St Helens R.F.C.
Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox rugby league club St Helens R.F.C., commonly known as Saints, is a professional rugby league club in St Helens, Merseyside, England. Founded in 1873, the club is one of the oldest members of the Rugby Football League, and one of the most successful clubs in its history. The club plays their home games at the BrewDog Stadium and currently compete in Super League, the top tier of British rugby league system. Since 1961 the club's home colours have been distinctive white shirts with a prominent red "V" on the chest of the jersey.
St Helens have won the League Championship 17 times, the Challenge Cup 13 times and World Club Challenge on three occasions.<ref name="St Helens RLFC Club Records">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="St Helens RLFC Club Profile">Template:Cite web</ref> Since the foundation of the Super League in 1996, Saints have been the most successful team, winning 10 championships (including 4 in a row between 2019 and 2022), and being runner up a further 5 times (losing to Leeds Rhinos each time between 2007 and 2011), while winning the League Leaders Shield 9 times.
The club have a traditional rivalry with Wigan Warriors as the two most successful clubs in the British game, and close regional rivals. The clubs face each other traditionally on Good Friday. The club also have a local rivalry with the Warrington Wolves and a rivalry with Leeds Rhinos borne out of close competition during the Super League era.
History
Early years (1873–1945)
St Helens are the oldest members of the Rugby Football League.<ref name="The Great Schism">Template:Cite web</ref> Founded as St Helens Football Club on 19 November 1873 at the Fleece Hotel by William Douglas Herman,<ref name="St Helens RLFC Club History">Template:Cite web</ref> they played their first ever match on 31 January 1874 against Liverpool Royal Infirmary.<ref name="St Helens First Match">Template:Cite web</ref> They became known as St Helens Rangers up until the 1880s. The club moved from the City Road Ground in 1890 where they had shared with St Helens Recs when neither were members of the Northern Rugby Football Union.<ref name="St Helens RLFC Club History" /> 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.<ref name="The Great Schism" /> 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.<ref name="Saints' first match in Northern Union">Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name="Challenge Cup Role of Honour">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="1897 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> with Dave "Red" Traynor scoring the lone St Helens' try.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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Between 1897 and 1901, St Helens were not successful, even generally considered a mid—table side.<ref name="1897/1898 Lancashire League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1898/1899 Lancashire League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1899/1900 Lancashire League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1900–1901 Lancashire League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> In the 1901–02 season, however, they did finish third in the Lancashire league.<ref name="1901/1902 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1902/1903 Division 1 League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> Promotion was gained at the first attempt,<ref name="1903/1904 Division 2 League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> only for another poor year to see them finish once again in a relegation position.<ref name="1904/1905 Division 1 League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> However the two Divisions became one League to save the club from a second relegation.<ref name="1905/1906 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name="1906/1907 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> third to bottom in 1908,<ref name="1907/1908 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> and consistently mid—table between 1909 and 1913.<ref name="1908/1909 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1909/1910 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1910/1911 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1911/1912 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1912/1913 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="1913/1914 Emergency War League Table">Template:Cite web</ref>
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,<ref name="1915/1916 Emergency War League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1916/1917 Emergency War League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1917/1918 Emergency War League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> with the club finishing mid—table in the first year of the war,<ref name="1914/1915 Emergency War League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> as well as being beaten by 37 points to 3 by Huddersfield in that year's Challenge Cup Final.<ref name="1915 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="1918/1919 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> The club's lack of success and disappointing league finishes continued for another seven seasons.<ref name="1919/1920 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1920/1921 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1921/1922 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1922/1923 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1923/1924 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1924/1925 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1925/1926 Northern Football Union League Table">Template:Cite web</ref>
The club defeated town rivals the Recs in the Lancashire County Cup Final by 10 points to 2 in the 1926–27 season.<ref name="1926/1927 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> The season after, they were trophyless, finishing tenth in a 28—team league.<ref name="1928/1929 Lancashire Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Challenge Cup Role of Honour" /><ref name="Ray French Top Six Upsets">Template:Cite news</ref> They won their first ever National Championship in the 1931–32 season,<ref name="1931/1932 National League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> defeating Huddersfield 9–5 in the final.<ref name="1931/1932 National League Final">Template:Cite web</ref> This was the same season that they won their second Lancashire League,<ref name="1930/1931 Lancashire League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> the first coming in the 1929–30 season.<ref name="1929/1930 Lancashire League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> They lost the 1933 Lancashire Cup Final to Warrington,<ref name="1933 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> whilst finishing in no competitive position in the league once more.<ref name="1932/1933 National League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> St Helens reached no finals or achieved any more honours during the remainder of the 1930s.<ref name="St Helens RLFC Club Records" /> 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.<ref name="History of Pilkington Recs RLFC">Template:Cite web</ref>
