FORMER Saints stand off Tommy Frodsham is arranging a re-union of ex-Rivington Road pupils who were at the school in the early 70s - and there's a few he is still to track down.

In particular he and former teacher Roy McMahon are keen on getting back together the all-conquering rugby league team which featured a couple of Saints players of the future.

The group of ex-pupils will meet up at the Bird I'th Hand on Prescot Road on Friday, 5 January.

Tommy said: “Our team included ex-Saints lads, myself Neil Holding, Mike Bowes and Gary Bottell.

“Added to this, is our year had John Mantle as our teacher and coach.

“We only lost three games in our five years and the year above were successful as well.”

They have tracked down most of that team, but are still chasing up some others and a couple of staff members.

“There have been a couple of people that we have not traced and particularly we would like to contact Steve Webster and our last sports teacher Steve Tickle - who played professional at Barrow.

“It would also be nice to get ex-rugby union ref Fred Howard - our cricket coach - over too. Not a bad roll call, is it?”

Roy, who now lives in Oswestry on the Welsh border, said the invitation was pretty open for people who went to school in the early 70s, but was particularly keen to see two groups again.

He said: “We would like to get the members of those years’ under 12s and 13s rugby teams, who in March 1973 won their respective cup competitions, to the function.

“I have been tracing members of the Under 13s of that year, a team of which, I was master-in-charge.

“The under 12’s were under Saints international forward John Mantle.

“As well as Tommy there were a couple of other future Saints in that team – Gary Bottell and Neil Holding.

“I am told that about nine of my squad played for Saints at youth level. No wonder they were a damn good side!

“The other group that I am, particularly keen to see again is the group that I took camping and canoeing to the Lake District in July 1973.”

Roy identified the boys in the photo as back row, L-R: Mike Cooper, Alan Mason, Barry Weldon, Paul Cairnes, Sean Halley, Dave Challenor, Steve Donohue. Middle L-R: Gary Slater, Dave Smith, Neil Holding, Steve O’Brien (Capt), Mike Howard, Gary Bottell, Chris Jones.

Front, L-R: Martin Devine, Ian Cunningham.

Roy added: “Steve Donohue, Neil Holding and Martin Devine were Under 12s that I drafted in for the final to strengthen the squad.

“They played two finals in two days and won them both!

“I have managed to contact most of these players and it would be unbelievable if we could bring together these wonderful groups of people.”

For more details contact Roy McMahon by e-mail: roy@roymack.co.uk or phone: 01691-831880.