ON Friday night Saints will take part in the Grand Final, playing for the title against our arch rivals in a match which despite the unusual circumstances means every bit as much to all of us who love the club and the game.

Like thousands of other fans I would normally be at the Grand Final with my family, but sadly this year it can’t happen. 

I’ll be watching at home and cheering the team on, hoping they can bring our trophy home.

It’s been a unique season and one we’ll all remember for lots of reasons. 

Throughout it all, week after week, the players and coaching staff at Saints have shown huge commitment and determination to complete the season and put on a spectacle. 

In addition to the usual challenges on the pitch, Saints and the entire game have faced huge difficulties and uncertainty off it.

Despite government loans for the sport as a whole, clubs like Saints who are successful in generating income through hospitality have suffered most as a result of lockdown rules.

Saints CEO Mike Rush wrote an open letter recently making this point, and calling for more government help. 

We did what we could locally to support them, giving the club more than £50k from the Liverpool City Region discretionary business fund our council helped to set up at the start of the first tier 3 restrictions. 

Sport in general has suffered this year due to restrictions, from children’s clubs and amateur competitions right up to elite professional sports.

It means a lot to so many, whether participants or spectators. 

Sadly the news this week that some supporters will be allowed back into stadiums has come too late for this year’s rugby league season but it gives us hope that we can be back together under the lights at Saints at the start of the 2021 campaign.

As always, best wishes to all Star readers – and come on you Saints!