Gold Membership

Gerald McHenry

1939 - Present

Chapter 1: Cup Tinged with Tragedy

Wembley means so much to all Rugby League fans. It is a day for excitement and the fulfilment of dreams not just for the players and coach but also the fans. Saturday the 13th May 1972 was certainly a day of joy Saints Fans, well, most of them. Alas fate is such that tragedy can tap you on the shoulder when it's least expected. Click on the videos tab above to view the film.

Click below to watch the 'Cup Tinged with Tragedy' film

Chapter 2: A Life Supporting Saints

I was born on Derbyshire Hill Road in 1939 and like everybody else there we were poorer than church mice but we were always doing something. I suppose I had been a Saints supporter since I was taught how to read but never could afford to go to watch them. But in the March of 1952 I must have done some errands because I was able to go and watch Saints' for the first time. I can't remember much about the game for the Saints' team, but I do remember that I went with a lad called Jack Donovan and we played against Belle Vue Rangers. As I grew older my passion did not diminish and when I started working I carried on supporting.

I have many memories of supporting the Saints'. Saints' playing at Wembley plays a big part in a lot of my favourite memories. One of my earliest memories is not actually when we won, what I remember is listening to the radio when Saints lost to Huddersfield at Wembley 1952. But I was at Wembley in 1956 when we beat Halifax thanks to that fantastic Frank Carlton try. I was also at Wembley in 1961 when we beat, with the sweetest of the victories against Wigan and I was there again for our great win over Wigan in 1966.

A great memory I have was a replay we played at Barrow on the way to Wembley. Barrow were a very good team and we had to play at Central Park in the afternoon. There were no floodlights in those days and in extra time when the huge crowd thought it was going to be another draw, along comes Steve Llewelleyn, beating half a dozen players to score a try to take us to Wembley. I swear even the Barrow supporters cheered him.

By 1963 I had married and had left St Helens, but I still supported Saints, but not having a car proved difficult when I wanted to go and see the Saints'. Whenever I could get the chance to go and see the Saints' I went by two buses from where I lived. My wife went to Wembley with me in 1966 and has been to many Saints' matches with me over the years.

This year I did not renew my season ticket but I hope to be able to when the new stadium comes along as it would be a long journey for me to get to Widnes via buses. But I would still wish, like every year, for a successful season even though we will be playing in Widnes. COME ON YOU SAINTS!!!!

Gallery Pictures of Gerald McHenry at Knowsley Road