KEIRON Cunningham described being given the job coaching the side he watched from the terraces as a seven-year-old as “the pinnacle”.

The 37-year-old, who yesterday was named as Nathan Brown’s successor, says although he is not yet the finished article he believes understands the heartbeat of his hometown team and knows what it takes to be successful.

He becomes Saints’ first hometown coach since Alex Murphy left Knowsley Road in 1990, and ends a run of five Australian appointments in the top job.

Speaking of the pathway he has taken to his new post the former hooker of 17 years standing said: “I am having a very good month. This is just the pinnacle of a fantastic year for me.

“I have been a kid stood on the terraces and watched this great team and was fortunate enough to be good enough to play for the team.

“Once my playing career was over I was pretty much undecided what I wanted to do and which path I wanted to go down.

“Fortunately Eamonn and the board let me find that out for myself. One thing I was always aware of as a good player is that some good players that go into coaching fall on their knees a little bit quite quickly.

“I am a quite humble person and was always willing to learn and did not think I knew everything.

“I have been under some great coaches – Nathan Brown is a fantastic guy and I have learnt a lot from him.

“I am not saying I am the finished the product but all I know about is rugby league and that is all I have known since I was seven years old so I am pretty happy to get a shot.”

Cunningham was speaking in the Saints boardroom, immediately in front of the trophy cabinet gleaming with silverware after a stunning season which saw the club take out the League Leaders’ Shield and the Super League title despite a shocking injury crisis.

As a winner of five Super League titles and seven Challenge Cups, Cunningham knows all about success – and the high benchmark that has been set.

“I know what this club is about – I know the heartbeat of the club and what it means to be a local boy and play and win trophies.

“We have got a lot of them in our team who really care about this town and this team,” Cunningham said.

The appointment, which sees the third consecutive number nine take the helm, provides a degree of continuity with Cunningham having worked so closely with Brown in re-shaping the squad.

“I’d like to think I have contributed to where we are as a team. Nathan came in and took advice from myself and his other assistant Jamahl Lolesi and we moved the team forward.

“We went through a lot of pain last year to get to where we are now and to do what this team has done is fantastic.”

Although the players are currently on a break, Cunningham can’t wait to get started in his new role – and he knows only too well that he is in a coveted position.

“There are probably a thousand people out there who would want to take the reins of this club, even if we hadn’t of won anything or had all these great players.

“The heritage alone means you want the challenge of coaching this team.

"I am in a privileged position but I have contributed to helping these kids come through and the future of the club is very bright and so I would be a fool to sit back and let someone else come in and try and change it,” he said.

As for changes in style, Cunningham will be his own man and expect a tweak, but there are some aspects that won’t alter too greatly.

Jamahl Lolesi will remain as an assistant, but Cunningham admitted that there are further posts to be filled in due course.

“I have been in charge of Saints' attack for the last two years and the way we attack won’t change greatly.

“I am a big believer in playing your kids if they are good enough no matter what age they are.

“There was no prouder man that me when we played Leeds at home this year and 13 of the 17 was home grown talent,” he said.