St Helens Rugby League Football Club

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St Helens RLFC
Saints.png
Full name St Helens
Rugby League Football Club
Nickname(s) Saints
Ground Knowsley Road,
St Helens
(Capacity 17,500)
Chairman England Eamonn McManus
Coach Australia Michael Potter
Captain Wales Keiron Cunningham
League Super League
2009 position 2nd (Grand Final runner-up)
Founded 1873
Championships 12
Challenge Cups 12
World Club Champions 2
Website saintsrlfc.com
Home colours
Away colours
Rugby current event.svg Current season

St Helens Rugby League Football Club, are a professional rugby league club from St Helens, Merseyside, England. The club plays in the European Super League. Their home ground is Knowsley Road, recently renamed the GPW Recruitment Stadium for sponsorship reasons,[1] but plans are in place for the team to move to a new 18,000 capacity stadium,[2]. In light of which, the club, alongside four other teams, have been put on notice by the Rugby Football League that they must have firm plans to leave Knowsley Road or forfeit their place within Super League by the commencement of the 2012 season. This is through the perceived poor condition and fabric of the stadium, resulting in a poor fan viewing experience.[3] St Helens is also one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895, making them one of the world's first rugby league teams.[4]

The current Head Coach at St Helens is Australian Mick Potter,[5] and the club captain is Keiron Cunningham, upon whom a bronze statue is to be erected, dignifying him as the greatest ever St. Helens player, as voted for by the Saints supporters.[6][7]

Their most recent success in the Challenge Cup cam when they won the 2008 Challenge Cup, retaining the cup for a third successive year, by defeating Hull FC by 28 points to 16 at Wembley Stadium with full-back Paul Wellens receiving the Lance Todd Trophy for his man-of-the-match display.[8] They last won the Super League title in the 2006 Super League Grand Final, again defeating Hull,[9] but have since lost three consecutive finals to Leeds Rhinos.[10][11] [12] They won the League Leader's Shield an unpresedented 4 consecutive times in Super League - between Super League X and Super League XIII.[13][14][15][16]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Early years

St. Helens are one of the oldest members of the Rugby Football League.[4] Founded in 1873,[17] they played their first ever match on 31st January, 1874 against Liverpool Royal Infirmary.[18] 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.[17] They defeated Manchester Rangers in the first match played at Knowsley Road. In 1895 Saints were one of 22 clubs that resigned from the Rugby Football Union and established the Northern Union.[4] The first match of the new code was an 8-3 win at home to Rochdale before 3,000 spectators, Bob Doherty scoring Saints' first try.[19] The Saints played in a vertically striped blue and white jersey - a stark contrast to the well known red vee which would become the kit for the club later. The club reverted back to this kit for one season during the rugby league centenary season in 1995.

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

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,[20][21] with Dave "Red" Traynor scoring the lone St Helens' try.[22]

In 1902/03, the Lancashire and Yorkshire leagues were combined to form two divisions, St Helens were placed in Division 1 but finished next to bottom and suffered relegation.[23] Promotion was gained at the 1st attempt,[24] only for another poor year to see Saints finish in a relegation position.[25] However the two Divisions became one League to save the club from a 2nd relegation.[26]

On 14 June 1913, St. Helens Recs joined the Northern Rugby Union after defecting from Rugby Union. The Recs were based at the City Road ground and played their first game on 6 September 1913. St Helens now had two professional rugby league teams. However, 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.

During the First World War years, Saints struggled to compete and failed to complete the full fixture list of the Emergency War League on two occasions.[27][28][29]

Saints defeated town rivals St. Helens Recs in the Lancashire Cup final by 10 points to 2 in the 1926-27 season.[30] 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.[20][31] They won their first ever National Championship in the 1931-32 season,[32] defeating Huddersfield 9-5 in the final.[33] This was the same season that they won their second Lancashire League,[34] the first coming in the 1929-30 season.[35]

Like during the First World War, Saints could not enjoy having a full-time squad during World War II and struggled to compete. They did not compete in the National Championship until a 17 team Emergency War League was formed in the 1941-42 season,[36] and did not win any regional honours. They finished bottom of the EWL in seasons 1942-43 [37] and 1943-44 [38] and next-to-bottom in 1944-45.[39]

