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. [179] A trophyless year for the first time since 2003 was another catalyst to Potter's critics abusing and slating his appointment, with even rumours of rifts within the changing rooms. It was the swansong for that side with Kel, compatriot John Mantle and scrum half Jeff Heaton all moving on.

Hoole, Les (8 August 1998). The Rugby League Challenge Cup. Breedon Books Ltd. ISBN 1-85983-094-3. ().But they had a small matter of wrapping up the Premiership with a win over league champions Salford first – followed six weeks later the first unofficial World Club Challenge game against Eastern Suburbs in a three-game tour Down Under. 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, [228] [229] and later in 2001, [230] 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. [231] [232] Super League record The club also have their own supporters clubs, one for the club itself which has folded, [249] and one for fans in the South. [250] 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. [251] [252] Laybourn, Ian (30 January 2017). "Super League team-by-team guide". Sporting Life . Retrieved 17 June 2017.

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. [136] They also won the World Club Challenge in 2001 and 2007, beating Brisbane both times. [137] [138] In 2023 they then beat Penrith Panthers 13-12 in Australia to win it for a third time.Hailing from Bynea in Carmarthenshire, he played for Llanelli and Aberavon in rugby union and won caps against England, Scotland and France in the 1962 Five Nations Championship, but it’s in Rugby League where he became famous after moving north to join St Helens later that year. Everyone who watched or who was a team-mate of Kel’s during his playing days will have their own memories of the Great Man. In the beginning it wasn’t easy, with an early ankle break hindering progress. After his own position in the number one jersey was in jeopardy, he had the adaptability to re-invent himself as a loose forward and become an integral member of the Saints who became one of the game’s most dominant teams in the late 1960s to the mid 1970s. Northern Football Union League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 24 April 1925 . Retrieved 2 August 2010. He was an integral member of the Saints’ side that won four trophies – Lancashire League, League Leader’s Bowl, Challenge Cup and League Championship – in 1965-66, when he showed terrific stamina, playing in no less than 48 matches during the campaign, relishing the emphasis on fitness that Coach Joe Coan had brought to the club.

It was a bizarre start to the match, we were in control and then 12-0 down all of a sudden. Just two lapses in concentration and we were punished, but what a response, 24 points from us after that point. Toronto Becomes Second CRL Domestic Club". saintsrlfc.com. 3 September 2010 . Retrieved 6 October 2010. James Roby: 'Heartbreaking' end brings St Helens rugby league great's career to a close". sky sports. 7 October 2023. Jim Sullivan Timeline". rugbyrelics.com. 11 July 2009. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009 . Retrieved 11 July 2009.

WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE WEARING?

Between 1897 and 1901, St Helens were not successful, even generally considered a mid—table side. [10] [11] [12] 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. [13] In the 1901–02 season, however, they did finish third in the Lancashire league. [14] 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. [15] Promotion was gained at the first attempt, [16] only for another poor year to see them finish once again in a relegation position. [17] However the two Divisions became one League to save the club from a second relegation. [18] 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, [19] third to bottom in 1908, [20] and consistently mid—table between 1909 and 1913. [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]