SEAN Long’s return to the club where he won virtually every team and individual honour has been welcomed as a masterstroke by the fans who believe the mercurial former number seven can sprinkle some of his magic dust across the defending champions’ line-up.

The Man of Steel and three-time Lance Todd winner was always a popular character in his 13 seasons at Knowsley Road – and was involved in some of the club’s iconic moments of the summer era.

With his vital kicks – place and drop – winning Grand Finals in 1999 and 2002, Long was always the man for the big occasion.

It is no wonder then that he was listed in the club’s all time great 17 – nor was it any surprise that the club flailed around for a long while trying to fill the pretty big boots he left behind when he was allowed to depart for Hull FC at the end of 2009.

Long’s return to Saints – albeit a place with massively upgraded playing and training facilities – presents him with a glorious opportunity to show he can transfer his nous and know-how on to others.

He certainly has shown that not only can he read a game, but he can direct big personalities around him – traits that will become essential qualities in his new role.

In the Grand Slam success of 2006, for example, Saints had a plenty of big beasts in the ranks, but it was invariably Long’s voice that the players heard before heading down the tunnel.

In the book on that season As Good As It Gets, Long was singled out for intelligence and earmarked as a future coach by Daniel Anderson.

Anderson said: “He was at a time in his career when his absolute brilliant speed had diminished but that had been replaced a little bit and complemented by the top two inches. After that he became one of the most intelligent players in the game.”

When Long first joined Saints in June 1997 – a bargain £80,000 buy from neighbouring Widnes – it was his blinding pace and support play that made him a stand-out prospect.

The years rolled by and he had the lot, from a multitude of weird and wonderful haircuts from mohican to dreads to some entertaining homecoming celebrations.

From the depths of despair with the serious 2001-ending knee injury to the height of elation of running around with a St Bernard’s head on after playing his part in the Wide to West try, no player revelled in adversity and controversy as much as Long.

And that was shown with the quality of rugby he played in the aftermath of the 2004 betting scandal.

Long guided Saints to Cardiff and then produced an utterly masterful Lance Todd-winning display to help conquer Wigan in the final while the Sword of Damocles was dangling above his head.

Whether it was hand-wringing editorials, barracking from the opposition or forearms to the face Long simply let it ride over him.

Long always lapped up that extra responsibility and delivered as a player – and now he has the chance to do that as a coach.