a lack of finances following a 22–0 defeat by Widnes. Saints re-open on 25 December 1918 and are beaten 20 points to nil by St Helens Recs in a friendly fixture at City Road. In the shortened 1918–1919 season, St Helens played only nine times.[32] The club's lack of success and disappointing league finishes continued for another seven seasons.[33][34][35][36][37][38][39]

The club defeated town rivals the Recs in the Lancashire County Cup Final by 10 points to 2 in the 1926–27 season.[40] The season after, they were trophyless, finishing tenth in a 28—team league.[41] 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.[7][42] They won their first ever National Championship in the 1931–32 season,[43] defeating Huddersfield 9–5 in the final.[44] This was the same season that they won their second Lancashire League,[45] the first coming in the 1929–30 season.[46] They lost the 1933 Lancashire Cup Final to Warrington,[47] whilst finishing in no competitive position in the league once more.[48] St Helens reached no finals or achieved any more honours during the remainder of the 1930s.[2] 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.[49]

Like during the First World War, the club could not enjoy having a full—time squad during the Second World War 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,[50] and did not win any regional honours. They finished bottom of the EWL in seasons 1942–43[51] and 1943–44[52] and next-to-bottom in 1944–45.[53]

Post-war (1945–1979)

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.[54][55][56][57][58] The first two years of the 1950s, the last two years of Peter Lyons' reign, also ended trophyless.[59][60]

The arrival of Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1952[61] heralded a successful era for St Helens, and helped to establish the club as a respected force in British and eventually world rugby league. Under Sullivan, St Helens reached, and lost, the 1952–53 Challenge Cup final.[62] They didn't have long to wait for trophies as St Helens won the Lancashire Leagues, in 1952–53,[63] The 1953 Championship final against Halifax was held at Manchester City's Maine Road ground; in front of a crowd of over 50,000, Saints won their second Championship 24–14. They also won the 1953 Lancashire Cup, beating Wigan 16–8 at Swinton, the first time the two old rivals had clashed in a major final, Saints.

Sullivan took Saints to their first victory in the Challenge Cup final (against Halifax in 1956),[7][64] On Saturday 24 November 1956, St Helens inflicted a touring Australia its biggest ever defeat with a 44–2 win.[65]

The following year saw Saints win the 1956-7 Lancashire League 1956–57[66] and they won it again in 1958–59.[67] Sullivan's second championship came in 1958–59.[68] A second Lancashire County Cup came in 1960–61,[69]

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

Ex—St Helens captain and prop-forward Alan Prescott took over from Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1959.[61] 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, Cliff Watson, Ray French 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,[7][71] and the kit has since become synonymous with the club. Mick Sullivan joined Saints for £11,000, then a record transfer fee.[citation needed] They won the Lancashire Cup in the 1961–62 season, with a 25–9 success over Swinton (at Central Park, Wigan) seeing yet more silverware come 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, the latter success under coach Joe Coan.[75] St Helens won the Western Division Championship under McCormick's rule, beating Swinton 10–7.[76] St Helens, under coach Joe Coan, lost the 1964–65 Championship final to Halifax at Station Road, Swinton.[77] The 1965 New Zealand tourists appeared at Knowsley Road on Wednesday 15 September. Saints inflicted a 28–7 defeat on their visitors,[78] their biggest loss of the tour. A League[79] and Cup[7][80] double was achieved under Coan in the 1965–66 season, whilst they lost the Floodlit Trophy final against Castleford.[81] 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,[82] after a 7–7 draw 4 days earlier.[83] 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.[84] St Helens retained the Lancashire Cup the year later,[85] whilst also winning the Lancashire League for being the highest placed Lancashire side in the National standings,[86] and they also reached the final of the Floodlit Trophy that season, where they were beaten 7–4 by Wigan.[87] 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.[88]

The 1970s were also seen as a successful spell for St Helens, as they reached three Challenge Cup finals in the period. Jim Challinor took over from Cliff Evans in 1970, and in his first season, he won the Championship,[89][90] and reached two finals, the Lancashire Cup and Floodlit Trophy, losing both.[91][92] 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.[93][94] In their first Challenge Cup Final of the 1970s, they defeated Leeds in 1972 16–13,[7][95] in addition to winning their first Floodlit Trophy, after losing out in the final three times before, with an 8–2 win over Rochdale.[96] The club reached the Championship final in that season, but were beaten.[97] No success was achieved in seasons 1972–73 and 1973–74, with St Helens finishing third and second in the respective years.[98][99] This could be a possible reason for Jim Challinor's replacement with Eric Ashton as head coach.[61] In Ashton's first season in charge, St Helens won the Championship,[100] and contested the inaugural Premiership Final, losing 26–11 to Leeds.[101] 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.[7][102] They also won the Premiership against Salford,[103] and the Floodlit Trophy against Dewsbury in a successful season.[104] In the same year, St Helens lost to Eastern Suburbs in an unofficial World Club Challenge Final by 25 points to 2.[105] The club won the Premiership in 1977,[106] but, on 13 December 1977, Saints lost 26–11 to Hull Kingston Rovers in the final of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy.[107] In 1978 Leeds avenged their 1972 loss against St Helens, emerging winners by 14–12.[7][108] St Helens lost the Floodlit Trophy in the 1978–79 season, going down to Widnes.[109] The 1979–80 season was unsuccessful, with St Helens finishing mid—table.[110] Eric Ashton left the club after this disappointing year.[61]

The 1980s, and early to mid-1990s

Former club player and Welsh international Kel Coslett took over as coach in June 1980.[61][111] 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.[112][113] He held the post for two years before handing over to Billy Benyon.[61][114] Not in-keeping with several of his predecessors, Benyon did not enjoy any success in his first season as St Helens coach, losing the Lancashire Cup final of that year to Warrington.[115] Nothing was won in the 1983–84 season,[116] but Saints won back the Lancashire Cup, with a 26–18 win at Wigan in the 1984–85 season.[117] They also won the Premiership in the same season with a 36–16 victory over defending champions Hull Kingston Rovers at Elland Road in Leeds. The 1984–85 season saw the arrival (for one season only) of giant Australian international centre Mal Meninga who quickly became a crowd favourite at Knowsley Road.[118] In Benyon's last season as coach, 1985–86, nothing was won.[119]

The arrival of Alex Murphy as coach in 1986[61][120] 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 defeat by Halifax in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley, 19–18, in 1987.[121] Success was achieved in 1988 when St Helens lifted their one and only John Player Trophy with a 15–14 victory over Leeds in January 1988, at Central Park, Wigan.[122] 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 team's ability to get to finals and not be able to compete on the best stage.[123] Nothing was achieved in the next two seasons,[124][125] including a defeat in the 1989 Challenge Cup Final[126] and Murphy stood down as coach.

Murphy was succeeded by Mike McClennan in February 1990.[61] 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.[127] They won the Lancashire Cup, in the 1991–92 season, beating Rochdale Hornets.[128] They also lost the Premiership Final that season, losing to Wigan.[129] In 1993 the club avenged their defeat by Wigan the season previous to win the Premiership,[130] in the same season that they won the Charity Shield,[131] and lost the Lancashire Cup final.[132] McClennan was head coach until December 1993, when Eric Hughes succeeded him as head coach in 1994.[61] Under Hughes, St Helens only reached the one, Regal Trophy Final, where they lost to Wigan in 1996 by 25 to 16.[133] They finished fourth in both of Hughes' seasons in charge.[134][135] 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.[61]

Summer era

Following on from their most constant ambition for successes, first experienced really in the 1960s, 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 eight 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.[136] They also won the World Club Challenge in 2001 and 2007, beating Brisbane both times.[137][138]

Late 1990s

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),[139] 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[140] and 1997[141]). St Helens lost consecutive Premiership finals to Wigan in 1996,[142] and 1997.[143] 1998 proved to be a trophyless year,[144] and Ellery Hanley succeeded McRae in 1999, after the Australian left for new Super League side Gateshead.[61] Hanley led Saints to Grand Final success against Bradford in October of his first year in charge.[136] 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.[145] Ian Millward was appointed as Hanley's successor as head coach.[61]

2000s

Millward's reign and a controversial sacking (2000–2005)
 
St. Helens defeated Wigan Warriors 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,[146] but lead them to retaining their Super League title in 2000 beating Wigan 29–16.[147] They also won the Challenge Cup in 2001; 13–6 over Bradford,[148] with the final held at Twickenham Stadium for the first time,[149] and the 2001 World Club Challenge, earning a 20–18 win over the Broncos.[137][150] Millward then lead Saints to the top of Super League VII, and to reclaim the Super League title in the 2002 Grand Final,[151] Sean Long snatching a last minute 19–18 win over the Bradford with a drop—goal.[152] They lost the 2002 Challenge Cup Final to Wigan at Murrayfield Stadium by 21 points to 12.[153] They were hammered in the 2003 World Club Challenge by Sydney by 38 points to 0.[154] 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,[155] Long gaining his second of an eventual three Lance Todd Trophies.[156]

Millward's reign was not without controversy and his St Helens career ended controversially after he was suspended in May 2005.[157] He was sacked for gross misconduct a week later.[158] Daniel Anderson was appointed as coach,[61] Millward was then made coach of archrivals Wigan.[159]

The Anderson era (2005–2008)
 
St Helens lifting the Challenge Cup trophy after the 2006 Final

Daniel Anderson saw his new team become the first team to top the Super League and fail to reach Old Trafford in 2005.[160][161] However, St Helens won the 2006 Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium, beating Huddersfield 42–12.[162] Scrum-half Sean Long was awarded the Lance Todd trophy for a record third time for his man—of—the—match performance during the final.[156]

St Helens followed up their Challenge Cup win by claiming the League Leader's Shield,[163] before cementing their reputation as the team of the year by defeating Hull 26 points to 4 in the Super League Grand Final.[164] 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.[165]

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.[166]

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.[138]

St Helens 2007 World Club Championship winning team
8 Nick Fozzard (PR) 14 James Roby (HK) 10 Jason Cayless (PR)
11 Lee Gilmour (SR) 15 Mike Bennett (SR)
12 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
9 Keiron Cunningham (HK)
18 Bryn Hargreaves (PR)
13 Paul Sculthorpe (LF)
17 James Graham (PR)

In July, they beat Super League rivals, Bradford,[167] to reach the first Challenge Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium.[168] Here, St Helens successfully defended their Challenge Cup by defeating Catalans Dragons 30–8 in the final on 25 August 2007.[169] They were beaten in the Grand Final that year by Leeds by 33 points to 6,[170] despite finishing at the top of the league ladder for the third successive season.[171] 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.[172] Paul Wellens received the Lance Todd Trophy after sharing the award with team-mate Leon Pryce the year earlier.[156]

They also achieved first place again in the 2008 Super League season—for the fourth year running[173]—winning the League Leaders Shield, and beat Leeds 38–10 for the right to go to Old Trafford to contest the Grand Final.[174] However, St Helens were once again defeated by Leeds in the Grand Final, by a margin of 24 to 16, on 4 October 2008.[175] 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)
 
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 the Catalans Dragons to a record—high third—placed finish in the league. On 9 August 2009, St Helens reached a record ninth consecutive Challenge Cup semi—final,[176] where they were beaten by 24 points to 14 by the Huddersfield Giants.[177] 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 the Wigan Warriors to book their place at a fourth consecutive Super League Grand Final,[178] only to lose out to the Leeds Rhinos in the final, 18–10, making the Leeds Rhinos the only team to win the Grand Final three times consecutively. A 20-year-old Kyle Eastmond scored all of Saints' points.[179] 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

 
James Roby in 2010

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,[180] as well as the continued fan rejection saw him let his contract run out and, initially, seek a job in the NRL,[181][182][183] but eventually, and perhaps surprisingly, join Bradford on a two—year contract.[184] Names like Royce Simmons,[185] Mal Meninga,[186] and assistant coach Kieron Purtill,[187] were linked with the job for 2011. Simmons was the chosen man for the job, as announced on 22 July 2010.[188][189] The 2010 season would also see legendary 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.[190][191] He would additionally take up a coaching role with the academy, as well as a strength and conditioning role with the first team.[188] In light of these decisions, neither Cunningham nor Potter halted their personal and the St Helens team quest for success; shown by their tenth successive semi—final appearance in the Challenge Cup.[192] However, Saints failure to perform on the big stage was once more shown, going down in this semi—final by 32–28.[193] Defeating Huddersfield Giants 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. Fittingly, Cunningham snatched the final ever try at the famous old ground in typical fashion from dummy—half.[194] 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,[195] 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.[196] It was not the romantic finish to the Saints careers of Potter, Cunningham or any of the departing members of the squad that many had hoped for, but nevertheless, a new era was just around the corner, as Simmons' reign began.

