OFFICIAL E-PROGRAMME Versus Wigan Warriors | 30 October 2020 Kick-off 7.45pm Totally Wicked Stadium BETFRED WHERE YOU SEE AN CONTENTS ARROW - CLICK ME! 04 06 10 View from the Club James Roby Interview Top News 13 23 39 Opposition Heritage Squads SUPER LEAGUE HONOURS: PRE–SUPER LEAGUE HONOURS: Editor: Jamie Allen Super League Winners: 1996, 1999, Championship: 1931–32, 1952–53, Contributors: Alex Service, Bill Bates, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2019 1958–59, 1965–66, 1969–70, 1970–71, Steve Manning, Liam Platt, Gary World Club Challenge Honours: 1974–75 Wilton, Adam Cotham, Mark Onion, St. Helens R.F.C. Ltd 2001, 2007 Challenge Cup: 1955–56, 1960–61, Conor Cockroft. Totally Wicked Stadium, Challenge Cup Honours: 1996, 1997, 1965–66, 1971–72, 1975–76 McManus Drive, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008 Leaders’ Shield: 1964–65, 1965–66 Photography: Bernard Platt, Liam St Helens, WA9 3AL BBC Sports Team Of The Year: 2006 Regal Trophy: 1987–88 Platt, SW Pix. League Leaders’ Shield: 2005, 2006, Premiership: 1975–76, 1976–77, Tel: 01744 455 050 2007, 2008, 2014, 2018, 2019 1984–85, 1992–93 Fax: 01744 455 055 Lancashire Cup: 1926–27, 1953–54, Ticket Hotline: 01744 455 052 1960–61, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, Email: [email protected] 1964–65, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1984–85, Web: www.saintsrlfc.com 1991–92 Lancashire League: 1929–30, Founded 1873 1931–32, 1952–53, 1959–60, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1968–69 Charity Shield: 1992–93 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy: 1971–72, 1975–76 3 VIEW FROM THE CLUB... KRISTIAN WOOLF I was really proud of the effort our young blokes opportunity now to get straight into a final series came up with on Monday and I thought they did and have some integrity about it. There has been themselves and the Club proud. There was a a lot of different ideas tossed around and I don’t number of debutants and others who have only think you can go to seven or eight teams. We have played one or two games at this level, but what got an 11-team competition and I can’t see how they had about them is a ton of heart and effort eight of those can go through to finals. I think the and they certainly put it all on the line and tried original system of five teams would be fair and as really hard. We have got to remember some of things stand we have five teams who realistically those blokes hadn’t played any footy whatsoever all have a chance of playing in the playoffs and I since March which is even more credit to them. said it is not anyone’s fault that some teams can’t They put themselves in a position to win the game complete games, so I think that would be fair going and at the end we probably did everything, but win forward. it! A couple of crucial errors cost us but they will learn from it and will benefit from it. James Graham announced this week that he will be retiring at the end of the season and he deserves all the tributes he gets. He has been a great servant over here and over in Australia and his record in terms of what he has been able to do in both competitions and internationally is terrific. It’s been a privilege to work with him over the last few weeks and I wish I had more time with him. His example is the best example any young bloke in our game can follow and I am sad to see it will finish this year, but we can share the end of his career with him and I know the rest of the group want to send him off in a positive way. This week we also heard the news that two further matches were cancelled. It is an enormous worry. Our main priority is to focus on tonight’s match, but unfortunately and this isn’t due to anyone’s fault, but the competition has now become compromised and it has been compromised in a number of ways. We have got a top four set up and a number of teams still battling for that and the fact of the matter is some teams are going to play as many as 20 games and others will play Having said that, we can’t focus on anything but as many as 15 games and that compromises the tonight’s match with Wigan. It is a big game and competition in itself. Teams that deserve to be one our whole squad is really looking forward to. playing finals footy, could miss out. Those players that we didn’t play on Monday night, didn’t play Friday with this game in mind. It’s a top It’s something that needs to be looked at, now. It of the table clash, an original derby and we are has been branded around that this week could be very aware of it over in Australia too. It is really the last weekend of regular season games and I exciting to be part of and I know our blokes will be think that is what has to happen. Otherwise we are at their best tonight and I can’t wait to see that. going to continue with a compromised competition and it will only become more so. We have got an Enjoy the game. 4 TOTALLY WICKED ST. HELENS IS MOVING HOME, SOON. MOVING HERE SOON Boots CURRENTLY McDonald’s HERE Church Square Church St Shopping Centre St Mary’s Market In the coming weeks In the meantime we are still Totally Wicked St. Helens open as usual at 48 Church will be relocating to: St, St. Helens, WA10 1AD 18 Church Street, with all the Covid-19 safety St. Helens, WA10 1BD. measures in place. PROUD SPONSORS OF TW_Saints_Ad_160720.indd 1 12/08/2020 15:44 JAMES ROBY CAPTAIN JAMES ROBY HAS HIGH PRAISE FOR THE SAINTS YOUNGSTERS, HIS MATE JAMMER AND PREVIEWS TONIGHT’S DERBY! 6 As captain you must have been proud be in the same position soon. We know it of the youngsters and debutants’ is coming at some point, but it’s still hard. performances against Salford? Jammers time is nearly here, and I think everything that has been said about him, I was really proud, they all did great. Any debut is special, but five in one game is especially from Eamonn – ‘one of the all- brilliant for the players and the Club and time greats’ – which he definitely is in my the staff who have had an impact on them opinion - is a perfect tribute to him. I have through the Academy pathway. They didn’t grown up with Jammer and I know him as look out of place at all and we know what a person. The emotion he carries into his they are capable of as we train with them performances, he is a fantastic leader and every day and I told them that before the a great role model for the younger lads. The game. They were really unlucky to lose the way his voice carries around any dressing game and there was some cruel lessons to room in the world, and the way he delivers learn. I am sure they will have long enough that message as well, I think that is the one careers to forget about that and put it to thing that is unique with him. He is a rare bed! breed and will be missed. I suppose he will One of those cruel lessons was for be looking forward to his life after rugby, debutant Tom Nisbet who knocked on kicking back and chilling out in his beach- over the try-line. Have had a word with him side mansion - [laughs!]. He is one of the this week? all-time greats and it has been a privilege to have grown up and been around him. There has been a bit of friendly banter going around, but then again everyone has Do you ever joke with him that you have put their arm around him this week! ‘Nis’ more Grand Final rings than him? had a great game and he didn’t do anything wrong other than that one mistake. You I don’t think I would make that joke - could tell he was gutted after the game and [laughs]! He is quite aggressive at times! I he probably scores that 999 times out of do actually think it is a bit of a shame that a 1000 and unlucky for him it was on his he left at the time he did and I know we have debut. Everyone makes mistakes and as only won two more since he has been gone, long as you learn from them that is the main but such a great player deserves more in my thing. I am sure he will have a good future in eyes. He has the three Challenge Cups, but the game. if we can help get him another Grand Final ring this year it will be great! And as a hooker how impressed were you with Josh Eaves’ performance? And it’s the Derby tonight. A big game ahead…! I thought Evo went brilliant. He is very dependable, a terrier and he will always fight A massive game! It’s been a bit strange this and give it his all. He got his try early doors year as you don’t know what is coming next which will do wonders for his confidence with stuff changing all the time.