Their support is also not restricted to the town, with bases in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Northamptonshire, the South and North Wales. [213][214], 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. [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. This accolade recognises the best team in any sport within the United Kingdom. (@Saints1890) / Twitter Follow St.Helens R.F.C. [98][99] This could be a possible reason for Jim Challinor's replacement with Eric Ashton as head coach. A League[79] and Cup[7][80] double was achieved under Coan in the 196566 season, whilst they lost the Floodlit Trophy final against Castleford. Umbro were once again the designers of this varsity blue jersey with a royal blue veeshaped chevron, a kit similar to the away kit of 2008. 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][217][218] and one Floodlit Trophy Final in 1968, Wigan winning 74. Home Kit ; Away Kit ; TRAINING. 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. [294] 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. Roby's career is one in which the statistics speak for themselves, with his 18-year run for St Helens presenting a list of individual and team accolades that any rugby league player would be envious of. This was used until 2010,[283] 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. Academy graduates, Jon Bennison (27), Lewis Baxter (28) Jumah Sambou (30), and Taylor Pemberton (31) along with new signing Danny Hill (29) round out the squad numbers. The death of former rugby league player Bryn Hargreaves, who went missing in America over a year ago, has been confirmed by his family. England vs France: Talking points for Saturday's men's and women's 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. [136] They also won the World Club Challenge in 2001 and 2007, beating Brisbane both times. Super League Grand Final 2014: James Roby lifts the Super League trophy alongside Nathan Brown and club captain Paul Wellens. Academy graduates, Jon Bennison (27), Lewis Baxter (28) Jumah Sambou (30), and Taylor Pemberton (31) along with new signing Danny Hill (29) round out the squad numbers. [241] 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. [132] McClennan was head coach until December 1993, when Eric Hughes succeeded him as head coach in 1994. [206], Before the start of the 2023 Super League season, St Helens travelled to Australia for the 2023 World Club Challenge. Hall of Fame honours past players who have graced the club from their inception in 1873. Mens . As well as a $9.5m (5.1m) salary cap - two and a half times Super League's caps - the NRL also has a 95% salary floor: in other words, every club has to spend almost the same on players. [249] 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. Formed in 1873, St Helens are one of the 22 original members of the Northern Rugby Football Union and have been league champions on 17 occasions. However, during the modern, Summer era, the game between the two gained prestige. Super League LIVE : Huddersfield Giants v St Helens - radio commentary The two contested consecutive Challenge Cup finals in 1996 and 1997,[227][228] and later in 2001,[229] St Helens winning all three. [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 220 defeat by Widnes. FT. HT 6-12. The Official Online Shop of St Helens Rugby League Football Club. [61] Perhaps the golden era of the club came in the 1960s, as well as more lately in the Super League era. 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. The 31-year-old St Helens player believes the recent moves by Hollie-Mae Dodd and Georgia Roche to sign professional deals in Australia's NRLW heralds an exciting opportunity to improve the game . Also winning their 4th consecutive title in the process. FORMER Warrington Wolves and St Helens prop Nick Fozzard is one of 378 players taking legal action against their respective sports' governing bodies. In 2006, the ground was treated to something of a makeover, after financial input from St Helens big money sponsors Earth Money. [247] Situated, prior to their recent move to Widnes, in Eccleston and Thatto Heath, a lot of support naturally derives from that area. Catch all the action between Leeds Rhinos and St Helens on Sky Sports from 7.45pm on Friday, April 1. [14] In 190203, the combined Lancashire and Yorkshire leagues saw St Helens enter for the first time. [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. [88], The 1970s were also seen as a successful spell for St Helens, as they reached three Challenge Cup finals in the period. 