Beginning of a new era (2011–present)

Australian Royce Simmons took over from compatriot Mick Potter for the start of the 2011 season. As the club awaited completion of the new stadium, all home fixtures in 2011 were played at the Halton Stadium in Widnes, effectively meaning St Helens were forced to play an entire season of away fixtures. In addition, they suffered upheaval in terms of the playing squad; having already lost the influential Cunningham to retirement and other club legends like Sean Long, the start of the season was overshadowed by the news that Kyle Eastmond, who had been earmarked as Long's replacement, and inspirational leader James Graham were both looking to leave the club. A number of serious injuries to further key players such as Leon Pryce and Ade Gardner meant the team was facing an uphill battle on the field all season. However, despite all the problems faced, St Helens defied the odds to reach their 11th Challenge Cup semi-final in a row, and at the end of the season they qualified for their sixth consecutive Grand Final. However, for the fifth year in a row they were on the losing side, as the injury-plagued squad finally succumbed to Leeds. However, the 2011 season saw the emergence of a new crop of talent, with players such as Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell stepping up to fill the gaps left by senior players and earning rave reviews for their performances.[according to whom?]

In 2012, the club moved into their new home at Langtree Park. However, the season started with a terrible run of results, which culminated in Royce Simmons being sacked in March. With assistant coach Kieron Purtill also leaving, the coaching reins were taken up by youth coach Mike Rush for the remainder of the 2012 season, with Keiron Cunningham acting as his assistant. Following St Helens's defeat by Wigan in the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup, which ended a run of 11 consecutive semi-final appearances, it was announced that Nathan Brown would be taking over as head coach for 2013, with Rush moving back into his previous role.

At the end of the Super League XIX regular season, St Helens claimed the League Leaders' Shield and reached the 2014 Super League Grand Final against Wigan where they won the match 14–6 claiming their 13th premiership.[197]

In the Super League XXIII season, St Helens claimed the League Leader's Shield and Ben Barba who had joined the club that year won the Man of Steel award. St Helens were favourites to reach another grand final but were upset in the preliminary final by Warrington 18–13 at Langtree Park.[198]

During the Super League XXIV season, St Helens reached the Challenge Cup final against Warrington but lost the match 18–4 at Wembley Stadium.[199]

At the end of the Super League XXIV regular season, St Helens won the League Leader's Shield for a second consecutive year after finished 16 points clear of second placed Wigan.[200] St Helens would go on to reach the 2019 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford against Salford. St Helens won the match 23–6 securing their 14th championship.[201]

At the end of the 2020 season, St Helens finished second behind league leaders Wigan. After easily accounting for Catalans Dragons in the semi-final, St Helens played against Wigan in the 2020 Super League Grand Final. With only seconds remaining and with the scores locked at 4-4, St Helens scored a try after the siren through Jack Welsby to win back to back championships in the most dramatic of circumstances.[202]

On 17 July 2021, St. Helens won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 13 years beating Castleford in the final 26–12. St. Helens had trailed the match at half-time 12–6.[203] St Helens finished the 2021 Super League season in second place on the table.[204] They then went on to defeat Catalan Dragons 12–10 in a hotly-contested Grand Final, securing the club's first league and cup double since 2006 and an historic 'three-peat' - becoming only the second team in the summer era to win three consecutive championships.[205]

St Helens ended the 2022 regular season as League Leaders, thus earning them a bye to the semi finals. They beat Salford 19-12, to reach their 4th consecutive Grand Final. They faced Leeds in the Grand Final, after Leeds beat Catalans in the eliminators, and Wigan in the semi final. St Helens won the match 24–12, to win their fourth final in a row, and by doing so, they become the first team in Super League history to win four in a row.[206]

Academy

Main article: St Helens R.F.C. Academy

The St Helens academy has produced some of the finest youngsters, potential stars and internationals the world of rugby league has seen. Although initially, players were signed either from other clubs, or would go straight into first team reckoning after being signed from their amateur club at a much later age than today's system; as the game became more widespread in the town, across the North—West and nationally, a system had to be introduced in order to suffice the amount of youth talent that the club homed. More early examples of players that made the grade following on form their stints in the academy and reserves (previously known as the "St Helens Colts") include Steve Prescott,[207] Paul Forber,[208] Gary Connolly,[209] and Chris Arkwright.[210] St Helens' traditional policy with youth was to make them better players for the club. Now, however, it can be argued that Saints look to make them internationals, with no less than five of the current St Helens squad's youth products having gone on to represent either Great Britain or England or both. St Helens youth policy does not operate solely in the borough boundaries of the town. Indeed, many of St Helens current and past squads call areas like Widnes, Wigan, Cumbria and Oldham home. St Helens have, also, branched even into rugby union territory and other wider national areas for youth players; most recently, Daniel Brotherton, a winger from Northampton, signed a professional contract with the club, and has made great strides in the under 18s after his signing from Northampton Demons.[211][212]

Women's side

Main article: St Helens R.F.C. Women

Rivalries

Wigan Warriors

 
St Helens against Wigan in the semi-final play-off eliminator in 2009
Main article: St Helens R.F.C.–Wigan Warriors rivalry

There is a strong rivalry between St Helens and Wigan; the local derby between the two clubs has been traditionally regarded as the biggest in British rugby league, as well as one of the oldest in world rugby league.[213] Both being founder members of the Northern Rugby Football Union, the derby has been played since 1895, making it amongst the most historical derbys in both British and global rugby league. Remarkably, the first encounter between the fierce rivals ended in a 0–0 draw at Knowsley Road,[213] The games were traditionally played on Boxing Day, however were moved to Good Friday, during the busy Easter period in rugby league. More recently, the game was even played on Maundy Thursday in Super League. In all league encounters between the two since 1895, there have been 235 games, with Wigan having won nearly double the number of games that St Helens have. Saints winning 83, drawing 11 and losing 141.[214] All competitive games, i.e. cup and league games combined, show that in the 366 games played, St Helens have won 141, there have been 19 draws and Wigan have won 206. They too have contested no fewer than 6 Challenge Cup Finals,[71][80][126][127][153][155] and have met in three Super League Grand Finals; St Helens winning 29–16 in 2000,[152] with Wigan initially gaining revenge in 2010, with a 22–10 win,[196] before Saints claimed the 2014 Super League Grand Final by a score of 14–6, taking a 2–1 lead in their Super League Grand Final head-to-heads. Wigan and St Helens have also met in 4 Premiership Finals, Wigan winning 3, St Helens once,[129][130][142][143] 3 Lancashire County Cup Finals, St Helens winning two, Wigan one,[128][215][216] and one Floodlit Trophy Final in 1968, Wigan winning 7–4.[217] The two have traditionally met each other in the Magic Weekend too. The two teams have a pretty even record, winning two (at Millennium Stadium in 2007 and 2008) and losing two (at Murrayfield in 2009 and Etihad Stadium in 2012), with one draw (at Millennium Stadium in 2011) in five ties.[218][219][220][221] St Helens greatest winning margin and the highest game score between the two in competitive football was a 75–0 win in a 2005 Challenge Cup Round 6 game.[222] Wigan's biggest win was a 65–12 win in Super League II, 1997.[223]

Super League record
Win Draw Loss
26 4 30

[224]

Bradford Bulls

Saints contested several finals in the modern game with Bradford Bulls, following up from their vast successes respectively in previous decades. When known as Bradford Northern, Bradford experienced their period of success largely in the 1940s, at a time when St Helens struggled to compete due to the commitments of World War II. In fact, it was only in the 1950s that St Helens won their first Challenge Cup and National League, and at this time, when St Helens were establishing themselves and improving in the 1950s, and 1960s, Bradford were disproving, and in fact folded in 1963. So the contest between the two can be doubted as a historical or traditional one. However, during the modern, Summer era, the game between the two gained prestige. The two contested consecutive Challenge Cup finals in 1996 and 1997,[225][226] and later in 2001,[227] St Helens winning all three. In Super League Grand Finals, St Helens and Bradford met twice, in 1999 and 2002, St Helens again winning all encounters.[228][229]

Super League record
Win Draw Loss
24 1 20

[230]

Leeds Rhinos

Leeds have arguably the strongest rivalry with St Helens, out of all the Yorkshire clubs that have a history with St Helens. They have contested the last three Super League finals,[170][175][179] but the rugby they have produced in recent years is considered amongst the best in Super League. The derby is also sometimes considered a contest in terms of pride between the two counties. Leeds and St Helens have also a historical background, contesting the 1971–72 and 1977–78 Challenge Cup Finals, each team winning one each.[231][232] However, the derby is often noted for its bad behaviour—on and off the field. Especially recently, with incidents like the Ryan Bailey "chicken wing" tackle on Maurie Fa'asavalu in 2008, the presence of James Graham when the two meet, as well as the numerous fights that have broke out between the two sets of players, the game is certainly regarded as a feisty one, as well as one that produces good-to-watch rugby. Such activities off the field and between games like fights between supporters, has led to some fans being discouraged from attending the fixture at Knowsley Road; shown by somewhat disappointing crowd figures, such as an example of 11,048 in 2010.[233]

Super League record
Win Draw Loss
24 0 23

[234]

Warrington Wolves

The other "big" North West club in Super League, Warrington, have also built up an anticipated derby contest with St Helens, particularly within Super League. As St Helens are unbeaten at Knowsley Road against the Wire since 1996, as well as boasting a generally impressive record against the Wolves in all meetings in Super League, the game is seen as an opportunity for Warrington to rectify their record against the Saints. In terms of cup and league final meetings; the two have met in two Lancashire Cup finals, St Helens winning once after a replay in 1967,[235] and one Premiership final, St Helens winning in 1977.[236] However, they remarkably have never met in Challenge Cup or Super League Finals. On 26 February 2011, Warrington Wolves beat St. Helens for the first time in 10 years ending the Saints Hoodoo over the club. The fixture was played at the Saints temporary home at Widnes. The Wolves also beat the Saints in the reverse fixture to do the league double for the first time in 17 years. In 2012 the Wolves beat St. Helens in the Grand Final elimination clash at Langtree Park to book the Warrington Wolves a place at the Grand Final.[237]

Super League record
Win Draw Loss
35 2 9

[238]

Associates

Junior rugby in St Helens

There is a massive[clarification needed] junior and youth contingent of rugby league players in St Helens. Clubs such as Thatto Heath and Blackbrook Royals have produced many of the former and current superstars in St Helens' squads over the years, and continue to do so.[239] Clubs in the St Helens area also include Bold Miners, Portico Vine, Pilkington Recs, Haydock Warriors, Newton Storm, Eccleston Lions and Haresfinch Hawks which provide players for St Helens through the junior years and the scholarship schemes at the club, before eventually signing professionally at 16. But St Helens' youth roots do not stop in the St Helens area. Indeed, club legend Keiron Cunningham signed for the club from Wigan St Judes,[240] and Saints also look to clubs like Wigan St Patricks and Orrell St James in the Wigan area, and Halton Farnworth Hornets in the Widnes area for youth talent. However, a criticism of the St Helens scouting system is that they tend not to look at players beyond the junior ages (6–16 years old), and talented players who continue into amateur rugby tend to be signed very rarely.

