THATTO Heath Crusaders this month celebrates its Silver Jubilee following the merger of two distinct clubs after a show of hands vote at a meeting at the Sidac club in June 1999.

And what a glorious 25 years it has been for a club borne out of a merger between Thatto Heath and the Bobbies Lane-based St Helens Crusaders.

A full-page feature from the St Helens Star from that landmark formation in 1999 is still held in the club records, and it features a picture of where the impressive Close Street complex now stands.

(Image: Club)

The club has built on the foundations of the original Thatto Heath formed by former Saints full back Frank Barrow in 1981.

Founded by Danny Rylance and Dave Mathews in 1982, St Helens Crusaders too had plenty of feathers in their caps for their strong junior/youth section that had helped produce players such as Keiron Cunningham, Lee Briers, Steve Prescott, Kevin Brown and James Graham.

(Image: Club)

The merged club’s silverware haul is numerous to list but its Open Age section includes a couple of BARLA National Cups – once with NCL team and once with NWML team, the Lancashire Cup, two NCL Premierships and Grand Final wins and a European Cup.

The Women’s team won the Challenge Cup four times – but that is only part of the club’s success story.

Thatto Heath Crusaders has grown into one of the largest Community Clubs in the country with 26 teams and approximately 500 players and 150 Coaches and Volunteers.

Chairman Mike Denning has been at the helm for much of the club’s existence - supported by a hardworking team of volunteers.

That work saw them become the first Rugby League Club in the country to gain Sport England Clubmark status in 2003, opening up avenues of funding.

And in 2017 they were the first Rugby League Club in the country to receive the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Vice chairman Dave Yates said: “The Club simply would not exist but for the hard work of all our previous and current volunteers.

“We owe so much to those who serve and have served, we are continually in your debt, thank you so very much.

“We are truly indebted to all the players at our Club and to previous players from both Clubs who have played a vital part in having set the platform for others to follow.

”And on behalf of the Club, we thank each and every one of you.

“THC synonymous with Trust, Honesty, Commitment, together we have achieved so much and our objective going forward is always self-reflection, to continuously improve and to maintain high levels of service to our members.”