[edit] Post war

The arrival of Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1952 [40] heralded a successful era for St Helens, and helped to establish the club as a respected force in Rugby League. Sullivan took them to their first victory in the Challenge Cup Final (against Halifax in 1956),[20][41] as well as four Lancashire Leagues, in 1952-53,[42] 1956-57,[43] 1958-59 [44] and 1959-60 [45] and two National Championships (1952-53 [46] and 1958-59 [47]). This was in addition to a brace of Lancashire Cups obtained in seasons 1953-54 [48] and 1960-61.[49] On Saturday 24 November 1956, St Helens inflicted a touring Australia its biggest ever defeat with a 44-2 win.[50] Ex-Saints captain and prop-forward Alan Prescott took over from Jim Sullivan as Saints' coach in 1961.[40]

Perhaps the golden era of the club came in the 1960s, as well as more lately in the recent Super League era. With a galaxy of stars including Tom van Vollenhoven, Alex Murphy, Dick Huddart and Vince Karalius, the 1960s was a decade of great success for the Saints, with the League [51] and Cup [20][52] double achieved in 1966. During this decade, the recognisable 'red vee' strip first appeared in 1961 for the final against Wigan. Saints won this epic 12-6,[20][53] and the kit has since become synonymous with the club.

The 1965 New Zealand tourists appeared at Knowsley Road on Wednesday 15 September. Saints inflicted a 28-7 defeat on their visitors,[54] their biggest loss of the tour.

St Helens were beaten by Wakefield in the 1967 Rugby League Championship final at Station Road, Swinton on the 10th May 1967 by 20 points to 9 in a replay,[55] after a 7-7 draw 4 days earlier.[56]

St. Helens reached three Challenge Cup finals in the 1970s. They defeated Leeds in 1972 16-13,[20][57] and repeated this success three years later against Widnes in 1976 where they were victorious by 20-5 in the famous 'Dads Army' final.[20][58] In 1978 Leeds avenged their loss against St. Helens, emerging winners by 14-12.[20][59] On 13th December 1977, Saints lost 26-11 to Hull Kingston Rovers in the final of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy.[60]

Kel Coslett took over as coach in June 1980.[40][61] He held the post for two years before handing over to Billy Benyon.[40][62] Saints won the Lancashire Cup with a 26-18 win at Wigan in 1984 [63] and won the Premiership in 1985 with a 36-16 victory over defending champions Hull Kingston Rovers.[64]

The arrival of Alex Murphy as coach in 1986 [40][65] produced some colourful displays from a team that was widely regarded as an entertaining team to watch, but seemed to be constant runners-up. This was illustrated by the shock defeat to Halifax in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley 19-18 in 1987.[66] Success was achieved in 1988 when St Helens lifted the John Player Trophy with a thrilling 15-14 victory over Leeds in January 1988, at Central Park.[67] Neil Holding with the crucial, match-winning drop-goal. St Helens lost to Widnes in the Premiership Final at Old Trafford at the end of the season.[68]

Alex Murphy was succeeded by Mike McClennan in February 1990.[40] He was head coach until December 1993, winning the Lancashire Cup, in 1991 against Rochdale,[69] and Premiership in 1993 defeating Wigan.[70] Eric Hughes succeeded Mike McClennan as head coach in 1994 [40] and held the position until 1996.

[edit] Super League era

Saints have also become one of the most successful side of the summer era. Since the inception of Super League they have won the competition on five occasions, and have added seven Challenge Cups to their five previous successes. St Helens defeated Bradford Bulls 8-6 in the 1999 Super League Grand Final, with more than 50,000 people witnessing Chris Joynt lift the trophy at Old Trafford. They also won the World Club Challenge in 2001 and 2007, beating Brisbane Broncos both times.