  •  

    Blackbrook Royals have a large contingent of players in St Helens first team squad.

  •  

    Keiron Cunningham, perhaps the prime example of St Helens deep roots in junior rugby

Feeder clubs

Without having strict feeder sides, such as the system that exists in Australasia, St Helens have, in the last 20 years, particularly with the inception of the dual—registration scheme in 2009, built up partnerships with Co-operative Championship sides like Widnes and Leigh.[241] St Helens have also been known to loan fringe players to "less strong" Super League sides such as Salford and Crusaders and previously Widnes. St Helens have also forged links with the Canada Rugby League (CRL) and their team Toronto City Saints, who have adopted the popular piece of St Helens insignia in their crest.[242] Outside of rugby league, St Helens have forged partnerships with British Basketball League side Mersey Tigers,[243] and English Premier Ice Hockey League team Manchester Phoenix.[244]

Supporters

 
St Helens fans in Perpignan 2016

St Helens are one of the best supported teams in Super League, averaging 11,543 according to 2014 figures.[245] Situated, prior to their recent move to Widnes, in Eccleston and Thatto Heath, a lot of support naturally derives from that area. Many strongholds of support also come from the Eastern side of the town; areas like Blackbrook, Haydock, and Parr. However, there exists considerable support towards Newton, Billinge and Ashton also. Their support is also not restricted to the town, with bases in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Northamptonshire, the South and North Wales.

The club also have their own supporters clubs, one for the club itself which has folded,[246] and one for fans in the South.[247] International, as well as national support is also strong with Saints. A recent survey showed fan bases in Australia, the United States, France, Spain, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, the Middle East, Chile and Greece. The club also have something of a fan base forming in the Far East, with fans from Singapore and Japan.[248][249]

[250]

Super League crowd averages

Year Average
1996 10,221[251]
1997 8,826[252]
1998 7,081[253]
1999 8,201[254]
2000 8,880[255]
2001 8,801[256]
2002 9,928[257]
2003 9,819[258]
2004 9,507[259]
2005 10,622[260]
2006 10,721[261]
2007 9,717[262]
2008 10,642[263]
2009 10,985[264]
2010 11,191[265]
2011 7,863[266]
2012 14,221[267]
2013 11,279[268]
2014 11,543[245]
2015 12,364[citation needed]
2016 10,711[269]
2017 10,749[270]
2018 11,478[271]

Notable fans

Colours and badge

Colours

 
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 striped blue and white jersey with blue shorts and socks. In their initial period at Knowsley Road, St Helens wore a similar jersey, but the stripes were horizontal, and the colours were blue and grey. These colours however were dropped in favour of a more traditional to today, red and white design. The jersey had a single broad red horizontal band, on a white background, and was used until 1961.

In the 1961 Challenge Cup final against Wigan, the strip still seen today—the famous red V—was first utilised.[71] In 1981, the club changed colours again, albeit temporarily, when Umbro designed and manufactured a French—style jersey of blue, with a white and red V. These colours were donned for two years, before the traditional colours were reverted to.

1985 saw the first jersey that was supported by a visible sponsor—St Helens Glass. Umbro were once again the designers of this varsity blue jersey with a royal blue vee—shaped chevron, a kit similar to the away kit of 2008. This was also the first jersey to feature the famous stickman of St Helens insignia. The 1985 New Zealand tour jersey was similar to the home shirt of 2009, sponsored also by Pilkington.

Between 1991 and 1994, a somewhat controversial and odd[according to whom?] design of jersey was employed, where the chevron that St Helens had now adopted in place of the traditional V finished three—quarters of the way down the shirt. Umbro remained the club's kit suppliers until 1994, when Stag took over. Their jerseys were far more lightweight than what they had replaced, and they chose to revert to a more conventional fashion of red V in their designs. The kit used first by the club was reverted to during their centenary year in 1995.

In 1997, yet another change of design that was controversial[according to whom?] with the fans, a kit that featured a white drop—down V with a black and red mesh design at the bottom of the jersey. This was Mizuno's first design, taking over from Stag. The traditional red V was once more reverted to, after the controversial design, with a more circular design used for the 1999 season. In 2000, a more regular V was seen again. In 2003, a triple—V design was seen, and the first to be used by long—serving kit designers Puma AG. 2004 saw a double curvy red V used, before, in 2005, yet again tradition was reverted to in the design and this design was used until 2009. The away strip used in 2005 was the famous blue strip with a dark blue V. 2009 saw the long red V of 1985's design appear again, before, in 2010, a casual thin red V was seen.

In 2010, the club used the first kit they played a rugby league game design as a commemorative strip, to celebrate their 110th and final year at the ground.[281] 2011 saw the Puma contract expire, and Australian manufacturing giants ISC take over the making of the jerseys.[282] This strip saw a somewhat shorter red vee, compared to the ventures of the design in 2009 and '10.[283]

Badge

 
The crest used by the club between 1996 and 2010
 
The crest used by the club in 2011

The club's jerseys were initially adorned by the town's coat of arms. This was utilised until 1985. However, as Saints became a more national institution, they decided that a more recognisable badge needed to be adopted. The 1985 season therefore saw the famous stickman of St Helens first used. This was used as the main jersey emblem until 1991, when the St Helens sports club emblem, not dissimilar to the coat of arms used previously, was seen. This was used until 1996, when, with the implement of Super League into the British rugby league calendar, Saints chose to display a badge that featured an overlapping "S" and "H" in red, with the club's name around the border. This was used until 2010,[281] when the club decided to unofficially rebrand to "Saints RL", to coincide with them leaving Knowsley Road, and going "on the road" to Widnes for a season. The new crest was in the shape of a shield, and featured the over lapping "S" and "H" that the previous logo featured, but also displayed a red vee within the design, and "Saints RL" in upper case lettering at the top of the shield. This new crest drew criticism from large sections of the St Helens faithful, who were afraid of the club losing its connection to the town to attract a wider fan base.[284]

Kit manufacturers and sponsors

Since 2015 St Helens' kit has been supplied by O'Neills.[285] Previous suppliers include Umbro (1986–94), Stag (1995–96), Mizuno Corporation (1997–99), Y2K (2000), Exito (2001–02), Puma (2003–10), and ISC (2011–14).

Their current main shirt sponsor is Home Bargains.[286] Previous main sponsors have included St Helens Glass (1986–87, 2000–01), McEwan's Lager (1987–98), John Smith's (1999), Caledonia (2002), Comodo (2003), All Sports (2004–05), Earth money (2006–07), Pilkington Activ (2008–09), Frontline (2010), Medicash (2011), Typhoo (2012 - 2016), RCMA Group (2017), and Cash Converters[287] (2018 - 2021). St. Helens were also sponsored by Gillette[288] for a one-off appearance at the 2004 Dubai Rugby 7s invitational.[289]

See Below:

Year Sponsor Manufacturer
1986 St Helens Glass Umbro
1987
1988 McEwan's Lager
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995 Stag
1996
1997 Mizuno
1998
1999 John Smith's
2000 St Helens Glass Y2K
2001 Excito
2002 Caledonia
2003 Comodo Puma
2004 All:Sports
2005
2006 Earth Money
2007
2008 Pilkington Activ
2009
2010 Frontline
2011 Medicash ISC
2012 Typhoo
2013
2014
2015 O'Neills
2016
2017 RCMA Group
2018 Cash Converters
2019
2020
2021
2022 Home Bargains
2023


Mascots

 
Boots before the Wigan derby in 2009

During the Super League era, the participating teams have adopted mascots and nicknames usually in alliteration with the name of their home town. Initially, the St Helens mascots were Bernard and Bernadette, St Bernard dogs; depicting something of a married couple with their on-field humorous antics. However, in 2009, the mascots changed to Boots and Bernard; happy and angry masculine characters. Bernard doesn't appear as often as Boots, with Boots being a more child-friendly image for the club, while Bernard retains the 'seriousness' of the mascots role to the club.[290]

Stadiums

Further information: Knowsley Road, Halton Stadium, and Totally Wicked Stadium
 
Knowsley Road from the Away End view
 
Halton Stadium

St Helens' former stadium was Knowsley Road, renamed in 2008 to the GPW Recruitment Stadium for sponsorship reasons.[1] Prior to this, in particular when St Helens were playing simply rugby football, they shared the City Ground with St Helens Recs. They left this stadium in 1890 for Knowsley Road and played there for 120 years. The ground at the time of its construction was considered modern, with one seated stand, and three standing areas that could, prior to strict safety regulations set in place, hold up to 40,000 people, shown by their record home crowd of 35,695 against Wigan in 1949.[2] In their first match at the new ground, St Helens beat Manchester Rangers, played under rugby football rules. After the great schism of 1895, and St Helens joining the NRFU, their first game at Knowsley Road under traditional rugby league rules was against Rochdale, in front of 3,000 spectators.[6] Over the years, however, age took its toll on the ground. Despite the big names like Meninga, van Vollenhoven, Lyon etc. coming to the club, it was constantly argued that, unlike other big clubs, St Helens did not have the stadium to suit their on—field talent. In 2006, the ground was treated to something of a makeover, after financial input from St Helens big money sponsors Earth Money. This aided the ground in gaining international rugby, with a fixture between Great Britain and New Zealand being held there in 2006. However, in 2008, St Helens were given a warning letter from the RFL, as a result of the ensuing licensing system that was to be introduced into Super League in 2009, stating that the quality of their current stadium was too poor for the expected quality of a licence in the league.[291] Thankfully for Saints, they were permitted by the council to begin construction on a new ground, and confirmed that they would move away from Knowsley Road in 2011.[292] It was announced that the new complex, to be built on an unused glass site in Peasley Cross, was to feature at least 12,000 seats, a large car park, and a Tesco store next to the ground. In addition to this, an iconic bridge, directly linking the ground to the town centre went under construction on 9 August 2010.[293] Whether the stadium would be ready for the beginning of the 2011 season was always uncertain, and grounds such as Leigh Sports Village were suggested to home Saints for the period between. However, the Halton Stadium, Widnes was the chosen venue for Saints for the 2011 season, and they will play all of their home games there before permanently relocating in 2012.[294] Saints currently play at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

2023 squad

2023 St Helens Squad
First team squad Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)
  • (gk) = Goal kicker

Updated: 27 October 2022
Source(s): [1]


2023 transfers

Gains

Player / Coach Club Contract Date
  Paul Wellens St. Helens RFC 2 Years October 2022[citation needed]
  Tee Ritson Barrow Raiders Season Loan November 2022[citation needed]
  Wesley Bruines South Sydney Rabbitohs 1 Year November 2022[citation needed]

Losses

Player / Coach Club Contract Date
  Regan Grace Racing 92 1 Year July 2022[295]
  Kyle Amor Widnes Vikings 1 Year July 2022[citation needed]
  Kristian Woolf Dolphins 2 Years September 2022[296]
  Tom Nisbet Leigh Leopards 1 Year October 2022[citation needed]
  Rio-Osayomwanbo Corkill October 2022[citation needed]
  Josh Simm Wynnum Manly Seagulls 1 Year October 2022[citation needed]
  Aaron Smith Leigh Leopards 2 Years October 2022[citation needed]

Players

See also: List of St Helens R.F.C. players

Notable former players

 
Francis Meli playing for Samoa whilst at St Helens

For all St Helens players with a Wikipedia article see List of St Helens RLFC past players. For all players who have gained international caps whilst playing for the club see List of St Helens RLFC international players.

