St.Helens R.F.C. acknowledged our third World Club Title last Saturday night (1st April) at The Totally Wicked Stadium with our special Celebration Dinner, joined by over 200 guests in attendance.
The prestigious event welcomed supporters of the Saints to join our special guests from the Red V’s 2001, 2007, and 2023 World Club Challenge victorious sides!
Paul Wellens has proudly been involved in all three, as a player in 2001 and 2007 before guiding the Club to the seismic result back in February over Penrith Panthers in Australia as our Head Coach. Club captain James Roby joined fellow current First Team players Lewis Dodd and Konrad Hurrell on the night.
Together Wellens and Roby received a heroes’ welcome as they brought in the World Club Challenge trophy to kick off proceedings, hosted by the Saints’ fantastic Matchday Corporate Host – Pete Emmett.
Fellow World Club Challenge winning Saints who were in shared their stories included; from our 2001 side; Paul Newlove and Chris Joynt, and from the 2007 team Lee Gilmour, Mike Bennett, Jon Wilkin, and Ade Gardner, as well as Paul Sculthorpe MBE and Sean Long who both won the World Club Challenge twice in 2001 and 2007.
Club legend Eric Chisnall, who played in the very first World Club Challenge back in 1976 was also in attendance.
Chairman Eammon McManus took to the stage to discuss the outstanding achievements of becoming the best rugby league team in the world on three occasions, paying his thanks to all the players and staff throughout our Club’s 150-year history.
It truly was another fantastic night to remember at The Totally Wicked Stadium.