A few good candidates already been mentioned.
And, impossible as it is to think of it fondly, the 2011 GF was probably exciting for the neutral.
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ST HELENS - SUPER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS... AND STILL THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CLUB OF THE SL ERA!
19 : 18 at Wembley v Halifax
Went there as red hot favourites and blew it
Mark Elia had the ball knocked out of his hands when over the line
One of the last standing Wembley games if I remember right
Haha, his first game but not appearance. No one could see him
What about the Saints 2nd or 3rd team that nearly beat Catalans away in 2006 just before Wembley.
The average age was about 20.
Stacey jones won it on the death for the Dragons.
Everyone was chuffed except a very young Jammer.
screaming in the family corner, scaring the kiddies
Spot on. Those two away games you mentioned plus one away at Bradford when we hammered them really stand out to me when I think of Lyon.
I remember the Salford game really clearly. We were awful that day and it was as though Lyon thought to himself he better go and win it for us. He scored one down the touchline with unbelievable skill at the far end from the away fans. He dragged us out of the sh!te at Leigh too.
NEVER WRITE OFF THE SAINTS
I also remember vividly a game against Salford in 1975, Lancashire Cup semi final at Knowsley Road. Salford were riding high in the league and they came to Saints (who were reigning champions) full of confidence. We thought it was hilarious when Saints scored first through Frank Wilson and how we were going to turn the tables only for Salford to immediately hit back again and again and again. 5 -15 at half time and final score 8 -21. Salford and in particular Mike Coulman, took us apart that night
Saints 10 - 11 Fev challenge cup 1983. We only had to turn up because the game was already won. But little fev shocked us in a thriller of a game. I was in total shock for years to come because we had lost. We had been talking about how we'd get to wembley little did we know that we'd actually lose. I'd love to see the game again as I never watched it on video I was just too upset. Looked a good crowd on that day as well and it was on tv.
I was told many years ago by a relative of recently deceased Joe Seddon. It has been mentioned to me by numerous others including Graham Liptrot and an ex-player I worked with who shall remain anonymous. In 1980 - 1981 I was at Leicester Polytechnic and a mate of mine was a Leeds supporter.He gloated on the fact that Leeds won despite being vastly outnumbered by Saints supporters who were in all sections of the ground that day. I can only conclude that Saints supporters were turning up in those kind of numbers hoping to see a repeat of 1976 and of course Leeds were the holders having beat Widnes the previous year.
I know how you felt. Having won at both my previous Wembley appearances in '72 and '76, and being winners in '56, '61 and '66 losing wasn't even a consideration so it was very deflating at the time. I still believe John Atkinson scored from a forward pass and right at the end I can still see these 3 Leeds supporters in front of us, who were nice chaps with whom we had built up a rapport, turning away with their heads in their hands as the ball went along the line only for you know what to happen. Like the rest of us they couldn't believe Saints hadn't scored and nicked it right at the end!
You're right also, the aforementioned Lippy scored very early on, suggesting it would be a walk in the park. Bill Francis played a blinder whilst George Nicholls got the Lance Todd and a loser's medal. A great game for the neutrals though.
Derek Noonan RIP. He was a very good player who will sadly be remembered for that fateful day. I don't think the ball ever went into his hands having watched the replay countless times.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmmZ5T_2c9c
Check this out at 2.45. Forward or what?
And this at 1.20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmmZ5T_2c9c
Bill Francis, great player.
Bill Francis, what a player to divide opinions. I did not doubt his talent but I never thought his heart was really in it.
Nice to see scrums like scrums and the ball came out quickly, the scrum half looks like a scrum half.