Thirty years of Saints news with the St Helens Star
1980s

1980-81
Under new coach Kel Coslett Saints were still struggling to come to terms with the way the side of the 70s had been allowed to age without adequate replacements being brought in.

The team was a combination of very young inexperienced players and those who had seen better days. But every now and then the side would turn in a vintage display, especially veterans George Nicholls and Eric Chisnall sparked.

The side made it through to the Challenge Cup semi final, where after a tense first half the powerful Hull KR side made their class tell with a 22-5. Saints staved off relegation fears with a good end of season rally which lifted them into eighth spot.

They beat champions Bradford in the opening round of the Premiership at Odsal before losing to Hull in the semi final.

Saints badly needed new players - particularly props and this was having an adverse effect on the side with a string of bad results after the New Year. Saints had broken their transfer record by splashing out £37,500 on young Keighley pack man Gary Moorby, but more were needed.

To make matters worse Saints suffered a home first round Challenge Cup knock out against a rejuvenated Wigan. Club skipper Eric Chisnall left for Leigh and went on to pick up a championship winner's medal later that year.

But despite creating a bagful of chances in the first half of the final at Central Park, Saints were undone by a tough tackling and more streetwise Warrington side. Saints lost 16-0 and had Graham Liptrot sent off.

Saints John Player campaign ended on the same ground a month later with Murphy's Wigan triumphing 9-5. Entering the new year Saint spirits were high, especially as some of the big names had been knocked out of the Challenge Cup early.

Saints had pulled off a cracking second round win at Leeds and were paired with Featherstone. Victory was expected but the rough, no frills Rovers outfit had other ideas as saints fell to a late John Gilbert try. Rovers' name must have been on the cup as they went on to beat Bradford in the semis and Hull in the final.