[edit] 1990's

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) [71] and back-to-back successes over Bradford in the Challenge Cup (1996 [72] and 1997 [73]). Ellery Hanley succeeded McRae in 1999 [40] and led Saints to Grand Final success against Bradford in the October of that year.[74] 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.[75] Ian Millward was appointed as Hanley's successor as head coach.[40]

[edit] 2000's

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 Storm,[76] but lead them to retaining their Super League title in 2000 beating Wigan Warriors 29-16.[77] Millward then lead Saints to reclaim it in the 2002 Grand Final, Sean Long snatching a last minute 19-18 win over the Bradford Bulls with a drop-goal.[78] They also won the Challenge Cup in 2001; 13-6 over the Bulls [79], with the final held at Twickenham Stadium for the first time,[80] and the 2001 World Club Challenge, earning a 20-18 win over the Broncos.[81][82] 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,[83] Long gaining his second of an eventual three Lance Todd Trophies.[84]

Millward's reign was not without controversy and his St Helens career ended controversially after he was suspended in May 2005.[85] He was sacked for gross misconduct a week later.[86] Daniel Anderson was appointed as coach,[40] Millward was then made coach of arch rivals Wigan.[87] Anderson saw his new team become the first team to top the Super League and fail to reach Old Trafford.[13][88]

St. Helens won the 2006 Challenge Cup final on 26 August, beating Huddersfield Giants 42-12.[89] This was their second Challenge Cup victory at Twickenham stadium, the first occasion being in 2001. St Helens scrum-half Sean Long was awarded the Lance Todd trophy for the man-of-the-match performance during the 2006 Challenge Cup Final and in doing so became the first ever player to win a third Lance Todd trophy. These added to the awards he won in 2001 and 2004.[84]

St Helens followed up their Challenge Cup win by claiming the League Leader's Shield,[14] before cementing their reputation as the team of the year by defeating Hull FC 26 points to 4 in the Super League Grand Final.[9] Once more St. Helens confirmed their status as the outstanding team of the summer era. Additionally, Paul Wellens received the Man of Steel Award.[90]

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.[91]

Bryn Hargreaves in action for Saints in his first season with the club - 2007.
Leon Pryce in 2008, when he was named in the Dream Team and won the Challenge Cup

After a slow start to the 2007 season, Saints added to their history by beating the Brisbane Broncos 18-14 to win the 2007 World Club Challenge.[92] In July, they beat Super League rivals, Bradford Bulls,[93] to reach the first Challenge Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium.[94] Here, St Helens successfully defended their Challenge Cup by defeating Catalans Dragons 30-8 in the final on 25 August 2007.[95] They were beaten in the Grand Final that year by Leeds Rhinos by 33 points to 6,[10] despite finishing at the top of the league ladder for the third successive season.[15]

Saints success in the Challenge Cup continued in 2008 with a victory at the new Wembley Stadium, this time defeating Hull FC 28 - 16.[8] Paul Wellens received the Lance Todd Trophy after sharing the award with team-mate Leon Pryce the year earlier.[84]

They also achieved first place again in the 2008 Super League season - for the 4th year running [16] - winning the League Leaders Shield, and beat Leeds Rhinos 38-10 for the right to go to Old Trafford to contest the Grand Final.[96] However, St. Helens were once again defeated by Leeds Rhinos in the Grand Final, by a margin of 24 to 16, on the 4th October 2008.[11]

On August 9th 2009, St Helens reached a record 9th consecutive Challenge Cup semi-final,[97] where they were beaten by 24 points to 14 by the Huddersfield Giants.[98] 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.

On the 3rd of October 2009, Saints defeated fierce rivals Wigan to book their place at a fourth consecutive Super League Grand Final,[99] only to loose out to Leeds in the final, 18-10, making Leeds the only team to win the grand final 3 times in a row.

[edit] Super League Season Summaries

P=Premiers, R=Runner-Ups, M=Minor Premierships, F=Play-off Finals Appearance, W=Wooden Spoons
Year of Competition Played Won Drawn Lost Position P R M F W Coach Captain
Super League I 22 20 0 2 1/12
X
X
Shaun McRae Chris Joynt
Super League II 22 14 1 7 3/12
Super League III 23 14 1 8 4/12
X
Super League IV 30 23 0 7 2/14
X
X
Ellery Hanley
Super League V 28 23 0 5 2/12
X
X
Super League VI 28 17 2 9 4/12
X
Ian Millward
Super League VII 28 23 0 5 1/12
X
X
X
Super League VIII 28 16 1 11 4/12
X
Super League IX 28 17 1 10 5/12
X
Paul Sculthorpe /
Sean Long /
Keiron Cunningham
Super League X 28 23 1 4 1/12
X
X
Daniel Anderson
Super League XI 28 24 0 4 1/12
X
X
X
Super League XII 27 19 0 8 1/12
X
X
X
Super League XIII 27 21 1 5 1/12
X
X
X
Super League XIV 28 19 0 9 2/14
X
X
Michael Potter Keiron Cunningham
Super League XV * - - - - - - - - - -