Best ever 17

Throughout 2010, a select panel of fans, journalists, former players and club officials voted for the best 17 players ever to have played for St Helens, to commemorate the club's 120th and final year at Knowsley Road.[297]

Players receiving testimonial matches

18 players have had benefit years or testimonials at St Helens, organised jointly by the club and the RFL. They honour ten years at the club, and the most recent player to receive one was fullback Paul Wellens for 2010.[298]

Coaches and Board

Technical staff

Name Job title
  Paul Wellens Head Coach
  Laurent Frayssinous Assistant Head Coach
  Ian Talbot Assistant Head Coach
  Matt Daniels Head of Strength and Conditioning
  Adam Daniels Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
  Nathan Mill Rehab & Monitoring Co-Ordinator
  Adam Rowland Assistant Physio
  Derek Traynor ASSE Manager & Under 19's Coach
  Ian Harris Training Steward
  Sam Evans First Team Kit Man
  Neil Kilshaw Player Performance Manager
  Paul Johnson Club Chaplain
  Derek Jones Masseur
  Kel Coslett Gameday Manager
  Simon Perritt Club Doctor
  Steve Leonard RL Development Manager
  Derek Hardman Reserves Head Coach
  Liam Bostock Reserves Assistant Coach

[299]

Boardroom staff

Name Job title
  Eamonn McManus Chairman
  Mike Rush Chief Executive Officer
  Paul Sculthorpe Business Development Manager
  Steve Law Merchandising Manager
  Jamie Allen Media Manager
  Mark Onion Marketing Manager
  Steve Davis Head of Commercial Operations

[300]

List of former head coaches

Main article: List of St Helens R.F.C. coaches

Since the end of World War II, St Helens have seen 24 new bosses at the helm at Knowsley Road. Currently, the position is held by Kristian Woolf.

Seasons

Main article: List of St Helens R.F.C. seasons

Honours

Leagues

Winners (17): 1931–32, 1952–53, 1958–59, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1970–71, 1974–75, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
League Leaders' Shield
Winners (10):1996 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2022
Premiership
Winners (4): 1975–76, 1976–77, 1984–85, 1992–93
Winners (9): 1929–30, 1931–32, 1952–53, 1959–60, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1968–69
  • Western Division Championship
Winners (1): 1963–64

Cups

Winners (13): 1955–56, 1960–61, 1965–66, 1971–72, 1975–76, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2021
Winners (1): 1987–88
Winners (1): 1992–93
Winners (2): 1971–72, 1975–76
Winners (11): 1926–27, 1953–54, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1984–85, 1991–92

International

Winners (2): 2001, 2007

Records

Main article: List of St Helens R.F.C. statistics and records

Hall of Fame

Further information: St Helens R.F.C. Hall of Fame

Player records

Match records

Season records

Career records

Team records

Points margins

Attendances

See also

Bibliography

  • Service, Alex (June 2000). St Helens Rugby League. NPI Media Group. ISBN 978-0-7524-1883-4.
  • St Helens Heritage Society and Service, Alex (September 2006). St Helens RLFC:100 Great Players. NPI Media Group. ISBN 0-7524-4079-9.
  • Quirke and McCarthy, Andrew and Stephen (August 2001). Knowsley Road: Memories of St. Helens Rugby League Football Club. London League Publications Ltd. ISBN 1-903659-04-3.