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,<ref name="1941/1942 Emergency War League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> and did not win any regional honours. They finished bottom of the EWL in seasons 1942–43<ref name="1942/1943 Emergency War League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> and 1943–44<ref name="1943/1944 Emergency War League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> and next-to-bottom in 1944–45.<ref name="1944/1945 Emergency War League Table">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="1945/46 National League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1946/47 National League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1947/48 National League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1948/49 National League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1949/50 National League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> The first two years of the 1950s, the last two years of Peter Lyons' reign, also ended trophyless.<ref name="1950/51 National League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1951/52 National League Table">Template:Cite web</ref>
The arrival of Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1952<ref name="Saints Coaching Register">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1953 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> They didn't have long to wait for trophies as St Helens won the Lancashire Leagues, in 1952–53,<ref name="1952–53 Lancashire League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> 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),<ref name="Challenge Cup Role of Honour" /><ref name="1956 Challenge Cup Final Commentary">Template:Cite web</ref> On Saturday 24 November 1956, St Helens inflicted a touring Australia its biggest ever defeat with a 44–2 win.<ref name="Jim Sullivan Timeline">Template:Cite web</ref>
The following year saw Saints win the 1956-7 Lancashire League 1956–57<ref name="1956–57 Lancashire League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> and they won it again in 1958–59.<ref name="1958–59 Lancashire League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> Sullivan's second championship came in 1958–59.<ref name="1958–59 League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> A second Lancashire County Cup came in 1960–61,<ref name="1961 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref>
Ex—St Helens captain and prop-forward Alan Prescott took over from Jim Sullivan as head coach in 1959.<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" /> 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.<ref name="1959–60 Lancashire League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> During this decade, the recognisable 'red vee' strip first appeared in 1961 for the final against Wigan. St Helens won this epic 12–6,<ref name="Challenge Cup Role of Honour" /><ref name="1961 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> and the kit has since become synonymous with the club. Mick Sullivan joined Saints for £11,000, then a record transfer fee.Template: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.<ref name="1962 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> After his departure in 1962, Stan McCormick led the club to retaining the Lancashire Cup in his first year,<ref name="1963 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> again beating Swinton; and St Helens made it a quadruplet of Lancashire Cup successes with wins against Leigh in 1964,<ref name="1964 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> and once more Swinton in 1965, the latter success under coach Joe Coan.<ref name="1965 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> St Helens won the Western Division Championship under McCormick's rule, beating Swinton 10–7.<ref name="1964 Western Championship Final">Template:Cite web</ref> St Helens, under coach Joe Coan, lost the 1964–65 Championship final to Halifax at Station Road, Swinton.<ref name="1964/65 Championship Final">Template:Cite web</ref> The 1965 New Zealand tourists appeared at Knowsley Road on Wednesday 15 September. Saints inflicted a 28–7 defeat on their visitors,<ref name="Saints vs. 1965 New Zealand Tour">Template:Cite web</ref> their biggest loss of the tour. A League<ref name="1966 League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> and Cup<ref name="Challenge Cup Role of Honour" /><ref name="1966 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> double was achieved under Coan in the 1965–66 season, whilst they lost the Floodlit Trophy final against Castleford.<ref name="1966 Floodlit Trophy Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name="1967 Championship Final Replay">Template:Cite web</ref> after a 7–7 draw 4 days earlier.<ref name="1967 Championship Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1968 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> St Helens retained the Lancashire Cup the year later,<ref name="1969 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> whilst also winning the Lancashire League for being the highest placed Lancashire side in the National standings,<ref name="1968/69 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref> and they also reached the final of the Floodlit Trophy that season, where they were beaten 7–4 by Wigan.<ref name="1969 Floodlit Trophy Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1970 Championship Final">Template:Cite web</ref>
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,<ref name="1970/71 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1971 Championship Final">Template:Cite web</ref> and reached two finals, the Lancashire Cup and Floodlit Trophy, losing both.<ref name="1971 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1971 Floodlit Trophy Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1970/71 European Championship Final 1st Leg">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1970/71 European Championship Final 2nd Leg">Template:Cite web</ref> In their first Challenge Cup Final of the 1970s, they defeated Leeds in 1972 16–13,<ref name="Challenge Cup Role of Honour" /><ref name="1972 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> in addition to winning their first Floodlit Trophy, after losing out in the final three times before, with an 8–2 win over Rochdale.<ref name="1972 Floodlit Trophy Final">Template:Cite web</ref> The club reached the Championship final in that season, but were beaten.<ref name="1972 Championship Final">Template:Cite web</ref> No success was achieved in seasons 1972–73 and 1973–74, with St Helens finishing third and second in the respective years.<ref name="1972/73 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1973/74 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref> This could be a possible reason for Jim Challinor's replacement with Eric Ashton as head coach.<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" /> In Ashton's first season in charge, St Helens won the Championship,<ref name="1974/75 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref> and contested the inaugural Premiership Final, losing 26–11 to Leeds.<ref name="1975 Premiership Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Challenge Cup Role of Honour" /><ref name="1976 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> They also won the Premiership against Salford,<ref name="1976 Premiership Final">Template:Cite web</ref> and the Floodlit Trophy against Dewsbury in a successful season.