*-current season

[edit] Rivalries

There is a strong rivalry between St. Helens and Wigan Warriors; the local derby between the two clubs has been traditionally regarded as the biggest in British rugby league.[citation needed] In all meetings between the two clubs since Super League's inception in 1996 there have been 59 games - Saints winning 26, losing 30 and drawing only 3 times.[100] In all competitive encounters between the two since 1895, there have been 233 games, Saints winning 82, drawing 11 and losing 140.[101] They too, have contested no fewer than 6 Challenge Cup Finals. In recent years also, with the start of Super League, rivalries with the other members of the 'Big Four' has arose. Bradford Bulls and Saints have contested several finals in the modern game, as have Leeds Rhinos and Saints, which is arguably the greatest rivalry of the two Yorkshire clubs. They have contested the last three Super League finals but the football they have produced in recent years is considered the best in Super League[original research?] and it is sometimes considered a contest in terms of pride between the two counties as there tends to be a lot of 'bad blood' between the two clubs, sometimes resulting in brawls in fans and players. Leeds and St Helens have also contested the 1971-72 and 1977-78 Challenge Cup Finals. The other Merseyside club in Super League, Warrington Wolves have also built up something of a derby-type contest with St Helens, particularly within Super League.

[edit] Mascots

During the Super League era, the participating teams have adopted mascots and nicknames usually in alliteration with the name of their home town. The St. Helens Mascots are Boots and Bernard. Like the previous mascots St. Bernard and St. Bernadette, they are St. Bernard dogs. Bernard doesn't often appear as much as Boots as he appears a bigger and more angry version of Boots, who is a happy version. Bernard wears the number 1 on his shirt whilst Boots wears Number 2.

During the 2009 Magic Weekend, in Edinburgh, Boots took part in the annual Mascot games, he came 2nd in this, behind Rufus the Red Robin of Hull Kingston Rovers.

[edit] Kit Evolution

very early kit
kit until 1961
1961-present

[edit] Backroom Staff

Chairman- Eamonn McManus England
Chief Executive- Tony Colquitt England
Business Development Manager- Paul Sculthorpe England

[edit] Coaching Staff

Head Coach- Mick Potter Australia
Assistant Coach- Kieron Purtill England
Performance Manager- Mike Rush England
Player Performance Manager- Neil Kilshaw
Head of Strength and Conditioning and Head Trainer- Matt Daniels
Reserve Team Coach- Ian Talbot
Academy Coach- Derek Traynor
Gameday Manager- Kel Coslett
Club Doctor- Simon Perritt

[edit] Current Squad

As of 12 October 2009:

Number Nationality Player Name Position Weight (kg) Height (m) D.O.B. Previous Club
1 England Paul Wellens (VC) FB 96 1.85 27/02/80 St Helens Academy
2 England Ade Gardner W 94 1.88 26/06/83 Barrow Border Raiders
3 Australia Matthew Gidley C 94 1.86 01/07/77 Newcastle Knights
4 C
5 SamoaNew Zealand1 Francis Meli W 100 1.88 27/04/79 New Zealand Warriors
6 EnglandJamaica2 Leon Pryce SO 98 1.91 09/10/81 Bradford Bulls
7 ' SH
8 ' PR
9 Wales Keiron Cunningham (C) HK 102 1.75 28/10/76 St Helens Academy
10 England James Graham PR 106 1.88 10/09/85 St Helens Academy
11 ' SR
12 England Jon Wilkin SR 97 1.85 01/11/83 Hull Kingston Rovers
13 Australia Chris Flannery LF 100 1.86 05/06/80 Sydney Roosters
14 England James Roby HK 87 1.78 22/11/85 St Helens Academy
15 Wales Bryn Hargreaves PR 103 1.83 14/11/85 Wigan Warriors
16 SamoaNew Zealand 1 Tony Puletua SR 110 1.92 25/06/78 Penrith Panthers
17 England Paul Clough SR 98 1.83 27/09/87 St Helens Academy
18 England Kyle Eastmond SH 75 1.67 17/07/89 St Helens Academy
19 England Chris Dean C 86 1.80 17/01/88 St Helens Academy
20 England Gareth Frodsham PR 100 1.89 18/12/89 St Helens Academy
21 England Gary Wheeler SO 87 1.79 30/09/89 St Helens Academy
22 England Sean Magenniss SR 91 1.82 02/12/89 St Helens Academy
23 EnglandSamoa 3 Maurie Fa'asavalu PR 105 1.91 12/01/80 Samoan Rugby Union
24 England Andrew Dixon LF 94 1.83 28/02/90 St Helens Academy
25 England Jamie Foster C 85 1.87 27/07/90 St Helens Academy
26 England Andy Yates PR 98 1.86 23/02/90 St Helens Academy
27 England Jamie Ellis SH 85 1.79 04/10/89 St Helens Academy
28 England Matty Ashurst SR 90 1.86 01/11/89 St Helens Academy
29 England Tom Armstrong W 92 1.90 12/09/89 St Helens Academy
30 England Jonny Lomax FB 82 1.77 04/09/90 St Helens Academy
31 England Jacob Emmitt PR 102 1.86 04/10/88 St Helens Academy
32 England Paul Johnson C 88 1.87 13/03/88 St Helens Academy
- New Zealand Iosia Soliola C 100 1.90 04/08/86 Sydney Roosters
- England Nick Fozzard PR 106 1.91 23/01/88 Hull Kingston Rovers
- England Scott Moore HK 93 1.80 22/02/77 Huddersfield Giants (loan)

1 - Meli and Puletua won caps for New Zealand before switching to Samoa

2 - Pryce is of Jamaican origin

3 - Fa'asavalu switched his allegiance to England under the residency rule

[edit] Honours

[edit] Records

[edit] Player records

[edit] Match Records

[edit] Season Records

[edit] Career Records

[edit] Team records

[edit] Points Margins

[edit] Attendances

[102]

[edit] Players earning International Caps while at St Helens

See St Helens RLFC International Players

[edit] Other Notable Players

See here for a partial list of St Helens players.



Jamie Lyon left Saints for Manly after two successful season with the club.


[edit] Players Receiving Testimonial Matches

[edit] Coaching Register

[edit] Championship Era

[edit] Premiership Era

[edit] Super League Era

[40]