References

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  4. ^ a b . saintsrlfc.com. 29 August 1873. Archived from the original on 22 July 2009. Retrieved 14 July 2009.
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  34. ^ "1920/1921 Northern Football Union League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 24 April 1921. Retrieved 2 August 2010.
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  42. ^ . BBC. 24 April 2003. Archived from the original on 16 February 2007. Retrieved 24 April 2003.
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January 19, 2023
helens, this, article, about, english, rugby, league, team, english, rugby, union, team, liverpool, helens, professional, rugby, league, club, helens, merseyside, compete, super, league, tier, rugby, league, great, britain, helensclub, informationfull, namest,. This article is about the English rugby league team For the English rugby union team see Liverpool St Helens F C St Helens R F C is a professional rugby league club in St Helens Merseyside who compete in the Super League the top tier for rugby league in Great Britain St HelensClub informationFull nameSt Helens Rugby Football ClubNickname s The SaintsThe Red VShort nameSaintsColoursWhite and redFounded1873 150 years ago 1873 Websitesaintsrlfc comCurrent detailsGround s Totally Wicked StadiumSt Helens Merseyside 18 000 ChairmanEamonn McManusCoachPaul WellensCaptainJames RobyCompetitionSuper League2022 seasonRegular Season 1st Play Offs ChampionsCurrent seasonUniformsHome coloursAway coloursRecordsChampionships17 1932 1953 1959 1966 1970 1971 1975 1996 1999 2000 2002 2006 2014 2019 2020 2021 2022 Challenge Cups13 1956 1961 1966 1972 1976 1996 1997 2001 2004 2006 2007 2008 2021 World Club Challenges2 2001 2007 Other honours35Most capped531 Kel CoslettHighest points scorer3 413 Kel CoslettThey are the current Champions having won the last 4 consecutive titles and become the first team in super league history to do so Formed in 1873 St Helens are one of the 22 original members of the Northern Rugby Football Union and have been league champions on 16 occasions 1 St Helens are also the third most successful side in the Challenge Cup with 13 wins in 23 Final appearances 2 St Helens are founding members of the Super League and are one of only four teams to have appeared in every season since its creation in 1996 Since 1961 the club s home colours have been white with a red V on the jersey St Helens play their home games at the Totally Wicked Stadium in St Helens having moved from their previous home Knowsley Road in 2012 Contents 1 History 1 1 Early years 1873 1945 1 2 Post war 1945 1979 1 3 The 1980s and early to mid 1990s 1 4 Summer era 1 4 1 Late 1990s 1 4 2 2000s 1 4 2 1 Millward s reign and a controversial sacking 2000 2005 1 4 2 2 The Anderson era 2005 2008 1 4 2 3 The Potter years 2009 2010 1 4 3 2010s 1 4 3 1 Beginning of a new era 2011 present 2 Academy 3 Women s side 4 Rivalries 4 1 Wigan Warriors 4 2 Bradford Bulls 4 3 Leeds Rhinos 4 4 Warrington Wolves 5 Associates 5 1 Junior rugby in St Helens 5 2 Feeder clubs 6 Supporters 6 1 Notable fans 7 Colours and badge 7 1 Colours 7 2 Badge 7 3 Kit manufacturers and sponsors 8 Mascots 9 Stadiums 10 2023 squad 11 2023 transfers 11 1 Gains 11 2 Losses 12 Players 12 1 Notable former players 12 1 1 Best ever 17 12 1 2 Players receiving testimonial matches 13 Coaches and Board 13 1 Technical staff 13 2 Boardroom staff 13 3 List of former head coaches 14 Seasons 15 Honours 15 1 Leagues 15 2 Cups 15 3 International 16 Records 16 1 Hall of Fame 16 2 Player records 16 2 1 Match records 16 2 2 Season records 16 2 3 Career records 16 3 Team records 16 3 1 Points margins 16 3 2 Attendances 17 See also 18 Bibliography 19 References 20 External linksHistory EditMain article History of St Helens R F C See also List of St Helens R F C seasons Early years 1873 1945 Edit St Helens pictured in the first ever Challenge Cup Final 1897 Batley left vs St Helens right St Helens are the oldest members of the Rugby Football League 3 Founded as St Helens Football Club on 19 November 1873 at the Fleece Hotel by William Douglas Herman 4 they played their first ever match on 31 January 1874 against Liverpool Royal Infirmary 5 They became known as St Helens Rangers up until the 1880s The club moved from the City Ground in 1890 where they had shared with St Helens Recs when neither were members of the Northern Rugby Football Union 4 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 3 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 6 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 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 7 8 with Dave Red Traynor scoring the lone St Helens try 9 St Helens 1897 Challenge Cup Final team11 Tom Winstanley Second row 12 Tom Reynolds Second row 14 Billy Briers FL 13 Peter Dale Loose forward 15 Bill Whiteley FL 7 Freddie Little Scrum half 6 Richard O Hara Stand off 4 Jim Barnes Centre 3 David Traynor Centre 5 Billy Jacques Wing 2 Bob Doherty Wing 1 Tom Foulkes Fullback Between 1897 and 1901 St Helens were not successful even generally considered a mid table side 10 11 12 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 13 In the 1901 02 season however they did finish third in the Lancashire league 14 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 15 Promotion was gained at the first attempt 16 only for another poor year to see them finish once again in a relegation position 17 However the two Divisions became one League to save the club from a second relegation 18 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 19 third to bottom in 1908 20 and consistently mid table between 1909 and 1913 21 22 23 24 25 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 26 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 27 28 29 with the club finishing mid table in the first year of the war 30 as well as being beaten by 37 points to 3 by Huddersfield in that year s Challenge Cup Final 31 The aftermath of the war was still taking its toll on national sport not merely the club s ability to compete and complete fixtures on 31 January 1918 close down due to a lack of finances following a 22 0 defeat by Widnes Saints re open on 25 December 1918 and are beaten 20 points to nil by St Helens Recs in a friendly fixture at City Road In the shortened 1918 1919 season St Helens played only nine times 32 The club s lack of success and disappointing league finishes continued for another seven seasons 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 The club defeated town rivals the Recs in the Lancashire County Cup Final by 10 points to 2 in the 1926 27 season 40 The season after they were trophyless finishing tenth in a 28 team league 41 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 7 42 They won their first ever National Championship in the 1931 32 season 43 defeating Huddersfield 9 5 in the final 44 This was the same season that they won their second Lancashire League 45 the first coming in the 1929 30 season 46 They lost the 1933 Lancashire Cup Final to Warrington 47 whilst finishing in no competitive position in the league once more 48 St Helens reached no finals or achieved any more honours during the remainder of the 1930s 2 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 49 Like during the First World War the club could not enjoy having a full time squad during the Second World War 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 50 and did not win any regional honours They finished bottom of the EWL in seasons 1942 43 51 and 1943 44 52 and next to bottom in 1944 45 53 Post war 1945 1979 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 54 55 56 57 58 The first two years of the 1950s the last two years of Peter Lyons reign also ended trophyless 59 60 The arrival of Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1952 61 heralded a successful era for St Helens and helped to establish the club as a respected force in British and eventually world rugby league Under Sullivan St Helens reached and lost the 1952 53 Challenge Cup final 62 They didn t have long to wait for trophies as St Helens won the Lancashire Leagues in 1952 53 63 The 1953 Championship final against Halifax was held at Manchester City s Maine Road ground in front of a crowd of over 50 000 Saints won their second Championship 24 14 They also won the 1953 Lancashire Cup beating Wigan 16 8 at Swinton the first time the two old rivals had clashed in a major final Saints Sullivan took Saints to their first victory in the Challenge Cup final against Halifax in 1956 7 64 On Saturday 24 November 1956 St Helens inflicted a touring Australia its biggest ever defeat with a 44 2 win 65 The following year saw Saints win the 1956 7 Lancashire League 1956 57 66 and they won it again in 1958 59 67 Sullivan s second championship came in 1958 59 68 A second Lancashire County Cup came in 1960 61 69 The now synonymous red vee of St Helens still used today was first seen in the 1961 Challenge Cup Final Ex St Helens captain and prop forward Alan Prescott took over from Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1959 61 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 Cliff Watson Ray French 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 7 71 and the kit has since become synonymous with the club Mick Sullivan joined Saints for 11 000 then a record transfer fee citation needed They won the Lancashire Cup in the 1961 62 season with a 25 9 success over Swinton at Central Park Wigan seeing yet more silverware come 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 the latter success under coach Joe Coan 75 St Helens won the Western Division Championship under McCormick s rule beating Swinton 10 7 76 St Helens under coach Joe Coan lost the 1964 65 Championship final to Halifax at Station Road Swinton 77 The 1965 New Zealand tourists appeared at Knowsley Road on Wednesday 15 September Saints inflicted a 28 7 defeat on their visitors 78 their biggest loss of the tour A League 79 and Cup 7 80 double was achieved under Coan in the 1965 66 season whilst they lost the Floodlit Trophy final against Castleford 81 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 82 after a 7 7 draw 4 days earlier 83 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 84 St Helens retained the Lancashire Cup the year later 85 whilst also winning the Lancashire League for being the highest placed Lancashire side in the National standings 86 and they also reached the final of the Floodlit Trophy that season where they were beaten 7 4 by Wigan 87 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 88 The 1970s were also seen as a successful spell for St Helens as they reached three Challenge Cup finals in the period Jim Challinor took over from Cliff Evans in 1970 and in his first season he won the Championship 89 90 and reached two finals the Lancashire Cup and Floodlit Trophy losing both 91 92 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 93 94 In their first Challenge Cup Final of the 1970s they defeated Leeds in 1972 16 13 7 95 in addition to winning their first Floodlit Trophy after losing out in the final three times before with an 8 2 win over Rochdale 96 The club reached the Championship final in that season but were beaten 97 No success was achieved in seasons 1972 73 and 1973 74 with St Helens finishing third and second in the respective years 98 99 This could be a possible reason for Jim Challinor s replacement with Eric Ashton as head coach 61 In Ashton s first season in charge St Helens won the Championship 100 and contested the inaugural Premiership Final losing 26 11 to Leeds 101 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 7 102 They also won the Premiership against Salford 103 and the Floodlit Trophy against Dewsbury in a successful season 104 In the same year St Helens lost to Eastern Suburbs in an unofficial World Club Challenge Final by 25 points to 2 105 The club won the Premiership in 1977 106 but on 13 December 1977 Saints lost 26 11 to Hull Kingston Rovers in the final of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy 107 In 1978 Leeds avenged their 1972 loss against St Helens emerging winners by 14 12 7 108 St Helens lost the Floodlit Trophy in the 1978 79 season going down to Widnes 109 The 1979 80 season was unsuccessful with St Helens finishing mid table 110 Eric Ashton left the club after this disappointing year 61 The 1980s and early to mid 1990s Edit Former club player and Welsh international Kel Coslett took over as coach in June 1980 61 111 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 112 113 He held the post for two years before handing over to Billy Benyon 61 114 Not in keeping with several of his predecessors Benyon did not enjoy any success in his first season as St Helens coach losing the Lancashire Cup final of that year to Warrington 115 Nothing was won in the 1983 84 season 116 but Saints won back the Lancashire Cup with a 26 18 win at Wigan in the 1984 85 season 117 They also won the Premiership in the same season with a 36 16 victory over defending champions Hull Kingston Rovers at Elland Road in Leeds The 1984 85 season saw the arrival for one season only of giant Australian international centre Mal Meninga who quickly became a crowd favourite at Knowsley Road 118 In Benyon s last season as coach 1985 86 nothing was won 119 The arrival of Alex Murphy as coach in 1986 61 120 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 defeat by Halifax in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley 19 18 in 1987 121 Success was achieved in 1988 when St Helens lifted their one and only John Player Trophy with a 15 14 victory over Leeds in January 1988 at Central Park Wigan 122 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 team s ability to get to finals and not be able to compete on the best stage 123 Nothing was achieved in the next two seasons 124 125 including a defeat in the 1989 Challenge Cup Final 126 and Murphy stood down as coach Murphy was succeeded by Mike McClennan in February 1990 61 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 127 They won the Lancashire Cup in the 1991 92 season beating Rochdale Hornets 128 They also lost the Premiership Final that season losing to Wigan 129 In 1993 the club avenged their defeat by Wigan the season previous to win the Premiership 130 in the same season that they won the Charity Shield 131 and lost the Lancashire Cup final 132 McClennan was head coach until December 1993 when Eric Hughes succeeded him as head coach in 1994 61 Under Hughes St Helens only reached the one Regal Trophy Final where they lost to Wigan in 1996 by 25 to 16 133 They finished fourth in both of Hughes seasons in charge 134 135 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 61 Summer era Edit Following on from their most constant ambition for successes first experienced really in the 1960s 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 eight 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 