How Ray French reflected on Saints' 1966 Wembley win

The hard-working second rower was outstanding that day in what was his first and only appearance on the Wembley turf…although he would subsequently make dozens more from the commentary box.

Had Len Killeen put on such an exemplary kicking display that afternoon, plenty believe that ‘Frenchie’ would have been in a shout for the Lance Todd Trophy such was his work rate that afternoon.

That 1966 team would go down in history as the ‘four cups Saints’ after winning a clean sweep of the big honours.

Ray French waits to shake Prime Minister Harold Wilson's hand (Image: SHS)

And a look down the teamsheet would explain why it was so successful – with a strong mixture of seven local St Helens lads, the odd Wiganer, a Cockney, two Welshmen and a pair of South African wingmen.

Ray said: “The strengths of the team, apart from everyone of them having talent and everyone being able to win a game on their own individually, was the team spirit.

“I have never played in a team like it in league or in union.

“There was a great camaraderie – as well as talent. It was a laugh a minute, playing tricks on each other all the time. It was a pleasure to go up there and train.

Tommy Bishop try (Image: SHS)

“It really was a quality side.”

There had been adjustments to that team, with Tommy Bishop and Peter Harvey operating in the halves, meaning skipper Alex Murphy moved to the centres.

Ray explained: “Alec did well in the centre and was a winner there - even though he didn’t want to play there - because he had more room.

“I can picture him now beating men and putting Tommy Voll away. He was a great character.

“Joe Coan was a very good coach. People would say how can he coach a team when he had never done rugby league in his life, but he did not need to.

“All the rugby league was in the players – Joe just got them fit and we were half an hour fitter than any other team in the game. That was the key to St Helens’ success.”

Much has been made of Wigan being marmalised in the scrums because they were without suspended hooker Colin Clarke, but Frenchie was having none of it.

“We would have beaten them Colin Clarke or no Colin Clarke and it would have been the same score. Or could have been more.

“Saints had a side that was out of the ordinary, no question about that. The pack could take on anybody – whichever way the opposition wanted it.

“If they wanted it rough they would get it tough back, if they wanted it rugby wise we would respond.

"It had everything – and then Murphy, Bishop, Vollenhoven, Harvey and Killeen, and solid home town lads like Frankie Barrow and Billy Benyon.

“It was the atmosphere on the pitch that made that team. They were your best mates,” he said.