18 November 2023 , 09:56
769
0
Paul Wellens can’t wait to savour St Helens’ 150th anniversary tonight with fellow past players who share a “special” connection.
The Saints head coach, who featured a massive 499 times for his beloved hometown club, will be among those present at a celebration dinner at Totally Wicked Stadium. There will be many iconic faces reuniting for the Merseyside outfit who started their big birthday year with an historic World Club Challenge triumph in Sydney. Wellens, 43, said: “It’s a huge milestone for us as a club and as a town.
“One hundred and 50 years is a long, long time and through that time there’s been so many great players who’ve represented the club. Hopefully we'll see plenty Saturday. What I can say is most years we have a past players dinner at St Helens and players turn up from different generations who played in different teams.
“And when you walk into the room you feel there is that connection there. Whether you’ve played together or not, you know that someone pulled on that same jersey. It might have been 40 or 50 years ago but there’s an understanding there about what it takes to play for the team and how special it is. I’m looking forward to Saturday being around a lot of players who felt those same feelings as myself.”
The ex-Man of Steel and Great Britain star added: “On that journey there’s been so many people who’ve stood on the terraces and supported the team as well. It means a lot to the people of the town and it’s shown year on year by how well we’re supported. We’re immensely proud of the club to celebrate this.”
Gay rugby league referee lifts lid on how coming out affected officiating career
Although he won’t be in attendance, Wellens points to current Australia boss Mal Meninga as the former Saint who first inspired him. The legendary blockbusting Kangaroos centre memorably starred in 1984-85 and Wellens recalled: “I was only about five years old. And he only played that one season, 31 games, scoring 28 tries.
Wellens is looking forward to an historic night (PA)“But Mal also played the same time my brother [Kevin] was there. My brother played 20 odd times for St Helens and was there the same year Mal was. That was probably my first rugby league influence: seeing Mal come over here to play for St Helens. But there’s obviously been so many great players.
"I’ve always been a great supporter of the team and still am. I want the team to be successful. Over the years, we’ve had our great moments, some not so great moments and all we can do year on year is try and give St Helens supporters what they deserve.”
Wellens returns to work next week ready to fire the dethroned four-peat Super League champs up again for 2024. He said: “We know there’s areas we need to improve in. But there’s a real motivation there and I’m excited by that challenge.”