<ref name="1976 Floodlit Trophy Final">Template:Cite web</ref> In the same year, St Helens lost to Eastern Suburbs in an unofficial World Club Challenge Final by 25 points to 2.<ref name="1976 World Club Challenge">Template:Cite web</ref> The club won the Premiership in 1977,<ref name="1977 Premiership Final">Template:Cite web</ref> but, on 13 December 1977, Saints lost 26–11 to Hull Kingston Rovers in the final of the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy.<ref name="1977 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final">Template:Cite web</ref> In 1978 Leeds avenged their 1972 loss against St Helens, emerging winners by 14–12.<ref name="Challenge Cup Role of Honour" /><ref name="1978 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> St Helens lost the Floodlit Trophy in the 1978–79 season, going down to Widnes.<ref name="1979 Floodlit Trophy Final">Template:Cite web</ref> The 1979–80 season was unsuccessful, with St Helens finishing mid—table.<ref name="1979/80 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref> Eric Ashton left the club after this disappointing year.<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" />
The 1980s, and early to mid-1990s
Former club player and Welsh international Kel Coslett took over as coach in June 1980.<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" /><ref name="Kel Coslett Bio">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1980/81 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1981/82 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref> He held the post for two years before handing over to Billy Benyon.<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" /><ref name="Billy Benyon Bio">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1983 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> Nothing was won in the 1983–84 season,<ref name="1983/84 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref> but Saints won back the Lancashire Cup, with a 26–18 win at Wigan in the 1984–85 season.<ref name="1985 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1985 Premiership Final">Template:Cite web</ref> In Benyon's last season as coach, 1985–86, nothing was won.<ref name="1985/86 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref>
The arrival of Alex Murphy as coach in 1986<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" /><ref name="Alex Murphy Bio">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1987 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1988 John Player Trophy Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="1988 Premiership Final">Template:Cite web</ref> Nothing was achieved in the next two seasons,<ref name="1988/89 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1989/90 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref> including a defeat in the 1989 Challenge Cup Final<ref name="1989 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> and Murphy stood down as coach.
Murphy was succeeded by Mike McClennan in February 1990.<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" /> 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.<ref name="1991 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> They won the Lancashire Cup, in the 1991–92 season, beating Rochdale Hornets.<ref name="1992 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> They also lost the Premiership Final that season, losing to Wigan.<ref name="1992 Premiership Final">Template:Cite web</ref> In 1993 the club avenged their defeat by Wigan the season previous to win the Premiership,<ref name="1993 Premiership Final">Template:Cite web</ref> in the same season that they won the Charity Shield,<ref name="1993 Charity Shield">Template:Cite web</ref> and lost the Lancashire Cup final.<ref name="1993 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> McClennan was head coach until December 1993, when Eric Hughes succeeded him as head coach in 1994.<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" /> Under Hughes, St Helens only reached the one, Regal Trophy Final, where they lost to Wigan in 1996 by 25 to 16.<ref name="1996 Regal Trophy Final">Template:Cite web</ref> They finished fourth in both of Hughes' seasons in charge.<ref name="1994/95 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1995/96 League Tables">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" />
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.<ref name="1999 Super League Grand Final">Template:Cite web</ref> They also won the World Club Challenge in 2001 and 2007, beating Brisbane both times.<ref name="2001 World Club Challenge">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="St Helens 18-14 Brisbane Broncos World Club Challenge">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2023 they then beat Penrith Panthers 13-12 in Australia to win it for a third time.
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),<ref name="1996 Super League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> 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<ref name="1996 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> and 1997<ref name="1997 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref>). St Helens lost consecutive Premiership finals to Wigan in 1996,<ref name="1996 Premiership Final">Template:Cite web</ref> and 1997.<ref name="1997 Premiership Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 1998 proved to be a trophyless year,<ref name="1998 Super League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> and Ellery Hanley succeeded McRae in 1999, after the Australian left for new Super League side Gateshead.<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" /> Hanley led Saints to Grand Final success against Bradford in October of his first year in charge.<ref name="1999 Super League Grand Final" /> 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.<ref name="Hanley Appointed Doncaster Coach">Template:Cite news</ref> Ian Millward was appointed as Hanley's successor as head coach.<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" />
2000s
Millward's reign and a controversial sacking (2000–2005)
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,<ref name="2000 World Club Challenge">Template:Cite web</ref> but lead them to retaining their Super League title in 2000 beating Wigan 29–16.<ref name="Super League IV Grand Final">Template:Cite news</ref> They also won the Challenge Cup in 2001; 13–6 over Bradford,<ref name="2001 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> with the final held at Twickenham Stadium for the first time,<ref name="RFL Remains Bullish on Twickenham">Template:Cite news</ref> and the 2001 World Club Challenge, earning a 20–18 win over the Broncos.<ref name="2001 World Club Challenge"/><ref name="World Club Challenge">Template:Cite news</ref> Millward then lead Saints to the top of Super League VII, and to reclaim the Super League title in the 2002 Grand Final,<ref name="Super League VII Table">Template:Cite web</ref> Sean Long snatching a last minute 19–18 win over the Bradford with a drop—goal.<ref name="2002 Super League Grand Final">Template:Cite web</ref> They lost the 2002 Challenge Cup Final to Wigan at Murrayfield Stadium by 21 points to 12.<ref name="2002 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> They were hammered in the 2003 World Club Challenge by Sydney by 38 points to 0.<ref name="2003 World Club Challenge">Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name="2004 Challenge Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> Long gaining his second of an eventual three Lance Todd Trophies.<ref name="Lance Todd Trophy Winners">Template:Cite news</ref>