136 They also won the World Club Challenge in 2001 and 2007 beating Brisbane both times 137 138 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 139 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 140 and 1997 141 St Helens lost consecutive Premiership finals to Wigan in 1996 142 and 1997 143 1998 proved to be a trophyless year 144 and Ellery Hanley succeeded McRae in 1999 after the Australian left for new Super League side Gateshead 61 Hanley led Saints to Grand Final success against Bradford in October of his first year in charge 136 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 145 Ian Millward was appointed as Hanley s successor as head coach 61 2000s Edit Millward s reign and a controversial sacking 2000 2005 Edit St Helens defeated Wigan Warriors 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 146 but lead them to retaining their Super League title in 2000 beating Wigan 29 16 147 They also won the Challenge Cup in 2001 13 6 over Bradford 148 with the final held at Twickenham Stadium for the first time 149 and the 2001 World Club Challenge earning a 20 18 win over the Broncos 137 150 Millward then lead Saints to the top of Super League VII and to reclaim the Super League title in the 2002 Grand Final 151 Sean Long snatching a last minute 19 18 win over the Bradford with a drop goal 152 They lost the 2002 Challenge Cup Final to Wigan at Murrayfield Stadium by 21 points to 12 153 They were hammered in the 2003 World Club Challenge by Sydney by 38 points to 0 154 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 155 Long gaining his second of an eventual three Lance Todd Trophies 156 Millward s reign was not without controversy and his St Helens career ended controversially after he was suspended in May 2005 157 He was sacked for gross misconduct a week later 158 Daniel Anderson was appointed as coach 61 Millward was then made coach of archrivals Wigan 159 The Anderson era 2005 2008 Edit St Helens lifting the Challenge Cup trophy after the 2006 Final Daniel Anderson saw his new team become the first team to top the Super League and fail to reach Old Trafford in 2005 160 161 However St Helens won the 2006 Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium beating Huddersfield 42 12 162 Scrum half Sean Long was awarded the Lance Todd trophy for a record third time for his man of the match performance during the final 156 St Helens followed up their Challenge Cup win by claiming the League Leader s Shield 163 before cementing their reputation as the team of the year by defeating Hull 26 points to 4 in the Super League Grand Final 164 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 165 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 166 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 138 St Helens 2007 World Club Championship winning team8 Nick Fozzard PR 14 James Roby HK 10 Jason Cayless PR 11 Lee Gilmour SR 15 Mike Bennett SR 12 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 Substitutes9 Keiron Cunningham HK 18 Bryn Hargreaves PR 13 Paul Sculthorpe LF 17 James Graham PR In July they beat Super League rivals Bradford 167 to reach the first Challenge Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium 168 Here St Helens successfully defended their Challenge Cup by defeating Catalans Dragons 30 8 in the final on 25 August 2007 169 They were beaten in the Grand Final that year by Leeds by 33 points to 6 170 despite finishing at the top of the league ladder for the third successive season 171 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 16 172 Paul Wellens received the Lance Todd Trophy after sharing the award with team mate Leon Pryce the year earlier 156 They also achieved first place again in the 2008 Super League season for the fourth year running 173 winning the League Leaders Shield and beat Leeds 38 10 for the right to go to Old Trafford to contest the Grand Final 174 However St Helens were once again defeated by Leeds in the Grand Final by a margin of 24 to 16 on 4 October 2008 175 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 the Catalans Dragons to a record high third placed finish in the league On 9 August 2009 St Helens reached a record ninth consecutive Challenge Cup semi final 176 where they were beaten by 24 points to 14 by the Huddersfield Giants 177 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 the Wigan Warriors to book their place at a fourth consecutive Super League Grand Final 178 only to lose out to the Leeds Rhinos in the final 18 10 making the Leeds Rhinos the only team to win the Grand Final three times consecutively A 20 year old Kyle Eastmond scored all of Saints points 179 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 James Roby in 2010 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 180 as well as the continued fan rejection saw him let his contract run out and initially seek a job in the NRL 181 182 183 but eventually and perhaps surprisingly join Bradford on a two year contract 184 Names like Royce Simmons 185 Mal Meninga 186 and assistant coach Kieron Purtill 187 were linked with the job for 2011 Simmons was the chosen man for the job as announced on 22 July 2010 188 189 The 2010 season would also see legendary 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 190 191 He would additionally take up a coaching role with the academy as well as a strength and conditioning role with the first team 188 In light of these decisions neither Cunningham nor Potter halted their personal and the St Helens team quest for success shown by their tenth successive semi final appearance in the Challenge Cup 192 However Saints failure to perform on the big stage was once more shown going down in this semi final by 32 28 193 Defeating Huddersfield Giants 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 Fittingly Cunningham snatched the final ever try at the famous old ground in typical fashion from dummy half 194 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 195 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 196 It was not the romantic finish to the Saints careers of Potter Cunningham or any of the departing members of the squad that many had hoped for but nevertheless a new era was just around the corner as Simmons reign began Beginning of a new era 2011 present Edit This section has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This section does not cite any sources Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed April 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message This section needs to be updated Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information August 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message Australian Royce Simmons took over from compatriot Mick Potter for the start of the 2011 season As the club awaited completion of the new stadium all home fixtures in 2011 were played at the Halton Stadium in Widnes effectively meaning St Helens were forced to play an entire season of away fixtures In addition they suffered upheaval in terms of the playing squad having already lost the influential Cunningham to retirement and other club legends like Sean Long the start of the season was overshadowed by the news that Kyle Eastmond who had been earmarked as Long s replacement and inspirational leader James Graham were both looking to leave the club A number of serious injuries to further key players such as Leon Pryce and Ade Gardner meant the team was facing an uphill battle on the field all season However despite all the problems faced St Helens defied the odds to reach their 11th Challenge Cup semi final in a row and at the end of the season they qualified for their sixth consecutive Grand Final However for the fifth year in a row they were on the losing side as the injury plagued squad finally succumbed to Leeds However the 2011 season saw the emergence of a new crop of talent with players such as Jonny Lomax and Lee Gaskell stepping up to fill the gaps left by senior players and earning rave reviews for their performances according to whom In 2012 the club moved into their new home at Langtree Park However the season started with a terrible run of results which culminated in Royce Simmons being sacked in March With assistant coach Kieron Purtill also leaving the coaching reins were taken up by youth coach Mike Rush for the remainder of the 2012 season with Keiron Cunningham acting as his assistant Following St Helens s defeat by Wigan in the quarter final of the Challenge Cup which ended a run of 11 consecutive semi final appearances it was announced that Nathan Brown would be taking over as head coach for 2013 with Rush moving back into his previous role At the end of the Super League XIX regular season St Helens claimed the League Leaders Shield and reached the 2014 Super League Grand Final against Wigan where they won the match 14 6 claiming their 13th premiership 197 In the Super League XXIII season St Helens claimed the League Leader s Shield and Ben Barba who had joined the club that year won the Man of Steel award St Helens were favourites to reach another grand final but were upset in the preliminary final by Warrington 18 13 at Langtree Park 198 During the Super League XXIV season St Helens reached the Challenge Cup final against Warrington but lost the match 18 4 at Wembley Stadium 199 At the end of the Super League XXIV regular season St Helens won the League Leader s Shield for a second consecutive year after finished 16 points clear of second placed Wigan 200 St Helens would go on to reach the 2019 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford against Salford St Helens won the match 23 6 securing their 14th championship 201 At the end of the 2020 season St Helens finished second behind league leaders Wigan After easily accounting for Catalans Dragons in the semi final St Helens played against Wigan in the 2020 Super League Grand Final With only seconds remaining and with the scores locked at 4 4 St Helens scored a try after the siren through Jack Welsby to win back to back championships in the most dramatic of circumstances 202 On 17 July 2021 St Helens won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 13 years beating Castleford in the final 26 12 St Helens had trailed the match at half time 12 6 203 St Helens finished the 2021 Super League season in second place on the table 204 They then went on to defeat Catalan Dragons 12 10 in a hotly contested Grand Final securing the club s first league and cup double since 2006 and an historic three peat becoming only the second team in the summer era to win three consecutive championships 205 St Helens ended the 2022 regular season as League Leaders thus earning them a bye to the semi finals They beat Salford 19 12 to reach their 4th consecutive Grand Final They faced Leeds in the Grand Final after Leeds beat Catalans in the eliminators and Wigan in the semi final St Helens won the match 24 12 to win their fourth final in a row and by doing so they become the first team in Super League history to win four in a row 206 Academy EditMain article St Helens R F C Academy The St Helens academy has produced some of the finest youngsters potential stars and internationals the world of rugby league has seen Although initially players were signed either from other clubs or would go straight into first team reckoning after being signed from their amateur club at a much later age than today s system as the game became more widespread in the town across the North West and nationally a system had to be introduced in order to suffice the amount of youth talent that the club homed More early examples of players that made the grade following on form their stints in the academy and reserves previously known as the St Helens Colts include Steve Prescott 207 Paul Forber 208 Gary Connolly 209 and Chris Arkwright 210 St Helens traditional policy with youth was to make them better players for the club Now however it can be argued that Saints look to make them internationals with no less than five of the current St Helens squad s youth products having gone on to represent either Great Britain or England or both St Helens youth policy does not operate solely in the borough boundaries of the town Indeed many of St Helens current and past squads call areas like Widnes Wigan Cumbria and Oldham home St Helens have also branched even into rugby union territory and other wider national areas for youth players most recently Daniel Brotherton a winger from Northampton signed a professional contract with the club and has made great strides in the under 18s after his signing from Northampton Demons 211 212 Women s side EditMain article St Helens R F C WomenRivalries EditWigan Warriors Edit St Helens against Wigan in the semi final play off eliminator in 2009 Main article St Helens R F C Wigan Warriors rivalry There is a strong rivalry between St Helens and Wigan the local derby between the two clubs has been traditionally regarded as the biggest in British rugby league as well as one of the oldest in world rugby league 213 Both being founder members of the Northern Rugby Football Union the derby has been played since 1895 making it amongst the most historical derbys in both British and global rugby league Remarkably the first encounter between the fierce rivals ended in a 0 0 draw at Knowsley Road 213 The games were traditionally played on Boxing Day however were moved to Good Friday during the busy Easter period in rugby league More recently the game was even played on Maundy Thursday in Super League In all league encounters between the two since 1895 there have been 235 games with Wigan having won nearly double the number of games that St Helens have Saints winning 83 drawing 11 and losing 141 214 All competitive games i e cup and league games combined show that in the 366 games played St Helens have won 141 there have been 19 draws and Wigan have won 206 They too have contested no fewer than 6 Challenge Cup Finals 71 80 126 127 153 155 and have met in three Super League Grand Finals St Helens winning 29 16 in 2000 152 with Wigan initially gaining revenge in 2010 with a 22 10 win 196 before Saints claimed the 2014 Super League Grand Final by a score of 14 6 taking a 2 1 lead in their Super League Grand Final head to heads Wigan and St Helens have also met in 4 Premiership Finals Wigan winning 3 St Helens once 129 130 142 143 3 Lancashire County Cup Finals St Helens winning two Wigan one 128 215 216 and one Floodlit Trophy Final in 1968 Wigan winning 7 4 217 The two have traditionally met each other in the Magic Weekend too The two teams have a pretty even record winning two at Millennium Stadium in 2007 and 2008 and losing two at Murrayfield in 2009 and Etihad Stadium in 2012 with one draw at Millennium Stadium in 2011 in five ties 218 219 220 221 St Helens greatest winning margin and the highest game score between the two in competitive football was a 75 0 win in a 2005 Challenge Cup Round 6 game 222 Wigan s biggest win was a 65 12 win