LAST week the Star reported on the 25th anniversary of Saints pulling off one of the most memorable victories in their history.
Wembley was the stage with Shaun McRae’s Saints beating Bradford Bulls 40-32 to win the Challenge Cup for the first time in 20 years.
But it is not just the day amid the glorious sunshine at Wembley that lives long in the memory – it was the magical homecoming too.
Saints had won their first Challenge Cup for 20 years – and the town rejoiced!
As the players travelled through town on an open-top bus parade, thousands lined the route to cheer Bobbie Goulding and the boys home.
Bobbie Goulding, centre, can't hide his delight as he arrives in the town centre with his rain soaked team mates and the Silk Cut Challenge Trophy. (Press Association)
The celebrations followed a titanic cup final. Saints had started well beneath the Twin Towers with two Steve Prescott tries opened the scoring.
But, bit by bit, Saints’ early advantage turned into a 26-12 deficit approaching the final quarter, and the cup final misery looked set to continue.
Then Goulding put boot to ball, his high steepling kick was left by Bulls full back Nathan Graham and Keiron Cunningham sprung into action to touch down.
Saints had found Bulls’ Achilles heel, and boy did they, or rather Goulding, exploit it.
St Helens team and mascot, (team captain Bobbie Golding's son, Bobbie), celebrate their victory at Wembley today over Bradford Bulls in the Silk Cut Challenge Cup.
Two more Goulding bombs yielded two further scores, with Simon Booth and Ian Pickavance touching down, and Saints were back in front with Danny Arnold adding his second. Although Bulls’ Robbie Paul completed his hat-trick to keep everyone on tenterhooks, Apollo Perelini launched himself at the line to make sure.
It was the win that started the ball rolling for the successes that followed – and one that will be remembered fondly by all of those there that day.
The boot of Bobbie Goulding led Saints’ revival against Bradford in 1996
Apollo
Steve Prescott celebrates after scoring one of his two tries
St Helens team captain Bobbie Golding and son of the same name descend the steps to the pitch at Wembley after his side won the Silk Cut Challenge Cup in 1996. (Press Association)
Do you remember the homecoming? Share your memories by emailing mike.critchley@nqnw.co.uk
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