Millward's reign was not without controversy and his St Helens career ended controversially after he was suspended in May 2005.<ref name="Millward Suspended For Swearing">Template:Cite news</ref> He was sacked for gross misconduct a week later.<ref name="Boss Millward Sacked By St Helens">Template:Cite news</ref> Daniel Anderson was appointed as coach,<ref name="Saints Coaching Register" /> Millward was then made coach of archrivals Wigan.<ref name="Millward Appointed Coach of Wigan">Template:Cite news</ref>
The Anderson era (2005–2008)
Daniel Anderson saw his new team become the first team to top the Super League and fail to reach Old Trafford in 2005.<ref name="2005 Super League Table">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2005 Super League Play-offs Final Eliminator">Template:Cite web</ref> However, St Helens won the 2006 Challenge Cup Final at Twickenham Stadium, beating Huddersfield 42–12.<ref name="St Helens 42-12 Huddersfield">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Lance Todd Trophy Winners" />
St Helens followed up their Challenge Cup win by claiming the League Leader's Shield,<ref name="2006 Super League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> before cementing their reputation as the team of the year by defeating Hull 26 points to 4 in the Super League Grand Final.<ref name="St Helens 26-4 Hull FC">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Wellens Wins Man of Steel Award">Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref name="St Helens Win Sports Personality of the Year Team Award">Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref name="St Helens 18-14 Brisbane Broncos World Club Challenge" />
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In July, they beat Super League rivals, Bradford,<ref name="2007 Challenge Cup Semi-Final">Template:Cite web</ref> to reach the first Challenge Cup final at the new Wembley Stadium.<ref name="Challenge Cup Returns To Wembley">Template:Cite news</ref> Here, St Helens successfully defended their Challenge Cup by defeating Catalans Dragons 30–8 in the final on 25 August 2007.<ref name="St Helens 30-8 Catalans Dragons 2007 Challenge Cup">Template:Cite news</ref> They were beaten in the Grand Final that year by Leeds by 33 points to 6,<ref name="St Helens 6-33 Leeds Rhinos">Template:Cite news</ref> despite finishing at the top of the league ladder for the third successive season.<ref name="2007 Super League Table">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="St Helens 28-16 Hull FC">Template:Cite news</ref> Paul Wellens received the Lance Todd Trophy after sharing the award with team-mate Leon Pryce the year earlier.<ref name="Lance Todd Trophy Winners" />
They also achieved first place again in the 2008 Super League season—for the fourth year running<ref name="2008 Super League Table">Template:Cite web</ref>—winning the League Leaders Shield, and beat Leeds 38–10 for the right to go to Old Trafford to contest the Grand Final.<ref name="2008 Super League Play-offs Qualifying Final">Template:Cite web</ref> However, St Helens were once again defeated by Leeds in the Grand Final, by a margin of 24 to 16, on 4 October 2008.<ref name="St Helens 16-24 Leeds Rhinos">Template:Cite news</ref> 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)
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,<ref name="Cup Venues Announced">Template:Cite news</ref> where they were beaten by 24 points to 14 by the Huddersfield Giants.<ref name="Saints vs. Huddersfield Challenge Cup">Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name="Saints vs. Wigan Play-Off">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos">Template:Cite news</ref> 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
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,<ref name="Long - Potter exit no shock">Template:Cite news</ref> as well as the continued fan rejection saw him let his contract run out and, initially, seek a job in the NRL,<ref name="Change of scenery for Potter">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Gidley empathises with Potter">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Long not surprised by Potter exit">Template:Cite web</ref> but eventually, and perhaps surprisingly, join Bradford on a two—year contract.<ref name="Potter lands Bradford Bulls job">Template:Cite web</ref> Names like Royce Simmons,<ref name="Royce Simmons the surprising front-runner to take over at St Helens">Template:Cite news</ref> Mal Meninga,<ref name="Meninga 'would consider' Saints">Template:Cite news</ref> and assistant coach Kieron Purtill,<ref name="Purtill waits on Saints job">Template:Cite news</ref> were linked with the job for 2011. Simmons was the chosen man for the job, as announced on 22 July 2010.<ref name="Saints Appoint Royce Simmons">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Simmons to coach Saints">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Cunningham is Man of Bronze">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Cunningham Finds Permanent Place With His Saints">Template:Cite news</ref> He would additionally take up a coaching role with the academy, as well as a strength and conditioning role with the first team.<ref name="Saints Appoint Royce Simmons" /> 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.<ref name="Potter: Semi-final Continues Saints Success">Template:Cite web</ref> However, Saints failure to perform on the big stage was once more shown, going down in this semi—final by 32–28.<ref name="Saints' Final Hopes Dashed By Rhinos">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="St Helens 42-22 Huddersfield Giants">Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name="Too close to call">Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name="Warriors too good for Saints">Template:Cite news</ref> 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 (2011–2018)
Template:Update section 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.Template: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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
During the Super League XXIV season, St Helens reached the Challenge Cup final against Warrington but lost the match 18–4 at Wembley Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The "Four-Peat" and World Club Challenge
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> St Helens finished the 2021 Super League season in second place on the table.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Before the start of the 2023 Super League season, St Helens travelled to Australia for the 2023 World Club Challenge. A week before the match, St Helens played one pre-season trial fixture against St. George Illawarra which St Helens won 30–18 at WIN Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the week leading up to the World Club Challenge game against Penrith, many pundits, former players and coaches predicted St Helens would lose the match heavily with Phil Gould stating "Penrith should be allowed to declare at half-time". 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 had led the match 12-0 until a late try by Penrith took the game into extra-time.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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Post 2023 World Club Challenge