[edit] St Helens links

[edit] References

  1. ^ "St Helens RLFC Club Profile". superleague.co.uk. 2009-07-15. http://www.superleague.co.uk/club.php?id=33498. Retrieved 2009-07-14. 
  2. ^ "St Helens RLFC New Stadium". sthelensstadium.com. 2009-07-15. http://www.sthelensstadium.com/default.htm. Retrieved 2009-07-14. 
  3. ^ "5 Clubs Issued With Licensing Letters". superleague.co.uk. 2009-07-22. http://www.superleague.co.uk/article.php?id=14771. Retrieved 2009-08-07. 
  4. ^ a b c "The Great Schism". Rugby Football History. 1895-08-29. http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/Schism.html. Retrieved 2009-07-14. 
  5. ^ "Potter to quit Dragons for Saints". BBC. 2008-04-22. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7352101.stm. Retrieved 2008-04-22. 
  6. ^ "Cunningham is Man of Bronze". sthelensnews.com. 2008-06-04. http://sthelensnews.blogspot.com/2007/12/kieron-cunningham-is-voted-man-of.html. Retrieved 2008-07-08. 
  7. ^ "Cunningham Finds Permanent Place With His Saints". The Guardian Newspaper. 2008-02-08. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/feb/08/keiron-cunningham-st-helens-rugby-super-league. Retrieved 2008-07-08. 
  8. ^ a b "St Helens 28-16 Hull FC". BBC. 2008-08-30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7585584.stm. Retrieved 2008-07-08. 
  9. ^ a b "St Helens 26-4 Hull FC". BBC. 2006-10-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6046328.stm. Retrieved 2008-07-08. 
  10. ^ a b "St Helens 6-33 Leeds Rhinos". BBC. 2007-10-13. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7043251.stm. Retrieved 2008-07-08. 
  11. ^ a b "St Helens 16-24 Leeds Rhinos". BBC. 2008-10-04. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/7652600.stm. Retrieved 2008-07-08. 
  12. ^ "St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos". BBC. 2009-10-10. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/8290503.stm. Retrieved 2009-10-21. 
  13. ^ a b "2005 Super League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 2005-10-09. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=2005. Retrieved 2009-07-16. 
  14. ^ a b "2006 Super League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 2006-10-09. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=2006. Retrieved 2009-07-16. 
  15. ^ a b "2007 Super League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 2007-10-09. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=2007. Retrieved 2009-07-16. 
  16. ^ a b "2008 Super League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 2008-10-09. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=2008. Retrieved 2009-07-16. 
  17. ^ a b "St Helens RLFC Club History". saintsrlfc.com. 1873-08-29. http://www.saintsrlfc.com/clubinfo. Retrieved 2009-07-14. 
  18. ^ "St Helens First Match". Saints Heritage Society. 1874-01-31. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php. Retrieved 2009-07-14. 
  19. ^ "Saints' first match in Northern Union". Saints Heritage Society. 1895-07-07. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7. Retrieved 2009-07-12. 
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h "Challenge Cup Role of Honour". BBC. 2006-08-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/challenge_cup/4158148.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
  21. ^ "1897 Challenge Cup Final". BBC. 1897-08-26. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=543. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
  22. ^ Hoole, Les (8 August 1998). The Rugby League Challenge Cup. Breedon Books Ltd. (ISBN 1 85983 094 3). 
  23. ^ "1902/1903 Division 1 League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1903-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1902%203. Retrieved 2009-07-12. 
  24. ^ "1903/1904 Division 2 League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1904-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1903%204. Retrieved 2009-07-12. 
  25. ^ "1904/1905 Division 1 League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1905-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1904%205. Retrieved 2009-07-12. 
  26. ^ "1905/1906 Northern Football Union League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1906-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1905%206. Retrieved 2009-07-12. 
  27. ^ "1915/1916 Emergency War League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1916-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1915_16. Retrieved 2009-07-20. 
  28. ^ "1916/1917 Emergency War League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1917-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1916_17. Retrieved 2009-07-20. 
  29. ^ "1917/1918 Emergency War League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1917-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1917_18. Retrieved 2009-07-20. 
  30. ^ "1926/1927 Lancashire Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1927-11-20. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=1519. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
  31. ^ "French Lessons". BBC. 2003-04-24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/ray_french/2949991.stm. Retrieved 2003-04-24. 
  32. ^ "1930/1931 National League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1931-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1931_32. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
  33. ^ "1931/1932 National League Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1931-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=1764. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
  34. ^ "1930/1931 Lancashire League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1931-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1931_32. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
  35. ^ "1929/1930 Lancashire League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1930-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1929_30. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
  36. ^ "19241/1942 Emergency War League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1942-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1929_30. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
  37. ^ "1942/1943 Emergency War League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1943-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1942_43. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
  38. ^ "1943/1944 Emergency War League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1944-04-24. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1943_44. Retrieved 2009-07-17. 
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  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Saints Coaching Register". Saints Heritage Society. 2009-07-01. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
  41. ^ "1956 Challenge Cup Final Commentary". Saints Heritage Society. 1956-07-11. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=381. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