in Super League II 1997 223 Super League recordWin Draw Loss26 4 30 224 Bradford Bulls Edit Saints contested several finals in the modern game with Bradford Bulls following up from their vast successes respectively in previous decades When known as Bradford Northern Bradford experienced their period of success largely in the 1940s at a time when St Helens struggled to compete due to the commitments of World War II In fact it was only in the 1950s that St Helens won their first Challenge Cup and National League and at this time when St Helens were establishing themselves and improving in the 1950s and 1960s Bradford were disproving and in fact folded in 1963 So the contest between the two can be doubted as a historical or traditional one However during the modern Summer era the game between the two gained prestige The two contested consecutive Challenge Cup finals in 1996 and 1997 225 226 and later in 2001 227 St Helens winning all three In Super League Grand Finals St Helens and Bradford met twice in 1999 and 2002 St Helens again winning all encounters 228 229 Super League recordWin Draw Loss24 1 20 230 Leeds Rhinos Edit Leeds have arguably the strongest rivalry with St Helens out of all the Yorkshire clubs that have a history with St Helens They have contested the last three Super League finals 170 175 179 but the rugby they have produced in recent years is considered amongst the best in Super League The derby is also sometimes considered a contest in terms of pride between the two counties Leeds and St Helens have also a historical background contesting the 1971 72 and 1977 78 Challenge Cup Finals each team winning one each 231 232 However the derby is often noted for its bad behaviour on and off the field Especially recently with incidents like the Ryan Bailey chicken wing tackle on Maurie Fa asavalu in 2008 the presence of James Graham when the two meet as well as the numerous fights that have broke out between the two sets of players the game is certainly regarded as a feisty one as well as one that produces good to watch rugby Such activities off the field and between games like fights between supporters has led to some fans being discouraged from attending the fixture at Knowsley Road shown by somewhat disappointing crowd figures such as an example of 11 048 in 2010 233 Super League recordWin Draw Loss24 0 23 234 Warrington Wolves Edit The other big North West club in Super League Warrington have also built up an anticipated derby contest with St Helens particularly within Super League As St Helens are unbeaten at Knowsley Road against the Wire since 1996 as well as boasting a generally impressive record against the Wolves in all meetings in Super League the game is seen as an opportunity for Warrington to rectify their record against the Saints In terms of cup and league final meetings the two have met in two Lancashire Cup finals St Helens winning once after a replay in 1967 235 and one Premiership final St Helens winning in 1977 236 However they remarkably have never met in Challenge Cup or Super League Finals On 26 February 2011 Warrington Wolves beat St Helens for the first time in 10 years ending the Saints Hoodoo over the club The fixture was played at the Saints temporary home at Widnes The Wolves also beat the Saints in the reverse fixture to do the league double for the first time in 17 years In 2012 the Wolves beat St Helens in the Grand Final elimination clash at Langtree Park to book the Warrington Wolves a place at the Grand Final 237 Super League recordWin Draw Loss35 2 9 238 Associates EditJunior rugby in St Helens Edit There is a massive clarification needed junior and youth contingent of rugby league players in St Helens Clubs such as Thatto Heath and Blackbrook Royals have produced many of the former and current superstars in St Helens squads over the years and continue to do so 239 Clubs in the St Helens area also include Bold Miners Portico Vine Pilkington Recs Haydock Warriors Newton Storm Eccleston Lions and Haresfinch Hawks which provide players for St Helens through the junior years and the scholarship schemes at the club before eventually signing professionally at 16 But St Helens youth roots do not stop in the St Helens area Indeed club legend Keiron Cunningham signed for the club from Wigan St Judes 240 and Saints also look to clubs like Wigan St Patricks and Orrell St James in the Wigan area and Halton Farnworth Hornets in the Widnes area for youth talent However a criticism of the St Helens scouting system is that they tend not to look at players beyond the junior ages 6 16 years old and talented players who continue into amateur rugby tend to be signed very rarely Blackbrook Royals have a large contingent of players in St Helens first team squad Keiron Cunningham perhaps the prime example of St Helens deep roots in junior rugbyFeeder clubs Edit Without having strict feeder sides such as the system that exists in Australasia St Helens have in the last 20 years particularly with the inception of the dual registration scheme in 2009 built up partnerships with Co operative Championship sides like Widnes and Leigh 241 St Helens have also been known to loan fringe players to less strong Super League sides such as Salford and Crusaders and previously Widnes St Helens have also forged links with the Canada Rugby League CRL and their team Toronto City Saints who have adopted the popular piece of St Helens insignia in their crest 242 Outside of rugby league St Helens have forged partnerships with British Basketball League side Mersey Tigers 243 and English Premier Ice Hockey League team Manchester Phoenix 244 Supporters Edit St Helens fans in Perpignan 2016 St Helens are one of the best supported teams in Super League averaging 11 543 according to 2014 figures 245 Situated prior to their recent move to Widnes in Eccleston and Thatto Heath a lot of support naturally derives from that area Many strongholds of support also come from the Eastern side of the town areas like Blackbrook Haydock and Parr However there exists considerable support towards Newton Billinge and Ashton also Their support is also not restricted to the town with bases in Liverpool Manchester Birmingham Northamptonshire the South and North Wales The club also have their own supporters clubs one for the club itself which has folded 246 and one for fans in the South 247 International as well as national support is also strong with Saints A recent survey showed fan bases in Australia the United States France Spain Ireland Scotland Canada the Middle East Chile and Greece The club also have something of a fan base forming in the Far East with fans from Singapore and Japan 248 249 250 Super League crowd averages Year Average1996 10 221 251 1997 8 826 252 1998 7 081 253 1999 8 201 254 2000 8 880 255 2001 8 801 256 2002 9 928 257 2003 9 819 258 2004 9 507 259 2005 10 622 260 2006 10 721 261 2007 9 717 262 2008 10 642 263 2009 10 985 264 2010 11 191 265 2011 7 863 266 2012 14 221 267 2013 11 279 268 2014 11 543 245 2015 12 364 citation needed 2016 10 711 269 2017 10 749 270 2018 11 478 271 Notable fans Edit David Bernstein former Chairman of The Football Association 272 Rob Broughton professional mixed martial artist of the Ultimate Fighting Championship 273 Stephen Bunting professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation Gordon Burns retired television broadcaster Tim Cahill Australia and Everton F C footballer 274 Dave Chisnall professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation 275 Ricky Hatton retired welterweight champion boxer 276 Phil Lesh bass player with The Grateful Dead Craig Lyon bantamweight boxer 277 Martin Murray Commonwealth middleweight champion boxer 278 Ray Peacock comedian and actor Michael Smith professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation Ricky Tomlinson actor 279 Johnny Vegas actor and comedian 280 Colours and badge EditColours 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 striped blue and white jersey with blue shorts and socks In their initial period at Knowsley Road St Helens wore a similar jersey but the stripes were horizontal and the colours were blue and grey These colours however were dropped in favour of a more traditional to today red and white design The jersey had a single broad red horizontal band on a white background and was used until 1961 In the 1961 Challenge Cup final against Wigan the strip still seen today the famous red V was first utilised 71 In 1981 the club changed colours again albeit temporarily when Umbro designed and manufactured a French style jersey of blue with a white and red V These colours were donned for two years before the traditional colours were reverted to 1985 saw the first jersey that was supported by a visible sponsor St Helens Glass Umbro were once again the designers of this varsity blue jersey with a royal blue vee shaped chevron a kit similar to the away kit of 2008 This was also the first jersey to feature the famous stickman of St Helens insignia The 1985 New Zealand tour jersey was similar to the home shirt of 2009 sponsored also by Pilkington Between 1991 and 1994 a somewhat controversial and odd according to whom design of jersey was employed where the chevron that St Helens had now adopted in place of the traditional V finished three quarters of the way down the shirt Umbro remained the club s kit suppliers until 1994 when Stag took over Their jerseys were far more lightweight than what they had replaced and they chose to revert to a more conventional fashion of red V in their designs The kit used first by the club was reverted to during their centenary year in 1995 In 1997 yet another change of design that was controversial according to whom with the fans a kit that featured a white drop down V with a black and red mesh design at the bottom of the jersey This was Mizuno s first design taking over from Stag The traditional red V was once more reverted to after the controversial design with a more circular design used for the 1999 season In 2000 a more regular V was seen again In 2003 a triple V design was seen and the first to be used by long serving kit designers Puma AG 2004 saw a double curvy red V used before in 2005 yet again tradition was reverted to in the design and this design was used until 2009 The away strip used in 2005 was the famous blue strip with a dark blue V 2009 saw the long red V of 1985 s design appear again before in 2010 a casual thin red V was seen In 2010 the club used the first kit they played a rugby league game design as a commemorative strip to celebrate their 110th and final year at the ground 281 2011 saw the Puma contract expire and Australian manufacturing giants ISC take over the making of the jerseys 282 This strip saw a somewhat shorter red vee compared to the ventures of the design in 2009 and 10 283 Very early kit Kit until 1961 1961 present Badge Edit The crest used by the club between 1996 and 2010 The crest used by the club in 2011 The club s jerseys were initially adorned by the town s coat of arms This was utilised until 1985 However as Saints became a more national institution they decided that a more recognisable badge needed to be adopted The 1985 season therefore saw the famous stickman of St Helens first used This was used as the main jersey emblem until 1991 when the St Helens sports club emblem not dissimilar to the coat of arms used previously was seen This was used until 1996 when with the implement of Super League into the British rugby league calendar Saints chose to display a badge that featured an overlapping S and H in red with the club s name around the border This was used until 2010 281 when the club decided to unofficially rebrand to Saints RL to coincide with them leaving Knowsley Road and going on the road to Widnes for a season The new crest was in the shape of a shield and featured the over lapping S and H that the previous logo featured but also displayed a red vee within the design and Saints RL in upper case lettering at the top of the shield This new crest drew criticism from large sections of the St Helens faithful who were afraid of the club losing its connection to the town to attract a wider fan base 284 Kit manufacturers and sponsors Edit Since 2015 St Helens kit has been supplied by O Neills 285 Previous suppliers include Umbro 1986 94 Stag 1995 96 Mizuno Corporation 1997 99 Y2K 2000 Exito 2001 02 Puma 2003 10 and ISC 2011 14 Their current main shirt sponsor is Home Bargains 286 Previous main sponsors have included St Helens Glass 1986 87 2000 01 McEwan s Lager 1987 98 John Smith s 1999 Caledonia 2002 Comodo 2003 All Sports 2004 05 Earth money 2006 07 Pilkington Activ 2008 09 Frontline 2010 Medicash 2011 Typhoo 2012 2016 RCMA Group 2017 and Cash Converters 287 2018 2021 St Helens were also sponsored by Gillette 288 for a one off appearance at the 2004 Dubai Rugby 7s invitational 289 See Below Year Sponsor Manufacturer1986 St Helens Glass Umbro19871988 McEwan s Lager1989199019911992199319941995 Stag19961997 Mizuno19981999 John Smith s2000 St Helens Glass Y2K2001 Excito2002 Caledonia2003 Comodo Puma2004 All Sports20052006 Earth Money20072008 Pilkington Activ20092010 Frontline2011 Medicash ISC2012 Typhoo201320142015 O Neills20162017 RCMA Group2018 Cash Converters2019202020212022 Home Bargains2023Mascots Edit Boots before the Wigan derby in 2009 During the Super League era the participating teams have adopted mascots and nicknames usually in alliteration with the name of their home town Initially the St Helens mascots were Bernard and Bernadette St Bernard dogs depicting something of a married couple with their on field humorous antics However in 2009 the mascots changed to Boots and Bernard happy and angry masculine characters Bernard doesn t appear as often as Boots with Boots being a more child friendly image for the club while Bernard retains the seriousness of the mascots role to the club 290 Stadiums EditFurther information Knowsley Road Halton Stadium and Totally Wicked Stadium Knowsley Road from the Away End view Halton Stadium St Helens former stadium was Knowsley Road renamed in 2008 to the GPW Recruitment Stadium for sponsorship reasons 1 Prior to this in particular when St Helens were playing simply rugby football they shared the City Ground with St Helens Recs They left this stadium in 1890 for Knowsley Road and played there for 120 years The ground at the time of its construction was considered modern with one seated stand and three standing areas that could prior to strict safety regulations set in place hold up to 40 000 people shown by their record home crowd of 35 695 against Wigan in 1949 2 In their first match at the new ground St Helens beat Manchester Rangers played under rugby football rules After the great schism of 1895 and St Helens joining the NRFU their first game at Knowsley Road under traditional rugby league rules was against Rochdale in front of 3 000 spectators 6 Over the years however age took its toll on the ground Despite the big names like Meninga van Vollenhoven