In the 2023 Super League season, St Helens finished third on the table equal on points with league leaders Wigan and the Catalans Dragons. In the elimination playoff, the club defeated Warrington which set up a match with Catalans at the Stade Gilbert Brutus. St Helens lead the match until the final minute when Catalans player Sam Tomkins scored a try underneath the posts to win the match for Catalans and end St Helens four-year dominance of the competition.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
St Helens began the 2024 Super League season strongly winning six of their opening seven games. However, injuries in the middle of the season to key players saw results drop. On 26 July 2024, St Helens were defeated by Leigh 46-4 which meant the club had lost five matches in a row for the first time since the Super League era began.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> St Helens would finish the 2024 Super League season in sixth place on the table, their lowest finish of the Super League era. The club were eliminated in the first week of the playoffs against Warrington. St Helens were not expected to win the game but took Warrington to golden point extra-time where George Williams would kick the winning drop goal for Warrington.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the 2025 Super League season, St Helens would finish 5th on the table. In the playoff eliminator against Leeds, the club trailed by 10 points with less than nine minutes remaining before they scored two tries to win the match 16–14. The final try was scored after the full-time siren and was reminiscent of the "wide to west" try which was scored by the club 25 years prior. In the semi-final against league leaders Hull Kingston Rovers, the club would succumb to a 20–12 loss which ended their season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Academy
Players who began their professional career in the academy and reserves (previously known as the "St Helens Colts") include Steve Prescott,<ref name="Steve Prescott profile">Template:Cite web</ref> Paul Forber,<ref name="Paul Forber profile">Template:Cite web</ref> Gary Connolly,<ref name="Gary Connolly profile">Template:Cite web</ref> and Chris Arkwright.<ref name="Chris Arkwright profile">Template:Cite web</ref> Players have come from areas such as Widnes, Wigan, Cumbria and Oldham. Daniel Brotherton, a winger from Northampton, signed a professional contract with the club from Northampton Demons.<ref name="Dan Brotherton signs for Saints – RL that is!">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Saints Sign Daniel Brotherton">Template:Cite web</ref>
Women's side
Rivalries
Wigan Warriors
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.<ref name="1st St Helens vs. Wigan game">Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name="1st St Helens vs. Wigan game" /> 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.<ref name="Saints vs. Wigan Head-to-Head Since 1895">Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name="1961 Challenge Cup Final"/><ref name="1966 Challenge Cup Final"/><ref name="1989 Challenge Cup Final"/><ref name="1991 Challenge Cup Final"/><ref name="2002 Challenge Cup Final"/><ref name="2004 Challenge Cup Final"/> and have met in three Super League Grand Finals; St Helens winning 29–16 in 2000,<ref name="2002 Super League Grand Final"/> with Wigan initially gaining revenge in 2010, with a 22–10 win,<ref name="Warriors too good for Saints" /> 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,<ref name="1992 Premiership Final"/><ref name="1993 Premiership Final"/><ref name="1996 Premiership Final"/><ref name="1997 Premiership Final"/> 3 Lancashire County Cup Finals, St Helens winning two, Wigan one,<ref name="1992 Lancashire Cup Final"/><ref name="1953 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="1984 Lancashire Cup Final">Template:Cite web</ref> and one Floodlit Trophy Final in 1968, Wigan winning 7–4.<ref name="1968 Floodlit Trophy Final">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="2007 Magic Weekend">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2008 Magic Weekend">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2009 Magic Weekend">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2011 Magic Weekend">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="St Helens 75-0 Wigan">Template:Cite web</ref> Wigan's biggest win was a 65–12 win in Super League II, 1997.<ref name="St Helens 12-65 Wigan">Template:Cite web</ref>
| Super League record | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Draw | Loss | ||||||||
| 26 | 4 | 30 | ||||||||
<ref name="Super League record vs Wigan">Template:Cite web</ref>
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,<ref name="St Helens 40 v 32 Bradford Bulls">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="St Helens 32 v 22 Bradford Bulls">Template:Cite web</ref> and later in 2001,<ref name="St Helens 13 v 6 Bradford Bulls">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="St Helens 8 v 6 Bradford Bulls">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="St Helens 19 v 18 Bradford Bulls">Template:Cite web</ref>
| Super League record | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Draw | Loss | ||||||||
| 24 | 1 | 20 | ||||||||
<ref name="Super League record vs Bradford">Template:Cite web</ref>
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,<ref name="St Helens 6-33 Leeds Rhinos" /><ref name="St Helens 16-24 Leeds Rhinos" /><ref name="St Helens 10-18 Leeds Rhinos" /> 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.<ref name="St Helens 16-13 Leeds">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="St Helens 12-14 Leeds">Template:Cite web</ref> 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 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. 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.<ref name="St Helens 24-28 Leeds">Template:Cite web</ref>
| Super League record | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Draw | Loss | ||||||||
| 24 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||
<ref name="Super League record vs Leeds">Template:Cite web</ref>
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,<ref name="St Helens 13-10 Warrington">Template:Cite web</ref> and one Premiership final, St Helens winning in 1977.<ref name="St Helens 32-20 Warrington">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
| Super League record | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Draw | Loss | ||||||||
| 35 | 2 | 9 | ||||||||
<ref name="Super League record vs Warrington">Template:Cite web</ref>
Associates
Junior rugby in St Helens
There is a massiveTemplate:Clarify 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.<ref name="St Helens 1st team squad">Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref name="Keiron Cunningham profile">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.
