There is a strong rivalry between St Helens and Wigan; the local derby between the two clubs has been traditionally regarded as the biggest in British rugby league, as well as one of the oldest in world rugby league. [216] Both being founder members of the Northern Rugby Football Union, the derby has been played since 1895, making it amongst the most historical derbys in both British and global rugby league. Remarkably, the first encounter between the fierce rivals ended in a 0–0 draw at Knowsley Road, [216] The games were traditionally played on Boxing Day, however were moved to Good Friday, during the busy Easter period in rugby league. More recently, the game was even played on Maundy Thursday in Super League. In all league encounters between the two since 1895, there have been 235 games, with Wigan having won nearly double the number of games that St Helens have. Saints winning 83, drawing 11 and losing 141. [217] All competitive games, i.e. cup and league games combined, show that in the 366 games played, St Helens have won 141, there have been 19 draws and Wigan have won 206. They too have contested no fewer than 6 Challenge Cup Finals, [71] [80] [126] [127] [153] [155] and have met in three Super League Grand Finals; St Helens winning 29–16 in 2000, [152] with Wigan initially gaining revenge in 2010, with a 22–10 win, [196] before Saints claimed the 2014 Super League Grand Final by a score of 14–6, taking a 2–1 lead in their Super League Grand Final head-to-heads. Wigan and St Helens have also met in 4 Premiership Finals, Wigan winning 3, St Helens once, [129] [130] [142] [143] 3 Lancashire County Cup Finals, St Helens winning two, Wigan one, [128] [218] [219] and one Floodlit Trophy Final in 1968, Wigan winning 7–4. [220] The two have traditionally met each other in the Magic Weekend too. The two teams have a pretty even record, winning two (at Millennium Stadium in 2007 and 2008) and losing two (at Murrayfield in 2009 and Etihad Stadium in 2012), with one draw (at Millennium Stadium in 2011) in five ties. [221] [222] [223] [224] St Helens greatest winning margin and the highest game score between the two in competitive football was a 75–0 win in a 2005 Challenge Cup round 6 game. [225] Wigan's biggest win was a 65–12 win in Super League II, 1997. [226] Super League record Wellens added: "I actually went out for dinner last Saturday with my wife and Robes and his wife. We had a conversation and at no point did I try and persuade him to do another year. Coslett went on to coach Wigan, Rochdale Hornets and St. Helens, and remains involved at St Helens more than 50-years after first signing.

It proved a bittersweet night for James Roby, who moved level with Kel Coslett as joint leading appearance-maker for the club, with 531 games, but was a beaten skipper. St Helens finished the 2021 Super League season in second place on the table. [204] They then went on to defeat Catalan Dragons 12–10 in a hotly-contested Grand Final, securing the club's first league and cup double since 2006 and an historic 'three-peat' - becoming only the second team in the summer era to win three consecutive championships. [205] He moved from Welsh rugby union, laid down his family roots in St Helens, and became a great player in one of our greatest ever sides. It has been well-documented that Kel went on to win virtually every honour at club level from 1962-63 until he left Saints at the end of the 1975-76 season and holds a number of seasonal and career records that will probably never be broken: See also: List of St Helens R.F.C. players Notable former players [ edit ] Francis Meli playing for Samoa whilst at St Helens

The St Helens club and, indeed, the rugby league world, have been saddened by the passing of John Mantle, at the age of 76, after a long illness.

Another Saints’ legend, Paul Wellens, paid his own tribute: “It goes without saying that Kel is a person who’s held in the highest regard by all at St Helens RFC. His achievements as a player for the club speak for themselves and you don’t do what he has in the game without being an exceptional character. He’s such a great person to be around and the rest of lads enjoy his company very much”. Northern Football Union League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 24 April 1921 . Retrieved 2 August 2010.

But there were good players about – whether they were old or not, they were capable of playing one good last game. Communication and experience were very important. Players talked to each other and helped each other a lot!” He was from that era of magnificent players who moulded St Helens into the world famous rugby league club that it is today. Northern Football Union League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 24 April 1911 . Retrieved 1 August 2010. It was a bizarre start to the match, we were in control and then 12-0 down all of a sudden. Just two lapses in concentration and we were punished, but what a response, 24 points from us after that point. St Helens vs. Huddersfield CC match report". saintsrlfc.com. 9 August 2009 . Retrieved 10 August 2009.Everyone at the St Helens club sends their condolences to John’s wife, Lorraine, son Kelvin, daughter Janine and grandchildren Ryan and Rhys at this sad time. Northern Football Union League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 24 April 1908 . Retrieved 1 August 2010.

Northern Football Union League Table". Saints Heritage Society. 24 April 1913 . Retrieved 1 August 2010.I can remember talking to one of the Directors at the time who wanted to know more about John Mantle and would he be good enough for St. Helens,” recalls Peter Harvey, who had himself recently signed from rugby union. “John and I had played in the Loughborough First XV, so I knew exactly what he was capable of. I told him that they would be signing one of the fastest forwards the club had ever seen!” Magic Weekend". superleague.co.uk. 12 February 2011. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012 . Retrieved 20 February 2011. Super League Play-offs Qualifying Final". Saints Heritage Society. 4 October 2008 . Retrieved 8 July 2008. The following year things had to be done and somebody had to do them. There were a few comings and goings and the theme became youngsters.