TOMMY Martyn is arguably one of the most naturally gifted half backs never to have been picked for Great Britain or England.

Although reconstructions of both knees may have taken a yard of pace off him, Martyn more than made up for it with the ‘top two inches’. He had the vision and the tools to execute the plays whether it was with a long pass, inside ball or a raking grubber measured with slide-rule precision.

And as an added string to his bow, there was no defensive weakness in this half back who adopted an unorthodox Cumberland throw which often bewildered the unsuspecting ball carrier.

Tommy God, as he was known on the terraces, came from a strong rugby league family in Leigh.

His dad Tommy Snr and uncle Mick both played for Great Britain, but the closest Martyn Jnr came to international football was a call up to Ireland.

Martyn joined Saints from Oldham in 1993 and three years later he was just about coming into his prime in the side that ended 20 years of hurt by beating Bradford Bulls at Wembley.

In 1997 Martyn collected the Lance Todd trophy for his outstanding display in helping Saints to back-to-back final wins over the Bulls.

A tally of two tries, an assist with a switch pass for Chris Joynt and the provider with the raking kick for Anthony Sullivan’s touchdown ensured he topped the poll for the prestigious award.

Martyn collected a Grand Final winner’s ring after Ellery Hanley’s underdogs saw off Bradford 8-6 at Old Trafford in 1999.

But by the start of the following year all was not right, with Saints bringing in new signing Darrell Trindall from South Sydney – replacing Tommy Martyn.

It would prove to be a short-lived link up with Trindall and then Hanley departing, Ian Millward coming in as coach and restoring Martyn to his rightful stand off berth. He went on to have an inspired season, scoring 22 tries including a hat-trick against Wigan, and being awarded the Super League Players’ Player of the Year award.

Another Grand Final win – this one against Wigan – was followed by a World Club Challenge win over Brisbane Broncos in February 2001.

And two months later the team had three major trophies in the old Knowsley Road trophy cabinet with the Challenge Cup added after Saints had ground out a dour 13-6 win at a rain-lashed Twickenham, Martyn pitching in with a try and drop goal.

After playing a key part in Saints’ table topping 2002 campaign, with the highlight being his blind pass to send Peter Shiels in for a try against Wigan, injury robbed him of another Grand Final appearance.

And although he returned the following year, a series of injuries brought Martyn’s Saints career to an end before 2003 was out and he joined his hometown club Leigh.

But what a fantastic 10 year playing record he can look back on at Saints.