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Blackbrook Royals have a large contingent of players in St Helens first team squad.
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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.<ref name="Emmitt: Dual System Is Giving Me Confidence">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Toronto Becomes Second CRL Domestic Club">Template:Cite web</ref> Outside of rugby league, St Helens have forged partnerships with British Basketball League side Mersey Tigers,<ref name="Saints Join Forces With Everton Tigers">Template:Cite web</ref> and English Premier Ice Hockey League team Manchester Phoenix.<ref name="Saints Team Up With Manchester Phoenix">Template:Cite web</ref>
Supporters
St Helens are one of the best supported teams in Super League, averaging 11,543 according to 2014 figures.<ref name="2014 Crowd Average" /> 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,<ref name="Original St Helens R.L.F.C.Supporters Club">Template:Cite web</ref> and one for fans in the South.<ref name="Imperial Exiles">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="Is This Saints' Most Travelled fan?">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Thanks From Katz...">Template:Cite web</ref>
<ref name="RedVee.Net - The N°1 Independent Saints Website - Sponsored By Hattons Solicitors">Template:Cite web</ref>
Super League crowd averages
| Year | Average |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 10,221<ref name="1996 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 1997 | 8,826<ref name="1997 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 1998 | 7,081<ref name="1998 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 1999 | 8,201<ref name="1999 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2000 | 8,880<ref name="2000 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2001 | 8,801<ref name="2001 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2002 | 9,928<ref name="2002 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2003 | 9,819<ref name="2003 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2004 | 9,507<ref name="2004 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2005 | 10,622<ref name="2005 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2006 | 10,721<ref name="2006 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2007 | 9,717<ref name="2007 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2008 | 10,642<ref name="2008 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2009 | 10,985<ref name="2009 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2010 | 11,191<ref name="2010 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2011 | 7,863<ref name="2011 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2012 | 14,221<ref name="2012 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2013 | 11,279<ref name="2013 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2014 | 11,543<ref name="2014 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2015 | 12,364Template:Citation needed |
| 2016 | 10,711<ref name="2016 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2017 | 10,749Template:Citation needed |
| 2018 | 11,478<ref name="2018 Crowd Average">Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2019 | 11,910<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2020 | 12,845<ref>Template:Citation</ref> |
| 2021 | no data |
| 2022 | 11,851<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2023 | 12,695<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2024 | 13,105<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2025 | 11,618<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Notable fans
- David Bernstein—former Chairman of The Football Association<ref name="St Helens-born businessman lands top FA job">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Rob Broughton—professional mixed martial artist of the Ultimate Fighting Championship<ref name="Rob Broughton gets UFC career of to flying start">Template:Cite web</ref>
- 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<ref name="Everton star Tim Cahill shoots commercial at Stobart Stadium">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Dave Chisnall—professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation<ref name="Grand Slam Chizzy">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Ricky Hatton—retired welterweight champion boxer<ref name="Ricky Hatton–The Voice of Hattons TV Advert">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Sue Johnston - Actress, known for her role in The Royle Family
- Phil Lesh—bass player with The Grateful Dead
- Craig Lyon—bantamweight boxer<ref name="Unbeaten St Helens boxer Craig Lyon joins Ricky Hatton stable">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Martin Murray—Commonwealth middleweight champion boxer<ref name="Classy Murray overcomes sledging and spoiling tactics to win Commonwealth title">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Ray Peacock—comedian and actor
- Michael Smith—professional darts player who plays in the Professional Darts Corporation
- Ricky Tomlinson—actor<ref name="A fame of two-halves for Ricky">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Johnny Vegas—actor and comedian<ref name="Johnny Vegas turns out for Saints">Template:Cite news</ref>
Colours and badge
Colours