Lyon etc coming to the club it was constantly argued that unlike other big clubs St Helens did not have the stadium to suit their on field talent In 2006 the ground was treated to something of a makeover after financial input from St Helens big money sponsors Earth Money This aided the ground in gaining international rugby with a fixture between Great Britain and New Zealand being held there in 2006 However in 2008 St Helens were given a warning letter from the RFL as a result of the ensuing licensing system that was to be introduced into Super League in 2009 stating that the quality of their current stadium was too poor for the expected quality of a licence in the league 291 Thankfully for Saints they were permitted by the council to begin construction on a new ground and confirmed that they would move away from Knowsley Road in 2011 292 It was announced that the new complex to be built on an unused glass site in Peasley Cross was to feature at least 12 000 seats a large car park and a Tesco store next to the ground In addition to this an iconic bridge directly linking the ground to the town centre went under construction on 9 August 2010 293 Whether the stadium would be ready for the beginning of the 2011 season was always uncertain and grounds such as Leigh Sports Village were suggested to home Saints for the period between However the Halton Stadium Widnes was the chosen venue for Saints for the 2011 season and they will play all of their home games there before permanently relocating in 2012 294 Saints currently play at the Totally Wicked Stadium 2023 squad Edit2023 St Helens Squadviewtalkedit First team squad Coaching staff1 Jack Welsby FB SO CE 2 Tommy Makinson vc WG gk 3 Will Hopoate FB CE WG 4 Mark Percival CE WG 5 Jon Bennison WG FB 6 Jonny Lomax SO SH FB 7 Lewis Dodd SH gk 8 Alex Walmsley PR 9 James Roby c HK 10 Matty Lees PR 11 Sione Mata utia SR CE 12 Joe Batchelor SR 13 Morgan Knowles LF SR 14 Joey Lussick HK 15 Louie McCarthy Scarsbrook PR LF 16 Curtis Sironen SR 17 Agnatius Paasi PR 18 Jake Wingfield LF PR 19 James Bell LF SR 20 Dan Norman PR 21 Ben Davies CE SO 22 Sam Royle SR 23 Konrad Hurrell CE 24 Lewis Baxter LF SR 25 Tee Ritson WG 26 Daniel Hill CE FB WG 27 Jumah Sambou WG CE 28 Matty Foster SR 29 Taylor Pemberton HK 30 George Delaney PR 31 Daniel Moss SH FB 32 Ben Lane SO FB WG 33 McKenzie Buckley PR 34 Wesley Bruines CE Head coach Paul WellensAssistant coaches Laurent Frayssinous Ian TalbotLegend c Captain s vc Vice captain s gk Goal kickerUpdated 27 October 2022Source s 1 2023 transfers EditGains Edit Player Coach Club Contract Date Paul Wellens St Helens RFC 2 Years October 2022 citation needed Tee Ritson Barrow Raiders Season Loan November 2022 citation needed Wesley Bruines South Sydney Rabbitohs 1 Year November 2022 citation needed Losses Edit Player Coach Club Contract Date Regan Grace Racing 92 1 Year July 2022 295 Kyle Amor Widnes Vikings 1 Year July 2022 citation needed Kristian Woolf Dolphins 2 Years September 2022 296 Tom Nisbet Leigh Leopards 1 Year October 2022 citation needed Rio Osayomwanbo Corkill October 2022 citation needed Josh Simm Wynnum Manly Seagulls 1 Year October 2022 citation needed Aaron Smith Leigh Leopards 2 Years October 2022 citation needed Players EditSee also List of St Helens R F C players Notable former players Edit Francis Meli playing for Samoa whilst at St Helens For all St Helens players with a Wikipedia article see List of St Helens RLFC past players For all players who have gained international caps whilst playing for the club see List of St Helens RLFC international players Best ever 17 Edit Throughout 2010 a select panel of fans journalists former players and club officials voted for the best 17 players ever to have played for St Helens to commemorate the club s 120th and final year at Knowsley Road 297 No Position Player1 FB Kel Coslett2 WG Tom van Vollenhoven3 CE Doug Greenall4 CE Paul Newlove5 WG Darren Albert6 SO Les Fairclough7 SH Alex Murphy8 PR Alan Prescott9 HK Keiron Cunningham10 PR Cliff Watson11 SR Dick Huddart12 SR Chris Joynt13 LF Vince Karalius14 SH Sean Long15 LF George Nicholls16 LF Paul Sculthorpe17 FB Paul WellensPlayers receiving testimonial matches Edit 18 players have had benefit years or testimonials at St Helens organised jointly by the club and the RFL They honour ten years at the club and the most recent player to receive one was fullback Paul Wellens for 2010 298 Coaches and Board EditTechnical staff Edit Name Job title Paul Wellens Head Coach Laurent Frayssinous Assistant Head Coach Ian Talbot Assistant Head Coach Matt Daniels Head of Strength and Conditioning Adam Daniels Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Nathan Mill Rehab amp Monitoring Co Ordinator Adam Rowland Assistant Physio Derek Traynor ASSE Manager amp Under 19 s Coach Ian Harris Training Steward Sam Evans First Team Kit Man Neil Kilshaw Player Performance Manager Paul Johnson Club Chaplain Derek Jones Masseur Kel Coslett Gameday Manager Simon Perritt Club Doctor Steve Leonard RL Development Manager Derek Hardman Reserves Head Coach Liam Bostock Reserves Assistant Coach 299 Boardroom staff Edit Name Job title Eamonn McManus Chairman Mike Rush Chief Executive Officer Paul Sculthorpe Business Development Manager Steve Law Merchandising Manager Jamie Allen Media Manager Mark Onion Marketing Manager Steve Davis Head of Commercial Operations 300 List of former head coaches Edit Main article List of St Helens R F C coaches Since the end of World War II St Helens have seen 24 new bosses at the helm at Knowsley Road Currently the position is held by Kristian Woolf Alf Frodsham 1945 9 Peter Lyons 1949 52 Jim Sullivan 1952 9 Alan Prescott 1959 62 Stan McCormick 1962 4 Joe Coen 1964 7 Cliff Evans 1967 70 Jim Challinor 1970 4 Eric Ashton 1974 80 Kel Coslett 1980 2 Billy Benyon 1982 5 Alex Murphy 1985 90 Mike McClennan 1990 3 Eric Hughes 1994 6 Shaun McRae 1996 8 Ellery Hanley 1998 2000 Ian Millward 2000 5 Daniel Anderson 2005 8 Mick Potter 2009 10 Royce Simmons 2011 12 Mike Rush 2012 Nathan Brown 2013 14 Keiron Cunningham 2015 17 Jamahl Lolesi 2017 Justin Holbrook 2017 19 Kristian Woolf 2020 22 Paul Wellens 2023 Seasons EditMain article List of St Helens R F C seasonsHonours EditLeagues Edit First Division Super LeagueWinners 17 1931 32 1952 53 1958 59 1965 66 1969 70 1970 71 1974 75 1996 1999 2000 2002 2006 2014 2019 2020 2021 2022League Leaders ShieldWinners 10 1996 2002 2005 2006 2007 2008 2014 2018 2019 2022 dd PremiershipWinners 4 1975 76 1976 77 1984 85 1992 93 dd dd dd RFL Lancashire LeagueWinners 9 1929 30 1931 32 1952 53 1959 60 1964 65 1965 66 1966 67 1968 69 dd Western Division ChampionshipWinners 1 1963 64 dd Cups Edit Challenge CupWinners 13 1955 56 1960 61 1965 66 1971 72 1975 76 1996 1997 2001 2004 2006 2007 2008 2021 dd League CupWinners 1 1987 88 dd Charity ShieldWinners 1 1992 93 dd BBC2 Floodlit TrophyWinners 2 1971 72 1975 76 dd RFL Lancashire CupWinners 11 1926 27 1953 54 1960 61 1961 62 1962 63 1963 64 1964 65 1967 68 1968 69 1984 85 1991 92 dd International Edit World Club ChallengeWinners 2 2001 2007 dd Records EditMain article List of St Helens R F C statistics and records Hall of Fame Edit Further information St Helens R F C Hall of Fame Player records Edit Match records Edit Most goals in a match 16 by Paul Loughlin vs Carlisle 14 September 1986 301 Most points in a match 40 by Paul Loughlin vs Carlisle 14 September 1986 301 Most tries in a match 6 by all of the following Alf Ellaby vs Barrow 5 March 1932 302 Steve Llewellyn vs Castleford 3 March 1956 303 Steve Llewellyn vs Liverpool City 20 August 1956 304 Tom van Vollenhoven vs Wakefield Trinity 21 December 1957 305 Tom van Vollenhoven vs Blackpool Borough 23 April 1962 306 Frank Myler vs Maryport 1 September 1969 307 Shane Cooper vs Hull FC 17 February 1988 308 Season records Edit Most tries in a season 62 by Tom van Vollenhoven 1958 59 309 Most goals in a season 214 by Kel Coslett 1971 72 310 Most points in a season 452 by Kel Coslett 1971 72 310 Career records Edit Most career tries 392 Tom van Vollenhoven 1957 68 third highest by any player 309 Most career points 3 413 Kel Coslett 1961 76 310 Most career goals 1 639 Kel Coslett 1961 76 310 Most career drop goals 73 Harry Pinner 1975 86 311 Most career appearances Kel Coslett 519 plus 12 as substitute 1961 76 310 Team records Edit Points margins Edit Highest Score 112 0 vs Carlisle 14 September 1986 301 Greatest Winning Margin 112 vs Carlisle 14 September 1986 301 Heaviest Defeat 78 6 vs Warrington 12 April 1909 312 Heaviest home defeat 65 12 vs Wigan 26 May 1997 Greatest Losing Margin 72 vs Warrington 12 April 1909 312 Attendances Edit Highest Attendance 35 695 vs Wigan 26 December 1949 313 Highest Super League Attendance 18 098 vs Warrington 26 August 1996 314 Highest Challenge Cup Attendance 30 276 vs Bradford Northern 19 February 1949 2 315 Highest International tour match attendance 29 156 vs Australia 10 October 1959 316 See also EditHistory of St Helens R F C List of St Helens R F C coaches List of St Helens R F C international players List of St Helens R F C players List of St Helens R F C seasons List of St Helens R F C statistics and records St Helens R F C Women St Helens R F C Academy St Helens R F C Hall of FameBibliography EditService Alex June 2000 St Helens Rugby League NPI Media Group ISBN 978 0 7524 1883 4 St Helens Heritage Society and Service Alex September 2006 St Helens RLFC 100 Great Players NPI Media Group ISBN 0 7524 4079 9 Quirke and McCarthy Andrew and Stephen August 2001 Knowsley Road Memories of St Helens Rugby League Football Club London League Publications Ltd ISBN 1 903659 04 3 References Edit a b St Helens RLFC Club Profile superleague co uk 15 July 2009 Retrieved 14 July 2009 a b c d St Helens RLFC club Records Saints Heritage Society 24 June 2009 Retrieved 24 June 2009 a b The Great Schism RugbyFootballHistory com 20 August 1895 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 31 January 1874 Retrieved 14 July 2009 a b 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 Cup 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 Archived from the original on 16 February 2007 Retrieved 24 April 2003 1931 1932 National League Table Saints Heritage Society 24 April 1932 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 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 see General Pages then Coaches and Others Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1953 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 25 April 1953 Retrieved 11 August 2010 1952 53 Lancashire League Table 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 Jim Sullivan Timeline rugbyrelics com 11 July 2009 Archived from the original on 19 July 2009 Retrieved 11 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 1958 59 League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1961 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 1959 60 Lancashire League Table Saints Heritage Society 1 July 2009 Retrieved 1 July 2009 a b c 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 1964 Western Championship Final Saints Heritage Society 16 May 1964 Retrieved 12 August 2010 1964 65 Championship Final Saints Heritage Society 22 May 1965 Retrieved 11 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 a b 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 Final Saints Heritage Society 14 December 1971 Retrieved 7 August 2010 1972 Championship Final Saints Heritage Society 20 May 1972 Retrieved 11 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 1988 89 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1990 Retrieved 8 August 2010 1989 90 League Tables Saints Heritage Society 25 October 1990 Retrieved 8 August 2010 a b 1989 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 29 April 1989 Retrieved 11 August 2010 a b 1991 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 27 April 1991 Retrieved 7 July 2010 a b 1992 Lancashire Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 15 May 1991 Retrieved 15 July 2009 a b 1992 Premiership Final Saints Heritage Society 17 May 1992 Retrieved 8 August 2010 a b 1993 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 a b 1996 Premiership Final Saints Heritage Society 8 September 1996 Retrieved 12 August 2010 a b 1997 Premiership Final Saints Heritage Society 28 September 1997 Retrieved 12 August 2010 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 Super League VII Table Saints Heritage Society 26 September 2002 Retrieved 12 August 2010 a b 2002 Super League Grand Final Saints Heritage Society 19 October 2002 Retrieved 16 July 2009 a b 2002 Challenge Cup Final Saints Heritage Society 27 April 2002 Retrieved 11 August 2010 2003 World Club Challenge Saints Heritage Society 14 February 2003 Retrieved 20 July 2009 a b 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 a b 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 a b Lyon Sam 4 October 2008 St Helens 16 24 Leeds Rhinos BBC Retrieved 8 July 2008 Cup Venues Announced skysports com 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 a b St Helens 10 18 Leeds Rhinos BBC 10 October 2009 Retrieved 21 October 2009 Long Potter exit no shock skysports com 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 guardian London Retrieved 12 July 2010 Meninga would consider Saints skysports com 1 June 2010 Retrieved 12 July 2010 Purtill waits on Saints job skysports com 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 skysports com 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 London The Guardian Newspaper 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 a b Warriors too good for Saints Sky Sports 2 October 2010 Retrieved 5 October 2010 St Helens win Grand Final after Wigan s Ben Flower is sent off The Guardian 11 October 2014 Super League semi final Warrington beat St Helens 18 13 to reach Grand Final BBC Sport 4 October 2018 Warrington Wolves beat St Helens 18 4 BBC Sport 24 August 2019 St Helens win 2019 Super League League Leaders shield Sky Sports Unwin Will 12 October 2019 St Helens 23 6 Salford Red Devils Super League Grand Final as it happened The Guardian Super League Grand Final Wigan 4 8 St Helens BBC Sport How St Helens players have celebrated their first Challenge Cup win in 13 years www manchestereveningnews co uk Barrie McDermott s 2021 Betfred Super League season review www skysports com Super League Grand Final Catalans Dragons 10 12 St Helens Saints win three in a row BBC Sport St Helens sink Leeds to win record fourth consecutive Grand Final www theguardian com Steve Prescott profile Saints Heritage Society 3 November 2010 Retrieved 3 November 2010 Paul Forber profile Saints Heritage Society 3 November 2010 Retrieved 3 November 2010 Gary Connolly profile Saints Heritage Society 3 November 2010 Retrieved 3 November 2010 Chris Arkwright profile Saints Heritage Society 3 November 2010 Retrieved 3 November 2010 li, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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