Year On Year Information

1873

Founded 19 November 1873 St Helens are one of the oldest members of the Rugby Football League. Founded as St Helens Football Club on 19 November 1873 at the Fleece Hotel by William Douglas Herman.

1874

First Match The Saints played their first ever match on 31 January 1874 against Liverpool Royal Infirmary

1890

Knowsley Road: The club moved from the City Ground in 1890 where they had shared with St Helens Recs when neither were members of the Northern Rugby Football Union, to Knowley Road.

1895

Aug St. Helens, along with 20 other clubs, resign from the Rugby Union at a meeting held at the George Hotel in Huddersfield.

1895

Sep Saints defeat Rochdale Hornets 8-3 at Knowsley Road in their inaugural Northern Union fixture.

1897

Apr Batley defeat Saints 10-3 in the inaugural Challenge Cup final played at Headingley.

1906

 The number of players on each side reduced from 15 to 13 and Line Outs abolished.

1906

Jan Frank Lee and Tommy Barton appear for England in the 3 all draw with the Other Nationalities at Wigan, and thus become the club's first Internationals.

1908

 In December, scum half Arthur Kelly becomes Saints' first colonial import.

1909

Apr Warrington inflict upon St. Helens their record defeat 78-6.

1909

Feb Saints defeat the first Australian Tourists 9 nil.

1912

 Billy Briers announces his retirement. The last playing member who had defeated Rochdale Hornets in the first Northern Union match, Billy had scored 114 tries for the club in 512 appearances.

1913

 St. Helens Recs join the Lancashire Combination.

1915

May Huddersfield defeat Saints by a record 37 points to 3 in the Challenge Cup final played at Watersheadings, Oldham.

1917

 Due to a shortage of players, 12 aside rugby is introduced.

1918

Dec Saints re open and are beaten 20 points to nil by St. Helens Recs at City Road, in a friendly fixture.

1918

Jan Saints are defeated 22 nil by Widnes. They then 'close down' due to a lack of finances.

1919

Jan Competitive rugby restarts and Saints are defeated by St. Helens Recs 24-3 at Knowsley Road. This is the first 'official' fixture between the teams.

1920

Dec 24,000 fans pack Knowsley Road for the 'derby' encounter against Wigan and see Lord Derby open the new Pavilion.

1922

 Stan and George Lewis sign from Pontypool RUFC, making their debuts in the 24- 13 home victory over Featherstone Rovers.

1923

 Jessie Skepper helped form Saints' Supporters' Club.

1926

Mar Alf Ellaby scores two tries on his debut against Keighley at Knowsley Road.

1926

Nov Saints defeat arch rivals St. Helens Recs by 10 points to 2 at Wilderspool, Warrington to win the Lancashire Cup for the first time. It was Saints' first major trophy triumph.

1927

 Alf Ellaby finishes the season with 50 tries for Saints. A record!

1928

 Seven players from St. Helens are selected to tour 'Down Under' for the 1928 Tour. These are thus the first Saints' or Recs' players to earn such a honour. Alf Ellaby, Les Fairclough, Alf Frodsham and Ben Halfpenny were selected from Saints, whilst the Recs provided Frank Bowen, Oliver Dolan and Albert Fildes.

1929

Oct Arthur Atkinson of Castleford, converts a penalty kick from 75 yards, at Knowsley Road. He was kicking towards the Dunriding Lane end of the ground and was assisted by the wind! Castleford won 20-10.

1930

May Widnes surprisingly defeat Saints 10-3 in the Challenge Cup final. It was only the second final to be played at Wembley.

1932

 Alf Ellaby and Albert Fildes (now a Saint) are selected for the 1932 Tour.

1932

Mar Alf Ellaby scores 6 tries against Barrow. The first Saint to achieve such a feat.

1932

May St. Helens defeat Huddersfield 9-5 at Bell Vue, Wakefield to win the League Championship for the first time.

1937

 Saints become a Limited Liability Company.

1939

Jan Saints defeat St. Helens Recs 5-3 at City Road, in their last ever meeting.

1945

Aug Widnes beat Saints 20-8 at Naughton Park, in their first post 2nd World War match.

1949

Dec a ground record 35,695 fans turn up to watch Saints play Wigan.

1949

Jan Stan McCormick signs for Saints from Bell Vue Rangers for a then record £4000.

1950

In the Training pitch was laid down.

