AN ARTWORK commemorating 120 years of rugby league was unveiled at the location of Saints' former Knowsley Road ground.

The stone pillar featuring rugby league imagery and the town's motto 'Ex Terra Lucem' and a blue plaque is located on the Cunningham Grange estate in Eccleston.

Saints chairman Eamonn McManus, mayor of St Helens Cllr Steve Glover and RFL chief executive Nigel Wood were among those at the official unveiling.

It was the final plaque to be unveiled after a series were revealed across the rugby league heartland during the autumn as part of the game's anniversary celebrations

On August 29 1895 at an historic meeting at the George Hotel in Huddersfield, 22 clubs broke away from the RFU to form the Northern Union, which became Rugby League.

At the ceremony, Eamonn McManus said: "One of the many privileges I have as chairman of St Helens is to be involved with its history and tradition and the end product of any club is no more than a reflection of that.

"One-hundred-and-twenty years ago we had men of vision, courage and conviction that were able to take an existing sport and make it into what they wanted it to be, a game which to me is everything about the people of the north of England, its strong determination, will to succeed and good people."

He added: "For us to be part of that for 120 years and hopefully to be just as importantly an integral part of its future as well is just a magnificent thing.

"It really is a magnificent plaque, the people involved with its production are to be congratulated. I hope that people are able to appreciate it in the times to come. It's yet another memento for St Helens, our town, our club and our sport. It's the latest symbol of our club and our history."