West Park St Helens - Modern Era

Modern Era

During recent seasons, the club has pushed forward in bringing the youth of the club to the fore. In Liam McLoughlin, Kevin Wheddon, Mark Williams, Darren Wilson, Andy Roberts, Mike Taylor, Phil Webster, Andrew Soutar, Brad Barker and Adam Leadbetter we have produced genuine first team talent, and it is hoped that they remain part of the first team squad on a regular basis.

The 1999/2000 season must be the finest in the club's history, with Sean Fletcher, Alan Prescott, Mike Gilman, John Bradbury and Bob Singleton running the first team squad, ably assisted by Mark Potter, Vinny King and Mark Barrow running the lower teams. Together they have proved to be a formidable team. Chris O'Toole and Neil Ryan joined us mid-season and together proved to be a tremendous halfback partnership, and Steve Bibby, as ever, proving to be an immovable object at No. 8. 'Player of the Year' Martin Strett was rejuvenated at fullback, and was able to bring on the talents of centre Paul Bailey. With the effervescent Glen Fletcher kicking to win, they steered Chris Stabler, Dom McCormack, Phil Lawrenson, Neil Slater and Steve Briers to great success. In the forwards, Sean Fletcher was inspirational at lock forward. Ross Bell, Mark Nolan, Carl Wales, Neil Atherton, Eliot Laughton, Chris Pennington, Phil Houlton, Rob Hanson, and the evergreen Bod Potter, have all formed a base on which the team has gone on to win the Thwaites North West Division 1 (undefeated). In addition, Park also won the Lancashire Trophy, beating Warrington 41-21 in the final at Preston Grass Hoppers, and at the same venue defeating National Division 2 side, Manchester, 33-23 in the John Burgess Lancashire Senior Cup. And not to be outdone, the Junior Colts, under Mike Webster and Ray Leadbetter, went on to win the R.T.J. Briers Lancashire Under-17s Cup, defeating Sedgley Park 11-10 at Wigan. Chris Briers scored a last-minute penalty to clinch a game that should have been in the bag after West Park had dominated for much of the play. What a season!

It had started well with Rob Briers being elected President of Lancashire (the first West Park member ever to be appointed). Both his sons gained representative honours and his beloved West Park went all the way in the league and cups, the 99/00 season is one that he will not forget. The icing on the cake came at both ends of the spectrum with Chris Jones winning an England Cap at Under-18s Clubs' level and Chris O'Toole being selected for the British Lions team who reached the final of the Classic Vets competition in Japan.

The 2000/2001 season offered some testing moments playing against the likes of Vale of Lune, Broughton Park, Widnes, Winnington Park, Lymm, Blackburn and Aldwinians in the newly formed North 2 (West) league. But West Park was up to the challenge and we were duly promoted, again as champions. Another great season was further enhanced by more England honours. No less than three of the Colts players, Chris Briers, Andy Kyriacou and Ian Critchley, were recognised at England under-18s Schools level, while former-Colt, Chris Jones, was recognised at England Under-19s. All have now moved on: Andi, Chris and Chris to Sale Sharks while Ian has gone to London Irish, where he joined another former West Park prop, Mike Worsley, who himself received his first full England cap against Italy in the 2003 Six Nations tournament. The Under-16s won the Lancashire Cup under Jeff Lawrenson and John Mather.

Season 2001/2002 matched us with the likes of Bradford & Bingley, Macclesfield, Halifax, Hull Ionians, Sheffield, Driffield and Darlington in North Division 1. Riding on the crest of the success wave of the previous years brought us so close to promotion, only to finish third after leading for most of the season. This season also saw the formation of West Park Warriors (formerly the 3rd XV) who played well enough to consolidate their new position in North Lancs Division 2. This move has led to more players signing for the club and the creation of the 4th XV. On a sad note, this season also witnessed the passing on of six founder members: Joe McCormack, Vint Wynn, Tony Greenhall, Harry Huyton, Des Platt and Fred Burrows, all within six weeks of each other. The Under-17s won the Lancashire Cup under Jeff Lawrenson and John Mather.

2002/2003 proved to be a consolidation season in North Division 1 with a number of retirements by the older players and the introduction of several youngsters, eventually finishing 7th after escaping from the relegation dogfight. The experienced Sean Fletcher was replaced by 22 year old Liam McLoughlin as club captain towards the end of the season after sustaining a serious eye injury which has resulted in his early retirement from the playing staff. The Under-18s won the Under-19s Lancashire Cup, their third successive Lancashire Cup win under Jeff Lawrenson and John Mather.

2003/2004 sees the 1st XV challenging again to reach the National Leagues from Powergen North Division 1; the 2nd XV taking their place in the newly formed North West Intermediate League Division 1, after two seasons in the North West Merit Table; and West Park Warriors taking their place in North Lancs. Division 1 after being promoted from Division 2 as champions.

2004-05 Liam McLoughlin who was appointed captain once again, unfortunately left for the greener pastures of Orrell. Martin Jones continued as club coach.

New Zealand Sports Academy based in the North Island Rotorua, who help to develop young Maori rugby Players, have formed a relationship with West Park via John Fletcher Director of Administration and Jim Love of the New Zealand Academy. They have been responsible for bring over two young Maori players “Clint Lockwood” and “Mattie Henwood”, the first of many we hope.

West Park won the Lancashire Cup with newly appointed captain “Carl Newman” picking up the cup, after successfully beating Preston Grasshoppers at Sedgley Park, they also won the “Lancashire sevens” at Blackburn overcoming Leeds Tykes in the final.

West Park’s Rob Briers was appointed Lancashire representative to the Council of the Rugby Football Union a great honour for the club. Proposed Re-development plans published, included turning the pitches around creating 3 pitches, also a new clubhouse.

Stalwart and sponsor of many years “John Graham Smith” (of Mr Smiths Nightclub) died on 8 April 2005, a man who contributed so much to the club in many ways, he will be greatly missed.

2005-06 Carl Newman continued as captain, also Martin Jones continued as club coach. This was the most momentous season for West Park, who qualified for the “National Leagues” for the first time in their history, North Three.

After finishing second in the League to Morley, they were now in the play off which was away against the formidable “Bedford Athletic”. Park won in extra time, after being behind 17-0 with just over 20 minutes to go. They forced extra time, the scores being tied at 17-17. Park eventually ran out winners 17-24. Park also had the top try scorer in North One with “Stephen Briers”, they also had the top goal kicker and top points scorer with “Andrew Soutar”.

In the 2010-11 Season, the West Park Warriors, in their last season as a team won the Lancashire Bowl Competition. This marked a fitting send off for a side years in the making. That Warriors side provided players who to this very day comprise key personnel in all three of the Red Rocks Active sides.