1951

In the newly-completed Eccleston Kop covered enclosure was opened and was named after Supporters Club Secretary George Eddington.

1951

Nov Gt. Britain v New Zealand 1st Test at Swinton was the first televised Test Match

1952

 Wigan and Gt. Britain legend become St. Helens' first full time manager/ coach.

1952

Apr first televised Wembley final took place between Workington Town and Featherstone Rovers.

1952

Jan Wigan v Wakefield Trinity encounter becomes fist televised League match.

1953

 Saints finish the 1952/3 season top of the League, go all season undefeated 'away' from home, win the Lancashire League and League Championship and are defeated 15-10 by Huddersfield in the Challenge Cup final.

1954

In the new scoreboard is used for the first time.

1955

Apr Alex Murphy signs for Saints on his 16th Birthday.

1956

Apr Alex Murphy makes his Saints debut in the 21-7 home victory over Whitehaven.

1956

Apr tries by Frank Carlton, Steve Llewellyn and skipper, Alan Prescot, together with two Austin Rhodes conversions enable Saints to defeat Halifax by 13 points to 2 to secure the club's first Challenge Cup final success.

1956

Nov St. Helens defeat Australia by a record 44 points to 2.

1957

Oct Tom Van Vollenhoven scores a try on his debut as Saints defeat Leeds 36- 7 at Knowsley Road, in front of 23,000 spectators.

1958

 Six Saints players are selected to tour. Alan Prescott was named as Gt. Britain's captain and Frank Carlton, Vince Karalius, Glynn Moses, Alex Murphy and Ab Terry were chosen alongside him.

1958

In the club's new grandstand is opened by Sir Harry Pilkington. The structure cost £32,000 and can seat 2,400.

1959

 Saints top a thousand points in a league season for the first time. Their 1005 points came from 31 wins and a draw in their 38 matches. The finished in first position.

1959

 Tom Van Vollenhoven finishes the season with a phenomenal 62 tries for the club. This smashed Alf Ellaby's 32 year old record and no one has bettered this total since.

1959

May St. Helens defeat Hunslet by 44 points to 22 at Odsal Stadium to win one of the greatest ever League Championship finals.

1961

 The new popular side enclosure is erected. The old wooden structure that it replace was given to Liverpool City for their ground at Knotty Ash.

1961

In new metal goal posts replaced the wooden originals after storm damage.

1961

May Tom Van Vollenhoven scores one of the best tries ever seen in a Challenge Cup final as Saints defeat Wigan 12-6.

1964

Oct Saints defeat Swinton 12-4 at Wigan to win their 5th consecutive Lancashire Cup, in their 7th successive final.

1965

 Saints win four trophies in one of their most successful seasons. The League Leaders Trophy, Lancashire League, Challenge Cup and League Championship all end up in the trophy cabinet.

1965

Jan Saints' new floodlighting system opened by Sir Harry Pilkington.

1971

May Saints beat Wigan 16-12 at Station Road, Swinton to claim back to back League Championship Trophies for the first time.

1972

 Six tackle rule introduced.

1972

 Timekeeper's hooter introduced.

1972

May Graham Rees's first minute try helps Saints defeat Leeds 16-13 in the Challenge Cup final.

1973

 Bar and restaurant complex opened at Dunriding Lane end of the Knowsley Road Stadium.

1974

 Drop goal devalued to one point.

1975

 Saints win Division One Championship for the only time.

1976

 St. Helens complete a Challenge Cup and Premiership Trophy 'double' and undertake a pioneering club tour to Australia and New Zealand.

1983

 Sin bin introduced.

1983

 Try value increased to four points.

1983

 Hand over after 6 tackles introduced.

1983

 Players dug outs move from Main stand to popular side.

1984

Oct Mal Meninga and Phil Veivers make their Saints debuts in the 30 points to 16 victory over Castleford at Knowsley Road.

1984

Oct two tries by Mal Meninga inspire Saints, who beat Wigan 26-18, to win the Lancashire Cup for the first time in 16 years.

1985

 Saints defeat hot favourites Hull KR 36-16 at Elland Road, to win the Premiership Trophy.

1986

Sep St. Helens defeat Carlisle 112 nil, at Knowsley Road, in a 1st Round Lancashire Cup tie. A club record. Centre Paul Loughlin kicks 16 goals and finishes the match with 40 points—both also club records!

