LEON Pryce was the latest Saints’ player to receive his Heritage Number Certificate and was quick to celebrate on social media with this excellent images.
“It means a lot to me,” says the fans’ favourite who joined the Saints from Bradford Bulls for the start of the 2006 Super League campaign essentially to fill the stand-off role, which he did with great panache. His partnership with Sean Long blossomed and success almost became the norm at Knowsley Road.
Pryce made his debut at Harlequins on 11th February 2006 in a 40-16 romp and it soon became obvious that his attacking skills in particular would be a real bonus for the team in their continuing chase for honours. A deceptively powerful runner, with good hands, he went on to win the treble in his first season.
In fact, that long-striding stand off's crucial try in the 2006 Grand Final against Hull FC was arguably the game-breaker in that tense finale.
In 2007 the team beat Brisbane Broncos to win the World club Challenge and he followed that up with two more Challenge Cup successes, in 2007 and 2008. Leon also shared the Lance Todd trophy with Paul Wellens after the 2007 final against Catalans Dragons – the first at the ‘new’ Wembley. He also helped the team to win three League Leaders’ shields.
Although disappointment followed in three consecutive Grand finals [2007, 2008 and 2009] he remains the most prominent ‘6’ for the club in the Super League era. One particular highlight was his hat-trick of tries against Warrington in a 40-12 victory on 7th May 2007.
Another? His try in the 2008 Challenge Cup Final against Hull FC, although he was very much the provider overall, his smooth, almost laid-back style creating a myriad of opportunities for his three-quarter line.
It is a pity that injury blighted the former Queensbury amateur’s latter years at Saints and he played his final game against Salford Reds in 2011 – his 160th for the club, a fine record of achievement that included 73 tries.
Further spells at Catalans Dragons, Hull and a return to first club Bradford Bulls ensued before he called it a day. Coaching also beckoned at Workington Town for a spell and these days he can often be seen as a television summariser. In November 2020 was appointed Head Coach of Mirfield Stags. His son, Will, has also signed for Huddersfield Giants.
Any former player who has not yet received his Heritage Number Certificate should contact Saints Heritage Society at info@saints.org.uk
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