I HAD the misfortune to start supporting and attending Saints games the day AFTER they lost to Leeds at Wembley in 1978.

And it took eight years of high hopes being dashed before finally seeing Saints run out beneath the old Twin Towers in 1987.

It felt like an age, but no doubt there are teenagers out there who are finding the current wait just as hard and punishing.

After having three Challenge Cup wins in a row, at the back end of an absolute golden age for Saints, we have now endured a similar eight-season spell away from Wembley.

Of course, we have had good and bad nights at Old Trafford in between, but if you were brought up watching rugby league before the switch to summer and Super League Wembley will always hold the special place.

I was asked this week by a long-time rugby league fan whether the Challenge Cup was losing its sparkle.

Maybe our view of it is coloured by the fact that we have had to watch Warrington, Wigan, Leeds, Huddersfield, Castleford and Hull trot down to London for the annual showpiece in the capital, while we have stayed outside with our noses pressed to the glass.

But that aside, I reckon there are aspects of the 'losing its sparkle' argument I can agree with.

In its history the cup has been littered with landmark moments, drama and some iconic images.

The Large-Vollenhoven try, Don Fox’s miss at watersplash, Killeen’s kicks, Murphy’s wink in 1971,Noonan’s dropped pass, David Hobbs’ double in 83, Elia’s mishap, Offiah’s try and Bobbie’s bombs.

The cup has provided rugby league with key incidents to build into the game’s rich tapestry.

I don’t think it helps that a lot of the recent finals have been pretty ordinary, lacking key events.

Last year’s was a walkover, the previous season Cas froze and prior to that was the dullest final ever between Hull and Wigan.

Let’s hope this weekend’s between Warrington and Hull at least provides a spectacle.

But aside from that, there are issues with the cup that need looking at.

Let’s start with the rounds.

The stream-lined format is right now, and although it has not as good for the minnows, it actually works better.

But the crowds are poorer than they used to be, so why not let season tickets count at all matches.

Secondly is the timing. Some of the rounds are too spaced out. Let the cup build its own momentum rather than drifting.

And finally, my biggest bugbear, is the timing of the final.

Having the showpiece finale, plus the semis, in peak holiday season is ridiculous.

I seriously do think moving the Challenge Cup back into an earlier timeslot would benefit all round.

It would also take it away from the congested back end of the league campaign.

The Challenge Cup is still a wonderful competition, it just needs a little TLC.