1987

May centre, Mark Elia has the ball sensationally knocked from his grasp as he was diving to score a vital late try as Halifax defeat Saints 19-18 in the Challenge Cup final.

1988

 St. Helens defeat Leeds 15-14, at Central Park, to win the John Player Trophy for the only time.

1989

Apr Wigan defeat Saints 27 nil in the Challenge Cup final.

1989

In work starts on 9 Executive Boxes and an electronic scoreboard at the Dunriding Lane end of the Knowsley Road Stadium

1991

 Blood bin introduced.

1991

Sep Saints defeat Trafford Borough 104-12, at Knowsley Road in a 1st Round Lancashire Cup tie. Only the 2nd time in the club's history that over 100 points has been scored in one match.

1992

 St. Helens defeat Wigan 17 nil, at Gateshead, to win the Charity Shield for the only time.

1993

 Saints lose out to Wigan, the Division One Championship, on points difference. They gain ample revenge by defeating their fierce rivals 10-4, at Old Trafford, in the Premiership Trophy final, thus denying Wigan the 'Grand Slam'.

1995

 In goal judges introduced.

1995

 Summer Super League concept agreed to commence in 1996.

1995

In St. Bernard becomes Saints' mascot.

1995

In Paul Newlove signs for Saints, from Bradford Northern in a deal said to be worth £500.000. A record!

1996

 Sky TV's Big Screen Video Referee introduced.

1996

 A record eight St. Helens players are chosen to tour with Gt. Britain. They are Keiron Cunningham, Bobbie Goulding, Karle Hammond, Joey Hayes, Alan Hunte, Chris Joynt, Steve Prescott and Anthony Sullivan.

1996

Apr Saints defeat Bradford Bulls 40-32, in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley. It is Saints' first Challenge Cup success for 20 years and is regarded by many as being the best ever final!

1996

Aug St. Helens defeat Warrington 66-14, in front of 18,098 fans, at Knowsley Road, to claim the inaugural Super League Championship. It's their first such triumph for 21 years.

1996

In Shaun McRae is appointed St. Helens Coach.

1996

Mar St. Helens defeat Workington Town 62 nil, at Derwent Park, in their first Super League match.

1997

May Saints retain the Challenge Cup for the first time by defeating Bradford Bulls 32-22, at Wembley.

1998

 Ellery Hanley named as Sean McRae's successor as Saints' Head Coach.

1999

Oct St. Helens win their first Super League Grand Final, by defeating Bradford Bulls by 8 points to 6 at Old Trafford.

2000

Jan Saints defeated by Melbourne Storm 44-6 in the World Club Challenge played at the JJB Stadium, Wigan.

2000

Mar Ian Millward becomes Saints' Head Coach following Ellery Hanley's dismissal

2000

Oct Saints retain their Super League crown by defeating Wigan Warriors 29- 16, in the Grand Final, at Old Trafford.

2001

Apr Saints defeat Bradford Bulls 13-6, at Twickenham, to win the Challenge Cup for the 8th time, thus claiming to hold all 3 available trophies. Scrum Half, Sean Long wins the Lance Todd Trophy

2001

Jan St. Helens are crowned as 'Champions of the World' for the very first time following their magnificent 20 points to 18 victory over highly fancied Brisbane Broncos, at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.

2001

Jun Chris Joynt makes his 87th successive appearance for the club, at Hull FC, thus breaking Harold Smith's 72 year old club record.

2001

May At the official 'Civic Reception' at the Town Hall, following an Open Topped Bus tour of the town, St. Helens Council bestow upon the club the honour of 'Freedom of the Borough of St. Helens'

2002

Apr Wigan Warriors defeat Saints 21-12 in the Challenge Cup Final at Murrayfield in Edinburgh.

2002

Aug Chris Joynt scores his 116th try for the club v Halifax Blue Sox, thus overtaking Billy Briers' 90 year old club record for tries scored by a 'forward'.

2002

Oct Sean Long's last minute drop goal wins the Super League Grand Final for St. Helens. Their 19-18 victory over Bradford Bulls was attained in one of the closest, most exciting RL finals.

2003

Apr Saints lose to Leeds Rhinos 26-33 in an epic Challenge Cup Semi Final that was only decided after 20 minutes 'Extra Time' played at the McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield. The scores were level at 26 all at Full Time following a last minute converted Leeds try.

