West Park St Helens - 1970s Onwards

1970s Onwards

In pre-league rugby union days, the Lancashire RFU had at their disposal the best players in the county, and it was a sign of West Park's progress that in the 70s, Mike Glover, Rob Briers, Bernard Barrow, Bill Lawrenson and Barrie Barton gained County honours. Indeed, Glover and Briers were in the County side that won the Championship in 1972/73. Rob Briers, of course, went on to gain 44 County caps and to represent both the North and England under-23s.

Not surprisingly, players became the targets of the senior clubs and in succeeding years West Park regularly had to rebuild their side. The 'Professional Code', as it was then known, was also not slow in recognising rugby talent and in one season sevens players "turned" to Rugby League, two at least going on to International honours.

Improving the fixture lists, even after successful performances against 'better teams', was a difficult job, but the Club Fixture Secretaries have shown persistence and imagination over the years. West Park was forced to travel as far as Northumberland, South Wales, the Midlands and Yorkshire in order to meet stronger opposition, with some outstanding performances being registered in pre-league days. Success in the Lancashire Cup (twice as semi-finalists, once as runners-up) and in the Lancashire Trophy (twice winners) were interspersed with early success in the pioneer Girobank League structure. West Park was rewarded with a place in the North West 1st Division at the start, and when full RFU leagues were inaugurated we narrowly missed obtaining National status by finishing just one position from promotion.

Always active tourists, in addition to tours to Ireland and South Wales, West Park have twice visited the Americas (USA & Canada)

Many former players play an active role in the running of the club. Several of the original founder team members are still active, including Ken Ward. Outstanding individuals over the years are too many to mention, but Mike Allen regularly topped the try-scoring list for many seasons. Others with long service in the First XV were John Howard, Malcolm Worsley, Graham Houghton (the longest serving captain), Bernard Barrow, Dennis Glynn, Austin Sweeney and others too numerous to mention.

At the start of the National Leagues in 1987/88, West Park was in North Division 1, from which they narrowly missed promotion. Unfortunately, an exodus of some of the best players meant that, as mentioned before, team rebuilding had to begin again with the inevitable result of relegation to North Division 2, and then to North West 1, as 'money' began to 'talk' in the higher divisions.