This is not a Saints dream team - after all too many of our readers have memories of the greats of the 50s and 60s and can pick a side containing the likes of Vollenhoven, Murphy, Greenall, Prescott, Watson, Huddart and Karalius.

Those names are very much part of St Helens' folklore and the players' exploits have been recalled, related, passed on through subsequent generations of fans.

There is a talking point there - was the 1966 side better than that of 1976? And how would the double winning side of 1996 compare?

The truth is you probably can't - the games have been transformed over the last 35 years as have players' ability to devote themselves fully to rugby.

I had the misfortune to only start following the Saints properly in 1978, the year that started their spell in the doldrums.

As a result I just missed out on seeing those great players from the 60s and 70s. Bill Benyon, John Mantle and Kel Coslett would probably have made it into this side.

This is my favourite XIII from the last decade - not necessarily the best XIII.

Paul Wellens

1. Paul Wellens
Tough tackling Paul has been as solid as a rock at full back during the past five seasons. Nothing epitomises Wello's spirit and pride in the red vee than that famous win over Brisbane Broncos when he played with a smashed eye-socket. He may not have the pace of predecessors Phil Veivers and Steve Prescott, but just look how much hammer he takes and how much pressure he takes off his forwards with those driving runs early in the set. More than that he has showed great character in coming back from a poor start to last season - a start which was brought on by injury and rushing back too soon from it.

2. Barry Ledger
Although he was not the biggest of wingers he had pace and knew how to back himself and take a full back on and beat him. He was quick and good enough on his feet to throw covering defenders off balance. Scored some belting long range tries for the Saints - one 80 metre diagonal dazzler at Wakefield in 1983 brightened up an otherwise gloomy day for the two coach loads of travelling fans.

3. Paul Newlove
When David Howes delivered Newlove to Knowsley Road from the back of a Securicor van, he said it was a calling card signing to show Saints meant business. And so it proved - the trophies just rolled in since then. Saints' first Super League crown was won on the strength of Newlove's tries - 38 in the 1996 season. He developed a deadly rapport with Chris Joynt and Tommy Martyn down the left hand side. His strong fend, and good feet made him one of the dealiest strike players in the business. He could score them as well as set them up.

4. Mal Meninga
Saints were the sleeping giant of the game and hadn't won a trophy for seven years before Big Mal's arrival. He was only here for one season - 1984-85 - but what an impact he made! The first highlight was seeing him destroy Wigan in the Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park in front of a fervent 26,000 plus crowd. The other highlight was the two tries he scored in his final game- the Premiership Final win over champions Hull KR at Elland Road.