2003

Feb Saints defeated by Sydney City Roosters 38-0 in the World Club Challenge played at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.

2004

Mar Keiron Cunningham scores his 120th try for the club to become highest try scoring 'forward'.

2004

May Saints defeat Wigan Warriors 32-16 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff to win the Challenge Cup. Sean Long wins his 2nd Lance Todd Trophy.

2005

Feb Jamie Lyon makes his Saints' debut in a, 40 points to 18, defeat of Widnes Vikings at Knowsley Road.

2005

Jun St. Helens comprehensively beat Wigan Warriors at Knowsley Road 75-0 in a 6th Round Challenge Cup tie thus inflicting upon Wigan, their record ever loss.

2005

May Daniel Anderson succeeds Ian Millward as Saints' Head Coach

2005

Sep Saints win 78-4 at Leigh Centurions to register their highest ever score and their widest margin of victory in an 'away' match.

2005

Sep St. Helens win the Super League X Minor Premiership for finishing top of the League at the end of the regular season.

2006

Aug Saints defeat Huddersfield Giants 42-12 in the Challenge Cup Final played at Twickenham. Sean Long wins a record third Lance Todd Trophy.

2006

Oct Hull FC are defeated 26-4 in the Super League IX Grand Final at Old Trafford. Saints thus won all three domestic Trophies to claim a genuine 'treble'.

2006

Sep Saints claim the Super League XI Minor Premiership, losing only 4 matches throughout the campaign.

2006

Sep Saints claim the Super League XI Minor Premiership, losing only 4 matches throughout the campaign.

2007

Aug Saints retain the Challenge Cup in the first final played at the new Wembley Stadium. Catalans Dragons are defeated by 30 points to 8 and James Roby scores the first try at the new Stadium. Leon Pryce and Paul Wellens share the Lance Todd Trophy.

2007

Feb St. Helens win the World Club Challenge for the 2nd time, following their 18-14 defeat of Brisbane Broncos at the Reebok Stadium in Bolton. The now hold all four club trophies.

2007

Jun The club announces ambitious plans to build a new Stadium on the old U.G.B. Factory site, adjacent to the new Linkway. This involves leaving Knowsley Road, their home of 117 years. A public consultation takes place and in excess of 10,000 people sign in support of the proposed scheme.

2007

Sep St. Helens claim their third consecutive Minor Premiership as the Super League XII Shield is won. Saints have now won the last six Trophies. Sadly a month later Leeds Rhinos ended Saints' run by defeating them 33-6 in the Super League XII Grand Final.

2008

2009

 Mick Potter announced as coach

2010

2011

 Royce Simmons announced as Coach

2012

 Mike Rush announced as Coach

2013

 Nathan Brown Announced as Coach

2014

Super League Champions Super League Champions & League Leaders.

2015

 Keiron Cunningham announced as Coach

2016

2017

 Justin Holbrook announced as coach

2018

 St. Helens won the League Leaders Shield

2019

 St. Helens lost the Challenge Cup Final to Warrington but won the League Leaders Shield & crowned Super League Grand final winners against Salford.

2020

 Kristian Woolf announced as Head Coach
Grand Final Winners with a dramatic last minute TRY.
GENERAL HONOURS
SUPER LEAGUE HONOURS:
SUPER LEAGUE WINNERS1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2014, 2019, 2020
WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE HONOURS2001, 2007
CHALLENGE CUP HONOURS 1996, 1997, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008
BBC SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR2006
LEAGUE LEADERS' SHIELD2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014, 2018
PRE-SUPER LEAGUE HONOURS:
Championship1931-32, 1952-53, 1958-59, 1965-66, 1969-70, 1970-71, 1974-75
Challenge Cup1955-56, 1960-61, 1965-66, 1971-72, 1975-76
Leader's Shield1964-65, 1965-66
Regal Trophy1987-88
Premiership1975-76, 1976-77, 1984-85, 1992-93
Lancashire Cup1926-27, 1953-54, 1960-61, 1961-62, 1962-63, 1963-64, 1964-65, 1967-68, 1968-69, 1984-85, 1991-92
Lancashire League 1929-30, 1931-32, 1952-53, 1956-57, 1958-59, 1959-60, 1963-64, 1964-65, 1965-66, 1966-67, 1968-69
Charity Shield 1992-93
BBC2 Floodlit Trophy 1971-72, 1975-76


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