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.<ref name="1961 Challenge Cup Final" /> 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 oddTemplate: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 controversialTemplate: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.<ref name="Saints Heritage Society">Saints Heritage Society, see General Pages and Shirt Tales. Retrieved 20 October 2010.</ref> 2011 saw the Puma contract expire, and Australian manufacturing giants ISC take over the making of the jerseys.<ref name="Saints Agree Sportswear Partnership With ISC">Template:Cite web</ref> This strip saw a somewhat shorter red vee, compared to the ventures of the design in 2009 and '10.<ref name="Record Pre-Orders For New Home Shirt">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Col-begin-small Template:Col-4
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Badge
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,<ref name="Saints Heritage Society" /> 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.<ref name="There's no identity crisis say Saints">Template:Cite web</ref>
Kit manufacturers and sponsors
Since 2015 St Helens' kit has been supplied by O'Neills.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (2018 - 2021). St. Helens were also sponsored by Gillette<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> for a one-off appearance at the 2004 Dubai Rugby 7s invitational.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See Below:
| Year | Sponsor | Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|
| 1986-87 | St Helens Glass | Umbro |
| 1988-94 | McEwan's Lager | |
| 1995-96 | Stag | |
| 1997-98 | Mizuno | |
| 1999 | John Smith's | |
| 2000 | St Helens Glass | Y2K |
| 2001 | Excito | |
| 2002 | Caledonia | |
| 2003 | Comodo | Puma |
| 2004-05 | All:Sports | |
| 2006-07 | Earth Money | |
| 2008-09 | Pilkington Activ | |
| 2010 | Frontline | |
| 2011 | Medicash | ISC |
| 2012-14 | Typhoo | |
| 2015-16 | O'Neills | |
| 2017 | RCMA Group | |
| 2018-21 | Cash Converters | |
| 2022-26 | Home Bargains |
Mascots
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.<ref name="St Bernard Steps Up to the Challenge">Template:Cite web</ref>
Stadia
Template:Further Template:Multiple image
St Helens' former stadium was Knowsley Road, renamed in 2008 to the GPW Recruitment Stadium for sponsorship reasons.<ref name="St Helens RLFC Club Profile" /> 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.<ref name="St Helens RLFC Club Records" />
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.<ref name="Saints' first match in Northern Union" /> 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.
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.<ref name="5 Clubs Issued With Licensing Letters">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="St Helens RLFC New Stadium">Template:Cite web</ref>
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.<ref name="Work Begins on Bridge">Template:Cite web</ref> 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 played all of their home games there, before permanently relocating in 2012.<ref name="Saints shifting to Widnes">Template:Cite news</ref> Saints currently play at the BrewDog Stadium.
2026 squad
Template:St Helens R.F.C. current squad
2026 transfers
Transfers In
| Player | From | Contract | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Nowrap | Template:Nowrap | 2 years | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Nowrap | Template:Nowrap | 2 years | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Nowrap | Template:Nowrap | 2 years | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Nowrap | Template:Nowrap | 3 years | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Nowrap | Template:Nowrap | 1 year | Template:Nowrap |
| Head Coach | From | Contract | Date |
| Template:Nowrap | Template:Nowrap | 3 Years | Template:Nowrap |
Transfers Out
| Player | To | Contract | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Nowrap | Template:Nowrap | 2 years | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Nowrap | Template:Nowrap | 1 year | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Nowrap | Template:Nowrap | 1 year | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Flagicon Moses Mbye | Ipswich Jets | 1 year | August 2025 |
| Template:Flagicon Joe Batchelor | Template:Nowrap | 3 years | September 2025 |
| Template:Flagicon James Bell | Hull FC | 3 years | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Flagicon Jon Bennison | York Knights | 1 year | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Flagicon Dayon Sambou | Template:Nowrap | 4 years | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Flagicon Jonny Vaughan | Template:Nowrap | 4 years | Template:Nowrap |
| Template:Flagicon Tee Ritson | Template:Nowrap | 2 years | Template:Nowrap |
| Coach | To | Contract | Date |
| Template:Flagicon Paul Wellens | October 2025 |
Players Retired
| Player | Date |
|---|---|
Players
Notable former players
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.<ref name="Greatest Saints Line Up Revealed">Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Rugby league squad start Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad player Template:Rugby league squad end
Players receiving testimonial matches
20 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 loose forward Morgan Knowles in 2025.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Coaches and board
Technical staff
| Name | Job title |
|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon Paul Rowley | Head Coach |
| Template:Flagicon Lee Briers | Assistant Coach |