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. [288] Previous main sponsors have included St Helens Glass (198687, 200001), McEwan's Lager (198798), John Smith's (1999), Caledonia (2002), Comodo (2003), All Sports (200405), Earth money (200607), Pilkington Activ (200809), Frontline (2010), Medicash (2011), Typhoo (2012 - 2016), RCMA Group (2017), and Cash Converters[289] (2018 - 2021). James Roby takes a tackle during the Four Nations, with Sean O'Loughlin backing up the England hooker. design of jersey was employed, where the chevron that St Helens had now adopted in place of the traditional V finished threequarters of the way down the shirt. Despite such high honours, when speaking to those who have played with him, worked with him or lined up against him, they all highlight the one aspect of Roby they admire more than anything else: his humbleness. On 9 August 2009, St Helens reached a record ninth consecutive Challenge Cup semifinal,[176] where they were beaten by 24 points to 14 by the Huddersfield Giants. Recap all the updates from St Helens' 20-12 Super League . In the 1961 Challenge Cup final against Wigan, the strip still seen todaythe famous red Vwas first utilised. "His leadership style is selfless and his consistency in how he trains prepares for, and plays games is what makes him so great.". The following is a list of St Helens R.F.C. Currently, the position is held by Kristian Woolf. 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. On 3 October 2009, Saints defeated fierce rivals the Wigan Warriors to book their place at a fourth consecutive Super League Grand Final,[178] Jake Wingfield (19), Josh Simm (21), Ben Davies (22), Dan Norman (24), Matty Foster (25) and Sam Royle (26) all move up in number from the 2021 season. [192] However, Saints failure to perform on the big stage was once more shown, going down in this semifinal by 3228. Wellens said: "Since retiring, I have had the pleasure of being on the coaching staff as he has taken over the captaincy and led the club through one of its most successful ever periods. Roby's current St. Helens team-mate, Tommy Makinson, is relishing the . "James Roby is the greatest player I've ever had the chance to play with," says Makinson. Initially, the St Helens mascots were Bernard and Bernadette, St Bernard dogs; depicting something of a married couple with their on-field humorous antics. [48] St Helens reached no finals or achieved any more honours during the remainder of the 1930s. [220][221][222][223] St Helens greatest winning margin and the highest game score between the two in competitive football was a 750 win in a 2005 Challenge Cup Round 6 game. Despite working with hundreds of players both in the Super League and the NRL, Holbrook believes that there is no one as "reliable" as the Saints captain. Their current main shirt sponsor is Home Bargains. Platinum Club Partners Many strongholds of support also come from the Eastern side of the town; areas like Blackbrook, Haydock, and Parr. IN. [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 205 in the famous 'Dads Army' final. 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. 2023 . James Roby hits 500 games for St Helens: 'He is undeniably one of the However, in 2009, the mascots changed to Boots and Bernard; happy and angry masculine characters. [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. He played for England and Great Britain at international level, as well as representing Lancashire.He began his club career at the Warrington Wolves before joining St Helens, with whom he won a total of . Rugby Super League Betting Odds | St Helens Vs Hull Fc | BetUS "I have had the pleasure of being at Robes's side for the past 20 years since he first came into the St Helens first-team environment," said Wellens. St Helens are the only team in World Rugby League that can win 4 trophies this season. The Saints have won a total of 17 league championships with the most recent coming in 2022. Our 2022 Home and Away Shirts will be revealed very soon, with a little snippet of the home shirt visible in our graphic above. [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]. Since 2015 St Helens' kit has been supplied by O'Neills. The match was contested between St Helens and the Leeds Rhinos, for a record fifth time at Old Trafford . [70] During this decade, the recognisable 'red vee' strip first appeared in 1961 for the final against Wigan. [40] The season after, they were trophyless, finishing tenth in a 28team league. Close player. After competing as the fiercest of rivals, O'Loughlin and Roby then lined up alongside each other for both England and Great Britain, the experience of playing with Roby living up to what O'Loughlin had hoped. In 1895 the club were one of 22 clubs that resigned from the Rugby Football Union and established the Northern Union. Kel Coslett has made the most career appearances for St Helens, having . Jake Wingfield (19), Josh Simm (21), Ben Davies (22), Dan Norman (24), Matty Foster (25) and Sam Royle (26) all move up in number from the 2021 season. Blackbrook Royals have a large contingent of players in St Helens first team squad. [215] 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. Another Saints Academy product in Lewis Dodd will take over the number seven to form an all-British, all home-grown half-back pairing with Jonny Lomax. They are the current Super League and World Club Challenge champions having won last season's Grand Final, and the World Club Challenge, becoming the first English team to win in Australia, since the 1994 World Club Challenge. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [153] They were hammered in the 2003 World Club Challenge by Sydney by 38 points to 0. In 1997, yet another change of design that was controversial[according to whom?] 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. Since making his debut against Widnes in 2004, the sight of James Roby in the red and white vee is one St Helens fans have become used to. [287] Previous suppliers include Umbro (198694), Stag (199596), Mizuno Corporation (199799), Y2K (2000), Exito (200102), Puma (200310), and ISC (201114). 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. He is the younger brother of rugby league footballers Les and Eric Chisnall.All three Chisnalls played for the Leigh squad at times during their careers, with Dave and Les playing there together for at least one season. Women's team squad profiles. [32] The club's lack of success and disappointing league finishes continued for another seven seasons. [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. The success of the Saints in Super League began under the leadership of Shaun McRae in 1996. However, Cunningham would not be leaving without leaving a lasting legacy on the club. [77] The 1965 New Zealand tourists appeared at Knowsley Road on Wednesday 15 September. is a professional rugby league club in St Helens, Merseyside. St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) / Twitter "What he has done is unprecedented and to play 500 games for St. Helens with such consistency and durability, I tip my hat to him.". [133] They finished fourth in both of Hughes' seasons in charge. They honour ten years at the club, and the most recent player to receive one was fullback Paul Wellens for 2010.[304]. 2816. "To play alongside him was a huge honour, and he is quite simply one of rugby league's best players in any era. [137][138] In 2023 they then beat Penrith Panthers 13-12 in Australia to win it for a third time. The club also have their own supporters clubs, one for the club itself which has folded,[248] and one for fans in the South. [112][113] He held the post for two years before handing over to Billy Benyon. In his final season as Tigers boss, this looked to be Daryl Powell's best . "Robes never asks another player to do something that he wouldn't do, and I have never heard him put another team-mate down or have a negative word to say about them even in the heat of a game. This aided the ground in gaining international rugby, with a fixture between Great Britain and New Zealand being held there in 2006. 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 2916 in 2000,[152] with Wigan initially gaining revenge in 2010, with a 2210 win,[196] before Saints claimed the 2014 Super League Grand Final by a score of 146, taking a 21 lead in their Super League Grand Final head-to-heads. The jersey had a single broad red horizontal band, on a white background, and was used until 1961. 28 Apr 2023 08:13:43 . You've made a. The traditional red V was once more reverted to, after the controversial design, with a more circular design used for the 1999 season. I think straight away it puts me and the team at ease knowing he is in your team and he has got your back. "I have never come across a player as mentally resilient as he is and when you combine that with his undoubtable ability, it becomes clear how he is undeniably one of the game's greats.". St Helens won the World Club Challenge over Penrith Panthers under head coach Paul Wellens in February, but they have claimed just four wins in eight so far in Super League. ST HELENS vs HULL FC - Rugby sevens is another type of rugby that has just seven players per side. St Helens would go on to win the World Club Challenge game 13-12 in golden point extra-time to claim their third trophy in the competition. St Helens won this epic 126,[7][71] and the kit has since become synonymous with the club. [154] In this season, they failed to win a trophy after being knocked out of the Challenge Cup by Leeds at the semifinal stage, and the Super League playoffs by Wigan at the same stage. In 2000, a more regular V was seen again. Mick Sullivan joined Saints for 11,000, then a record transfer fee. [71] In 1981, the club changed colours again, albeit temporarily, when Umbro designed and manufactured a Frenchstyle jersey of blue, with a white and