RFL celebrating 125th anniversary

They were present at the inaugural meeting which was held at the George Hotel, Huddersfield, on August 29 ,1895 and as records show are one of the most successful clubs in the history of the competition.

During the Super League era, which was launched in 1996, they won the championship and Challenge Cup double and since then have claimed another six league titles (1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2014 and 2019) and achieved further triumphs in the Challenge Cup (1997, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008), as well as being named BBC Team of the Year in 2006.

An impressive record, which also includes World Club Challenge wins (2001 and 2007), and recipients of the League Leaders' Shield in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014 and 2019.

But they had already been picking up trophies on a regular basis long before the birth of summer rugby, including. Championship wins in 1931-32 , 1952-53, 1958-59, 1965-66, 1969-70. 1970-71, 1974-75, Challenge Cup honours (1955-56, 1960-61, 1965-66, 1971-72 and 1975-76) and the League Leaders' Shield triumphs in 1964-65 and 1965-66.

Add to that a Regal Trophy win in 1987-88, Premiership top dogs (1975-76, 1976-77, 1984-85 and 1992-93), a host of Lancashire Cup and League honours, two-times winners of the BBC Floodlit Trophy (1971-72 and 1975-76) and the Charity Shield in 1992-93 - and that's why they are second only to neighbours Wigan Warriors when it comes to collecting pieces of silverware. in the past 125 years.

At the same time, I have been lucky enough to cover Saints' matches in a professional capacity for four decades and left me thinking about both memorable and not so memorable matches in the club's history which stretches back to 1873 when they were formed as St Helens Rugby Football Club at the Fleece watering hole.

They had the distinction of playing in the first-ever Challenge Cup Final, losing 10-3 to Batley at Leeds on April 24, 1897..but have more than made amends since then.

People often ask which game tops my list of eye-catching encounters and fans may be surprised by my choice unless they were present to watch sizzling Saints thrash Warrington Wolves 80-0 in the semi-final of the Regal Trophy at Knowsley Road on January 4, 1996..

It was poetry in motion from start to finish as coach Eric Hughes steered his charges to a date with arch-rivals Wigan who then ended their neighbours' hopes of lifting a piece of silverware following a 25-16 victory.

Strange as it might sound another match which comes into the 'cracker' bracket only happened at the beginning of August when St Helens produced a magnificent display in bludgeoning the Catalans Dragons 34-6 at Headingley.on a week-end clubs resumed competitive action following the coronavirus lockdown.

Kristian Woolf's boys almost reached the peak of perfection, showing bewildering and almost faultless handling skills and razor sharp tackling.

Of course, there are many more matches I could nominate for a place in the 'best-ever category' but I would be interested in what readers think. You can contact me on [email protected]

Finally, there have also been one or two amusing incidents in the club's history which, until now, have never reached the public domain..

Like the time when the legendary and often controversial Ellery Hanley held the coaching reins at Knowsley Road and took exception to a Saints' match report which Neil Barker had written in the Manchester Evening News.

Ellery stormed into the room where the weekly press conference was being held, called Neil over, and told him: ''My boys want a word with you. ''

Neil, quite sensibly, turned down the offer!

On another occasion - and nearly 24 hours after Saints had won the Challenge Cup - the club mascot was still on the lash and far too intoxicated to take part in the post-match celebrations.

Panic set in until stalwart and club historian Bill Bates stepped in - donning the mascot's outfit and ensuring the homecoming went without a single hitch.