| Template:Flagicon Eamon O'Carroll | Assistant Coach |
| Template:Flagicon Matt Daniels | Head of Performance |
| Template:Flagicon Nathan Mill | Head Physiotherapsit |
| Template:Flagicon Adam Daniels | Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach |
| Template:Flagicon Andrew Thompson | Physiotherapist |
| Template:Flagicon Paul Johnson | Chaplain & Wellbeing Manager |
| Template:Flagicon Sam Evans | Equipment & Kit Manager, and Training Steward |
| Template:Flagicon JD Abram | Physiotherapist |
| Template:Flagicon Darren Marsh | Strength & Conditioning Coach, and Nutritionist |
| Template:Flagicon Scott Leyland | Performance Analyst |
| Template:Flagicon Derek Jones | Masseur |
| Template:Flagicon Simon Perritt | Club Doctor |
| Template:Flagicon Steve Leonard | RL Development Manager |
| Template:Flagicon Ian Talbot | Reserves Head Coach |
| Template:Flagicon Gary Wheeler | Reserves Assistant Coach |
Boardroom staff
| Name | Job title |
|---|---|
| Template:Flagicon Eamonn McManus | Chairman |
| Template:Flagicon Mike Rush | Chief Executive Officer |
| Template:Flagicon Paul Sculthorpe | Business Development Manager |
| Template:Flagicon Steve Law | Merchandising Manager |
| Template:Flagicon Shaun Dooley | Head of Media & Content |
| Template:Flagicon Mark Onion | Head of Marketing |
| Template:Flagicon Andrew Horsfield | General Manager |
<ref name="Contact Us!">Template:Cite web</ref>
List of former head coaches
Since the end of World War II, St Helens have seen 27 new bosses at the helm at Knowsley Road. Currently, the position is held by No one
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 (8): 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2022
- Premiership
- Winners (4): 1975–76, 1976–77, 1984–85, 1992–93
- League Leaders' Shield
- 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
- 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 (3): 2001, 2007, 2023
Records
Hall of Fame
Player records
Match records
- Most goals in a match: 16 by Paul Loughlin vs Carlisle, 14 September 1986.<ref name="St Helens 112-0 Carlisle"/>
- Most points in a match: 40 by Paul Loughlin vs Carlisle, 14 September 1986.<ref name="St Helens 112-0 Carlisle"/>
- Most tries in a match: 6 by all of the following:
- Alf Ellaby vs Barrow, 5 March 1932.<ref name="St Helens 36-15 Carlisle">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Steve Llewellyn vs Castleford, 3 March 1956.<ref name="St Helens 48-5 Castleford">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Steve Llewellyn vs Liverpool City, 20 August 1956.<ref name="St Helens 56-5 Liverpool City">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Tom van Vollenhoven vs Wakefield Trinity, 21 December 1957.<ref name="St Helens 52-5 Wakefield">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Tom van Vollenhoven vs Blackpool Borough, 23 April 1962.<ref name="St Helens 37-5 Blackpool">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Frank Myler vs Maryport, 1 September 1969.<ref name="St Helens 58-5 Maryport">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Shane Cooper vs Hull FC, 17 February 1988.<ref name="St Helens 64-2 Hull">Template:Cite web</ref>
Season records
- Most tries in a season: 62 by Tom van Vollenhoven, 1958–59.<ref name="Tom van Vollenhoven Profile">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Most goals in a season: 214 by Kel Coslett, 1971–72.<ref name="Kel Coslett Profile">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Most points in a season: 452 by Kel Coslett, 1971–72.<ref name="Kel Coslett Profile" />
Career records
- Most career tries: 392 Tom van Vollenhoven 1957–68 (third highest by any player).<ref name="Tom van Vollenhoven Profile" />
- Most career points: 3,413 Kel Coslett 1961–76.<ref name="Kel Coslett Profile" />
- Most career goals: 1,639 Kel Coslett 1961–76.<ref name="Kel Coslett Profile" />
- Most career drop-goals: 73 Harry Pinner 1975–86.<ref name="Harry Pinner Profile">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Most career appearances: 551 James Roby 2004-2023.<ref name="James Roby Profile">Template:Cite web</ref>
Team records
Points margins
- Highest score: 112–0 vs Carlisle, 14 September 1986.<ref name="St Helens 112-0 Carlisle">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Greatest winning margin: 112 vs Carlisle, 14 September 1986.<ref name="St Helens 112-0 Carlisle"/>
- Heaviest defeat: 78–6 vs Warrington, 12 April 1909.<ref name="St Helens 6-78 Warrington">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Heaviest home defeat: 65–12 vs Wigan, 26 May 1997.
- Greatest losing margin: 72 vs Warrington, 12 April 1909.<ref name="St Helens 6-78 Warrington" />
Attendances
- Highest attendance: 35,695 vs Wigan, 26 December 1949.<ref name="St Helens 15-8 Wigan">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Highest Super League attendance: 18,098 vs Warrington, 26 August 1996.<ref name="St Helens 66-14 Warrington">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Highest Challenge Cup attendance: 30,276 vs Bradford Northern, 19 February 1949.<ref name="St Helens RLFC Club Records" /><ref name="St Helens 0-5 Bradford">Template:Cite web</ref>
- Highest international tour match attendance: 29,156 vs Australia, 10 October 1959.<ref>1958–59 Kangaroo Tour – St Helens vs Australia</ref>
See also
- History 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 Fame
Bibliography
References
External links
Template:St Helens RLFC Template:Super League Europe Template:NRFL