red V. These colours were donned for two years, before the traditional colours were reverted to. Helens.". [83] This would be Coan's last year in charge at St Helens after a highly successful period as boss. [175] James Graham, on a positive note, made it a hattrick of exBlackbrook Royals to win the Man of Steel Award whilst playing for St Helens. In both sides first year in coexistence, St Helens finished yet again in a disappointing low midtable finish. [203] [21][22][23][24][25], On 14 June 1913, St Helens Recs joined the Northern Union after defecting from rugby union and association football. However, for the fifth year in a row they were on the losing side, as the injury-plagued squad finally succumbed to Leeds. St Helens had lead the match 12-0 until a late try by Penrith took the game into extra-time. Women's Treble Thatto Heath Crusaders / St Helens. [109] The 197980 season was unsuccessful, with St Helens finishing midtable. 2022 Super League Grand Final - Wikipedia Chisnall was born in St. Helens, England - when it was part of Lancashire county - in 1948. Thatto Heath Crusaders were the first women's team to achieve the treble in British rugby league when they won all three trophies in 2016. Meanwhile in the Women's Super League, Leeds and York have become the first British teams to make match payments to their players this season. 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 recordhigh thirdplaced finish in the league. [105] The club won the Premiership in 1977,[106] but, on 13 December 1977, Saints lost 2611 to Hull Kingston Rovers in the final of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy. [68] A second Lancashire County Cup came in 196061,[69]. Indeed, they won the inaugural Super League, albeit by finishing top of the league before the playoff era. [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. [49], Like during the First World War, the club could not enjoy having a fulltime squad during the Second World War and struggled to compete. Background. St Helens would go on to reach the 2019 Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford against Salford. St Helens' adversity a positive test of character insists ex-player 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 twoyear contract. 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 broken out between the two sets of players, the game is certainly regarded as a feisty one, as well as one that produces entertaining rugby. 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. 2010 was the year that saw Potter surrender to his critics and leave St. Helens. They are the current Super League and World Club Challenge champions having won last season's Grand Final, and the World Club Challenge, becoming the first English team to win in Australia, since the 1994 World Club Challenge. "He has time for everyone and is always there for anyone who needs him. [157] He was sacked for gross misconduct a week later. Close player. [7][42] They won their first ever National Championship in the 193132 season,[43] defeating Huddersfield 95 in the final. The 1985 New Zealand tour jersey was similar to the home shirt of 2009, sponsored also by Pilkington. [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. After retiring from professional rugby in 2015, Wellens has been involved with the St Helens coaching staff and has said it has only made him appreciate Roby more as a leader. [147] They also won the Challenge Cup in 2001; 136 over Bradford,[148] with the final held at Twickenham Stadium for the first time,[149] and the 2001 World Club Challenge, earning a 2018 win over the Broncos. Close player. "Some players are quality on a club level and it is a privilege to get to know them and play with them for England and he was everything I thought he would be on the international stage: unassuming in the way he went about his business but with a level of skill that goes under the radar. Evans' first full season in charge at the club saw him win the club's eighth Lancashire Cup in 1968; winning 1310 against Warrington after a replay. England vs Tonga three-Test series confirmed as three UK venues St.Helens R.F.C. 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. 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.[286]. 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. St Helens were placed in Division 1 but finished next to bottom and suffered relegation. [118] In Benyon's last season as coach, 198586, nothing was won.[119]. [104] In the same year, St Helens lost to Eastern Suburbs in an unofficial World Club Challenge Final by 25 points to 2. NEW ARRIVALS; 2023 KIT. "I am so happy for Robes in what he has achieved so far and he deserves all the accolades he gets even though he would be happy not to get any, he just wants to get on with it and win the next game for his town of St.