This was also the first jersey to feature the famous stickman of St Helens insignia. During his tenure the club won one league title (1996),[139] a year in which he was named Super League's coach of the year, and enjoyed backtoback successes over Bradford in the Challenge Cup (1996[140] and 1997[141]). 2816. Additionally, Paul Wellens received the Man of Steel Award for the 2006 season. 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. "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. One of the finest finals of the Super League era was anticipated,[195] but the flamboyant Saints that the fans saw so rarely under Potter once more failed to materialise, and, in front of a near sellout crowd of 71,526, they fell to a 2210 loss to rivals Wigan. Their current main shirt sponsor is Home Bargains. Super League salary cap increase approved by Rugby Football League Helens.". 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. St Helens were favourites to reach another grand final but were upset in the preliminary final by Warrington 1813 at Langtree Park. [117] They also won the Premiership in the same season with a 3616 victory over defending champions Hull Kingston Rovers at Elland Road in Leeds. Take a look at James Roby's career highlights as he prepares to make his 500th appearance for St Helens. [61], Former club player and Welsh international Kel Coslett took over as coach in June 1980. [216] All competitive games, i.e. [75] St Helens won the Western Division Championship under McCormick's rule, beating Swinton 107. [3] Founded as St Helens Football Club on 19 November 1873 at the Fleece Hotel by William Douglas Herman,[4] they played their first ever match on 31 January 1874 against Liverpool Royal Infirmary. "The Tonga players and officials, led by coach Kristian Woolf, have pioneered the rise of international Rugby League since the 2017 World Cup and they will create further history by becoming the . [61] In his first season, McClennan took St Helens to the 1991 Challenge Cup Final, where they were defeated by 13 points to 8 by Wigan. However, in 2009, the mascots changed to Boots and Bernard; happy and angry masculine characters. SINK. They have contested the last three Super League finals,[170][175][179] but the rugby they have produced in recent years is considered amongst the best in Super League. [206], Before the start of the 2023 Super League season, St Helens travelled to Australia for the 2023 World Club Challenge. In the week leading up to the World Club Challenge game against Penrith, many pundits, former players and coaches predicted St Helens would lost the match heavily with Phil Gould stating "Penrith should be allowed to declare at half-time".