  42. ^ "1952-53 Lancashire League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 2009-07-01. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1951_52. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
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  48. ^ "1954 Lancashire Cup Final". Saints Heritage Society. 2009-07-01. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=2566. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
  49. ^ "1961 Lancashire Cup Final". Saints Heritage Society. 2009-07-01. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=2876. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
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  51. ^ "1961 League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 2009-07-01. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1965_66. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
  52. ^ "1966 Challenge Cup Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1966-07-01. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=3134. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
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  54. ^ "Saints vs. 1965 New Zealand Tour". Saints Heritage Society. 1961-07-01. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=3094. Retrieved 2009-07-01. 
  55. ^ "1967 Championship Final Replay". Saints Heritage Society. 1967-05-10. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=3184. Retrieved 2009-07-15. 
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  57. ^ "1972 Challenge Cup Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1972-08-26. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=3437. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
  58. ^ "1976 Challenge Cup Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1976-08-26. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=3626. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
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  60. ^ "1977 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1977-12-13. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=3695. Retrieved 2009-07-15. 
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  64. ^ "1985 Premiership Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1985-05-11. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=4010. Retrieved 2009-07-15. 
  65. ^ "Alex Murphy Bio". Saints Heritage Society. 2009-07-15. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=10&num=16031. Retrieved 2009-07-15. 
  66. ^ "1987 Challenge Cup Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1987-05-02. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=4095. Retrieved 2009-07-15. 
  67. ^ "1988 John Player Trophy Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1988-01-09. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=4115. Retrieved 2009-07-15. 
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  69. ^ "1990 Lancashire Cup Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1990-05-15. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=429. Retrieved 2009-07-15. 
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  71. ^ "1996 Super League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 1999-10-09. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=24&tabledate=1996. Retrieved 2009-07-15. 
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  73. ^ "1997 Challenge Cup Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1996-05-03. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=214. Retrieved 2009-07-15. 
  74. ^ "1999 Super League Grand Final". Saints Heritage Society. 1999-10-09. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=124. Retrieved 2009-07-16. 
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  83. ^ "2004 Challenge Cup Final Final". Saints Heritage Society. 2004-05-15. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=4509. Retrieved 2009-07-16. 
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  88. ^ "2005 Super League Play-Offs Final Eliminator". Saints Heritage Society. 2005-10-07. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=4568. Retrieved 2009-07-16. 
  89. ^ "St Helens 42-12 Huddersfield". BBC. 2006-08-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/challenge_cup/5271814.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
  90. ^ "Wellens Wins Man Of Steel Award". BBC. 2006-08-09. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/challenge_cup/4169864.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-16. 
  91. ^ "Sports Personality Winners 2006". BBC. 2006-12-10. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/6220542.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
  92. ^ "St Helens vs. Brisbane As It Happened". BBC. 2007-02-23. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6378807.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
  93. ^ "2007 Challenge Cup Semi-Final". Saints Heritage Society. 2007-07-28. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=4633. Retrieved 2009-07-16. 
  94. ^ "Challenge Cup Returns To Wembley". BBC. 2007-03-28. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6503783.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-16. 
  95. ^ "St Helens vs. Catalans As It Happened FC". BBC. 2008-08-25. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/6962139.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-11. 
  96. ^ "2008 Super League Play-Offs Qualifying Final". Saints Heritage Society. 2008-10-04. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=7&seq=4676. Retrieved 2008-07-08. 
  97. ^ "Cup Venues Announced". skysports.com. 2009-06-02. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12214_5359870,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-10. 
  98. ^ "St Helens vs. Huddersfield CC match report". saintsrlfc.com. 2009-08-09. http://saintsrlfc.com/results/120. Retrieved 2009-08-10. 
  99. ^ "St Helens vs. Wigan P-O match report". engagesuperleague.com. 2009-10-03. http://superleague.co.uk/report.php?id=3202308. Retrieved 2009-10-03. 
  100. ^ "Saints vs. Wigan Head-to-Head". Saints Heritage Society. 2009-06-18. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=17&order=comp&qstringfirst=1996&qstringlast=2009&opp=Wigan. Retrieved 2009-06-18. 
  101. ^ "Saints vs. Wigan Head-to-Head Since 1895". saintsrlfc.com. 1895-08-29. http://www.saintsrlfc.com/matchcentre/1541. Retrieved 2009-08-02. 
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  103. ^ "Darren Albert Profile". Saints Heritage Society. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=10. Retrieved 2009-08-08. 
  104. ^ "Paul Anderson Profile". Saints Heritage Society. http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=10&num=16617. Retrieved 2009-08-08. 
  105. ^ "When Haven Beat the Aussies". Total RL. 2009-06-22. http://www.rugbyleague.org/features/content.php?feat_id=269&featcat_id=32. Retrieved 2009-06-22. 
  106. ^ "Wembley in Depth". BBC. 2009-06-24. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2000/wembley/944481.stm. Retrieved 2009-06-24. 
  107. ^ "John Mantle Testimonial". TotalRL. 2007-12-14. http://www.totalrl.com/onthisday/indexphp?feat_id=285. Retrieved 2007-12-14. 

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