FORMER Saints skipper Shane Cooper will be one of the guests at next Tuesday’s Q&A forum at the Totally Wicked Stadium, joining Matty Lees and Morgan Knowles in an event to raise funds for the 2026 Academy tour to Australia.

It will be a great opportunity to listen to the man who, in the late 80s and early 90s, directed operations.

Elusive and shrewd, the crafty Kiwi was a stand-off when he first jumped on to the Saints ship in October 1987.

And he was steering that vessel with the captain's armband on, later moving to the number 13 berth; a position he held until his departure in 1995.

In that time he clocked up 76 tries from 271 appearances and chipped over a half dozen drop goals.

Although he was more of a creator than a scorer, that did not stop him from joining that elite band of players who have scored six tries in a first team match.

That feat came in the 64-2 trouncing of Hull FC in February 1988.

When Saints moved to spend their post 1987 Wembley windfall, they brought in Stuart Evans, Les Quirk and Paul Groves, but it was the New Zealander who proved to be the linchpin.

Cooper was a brilliant reader of the game, bringing the touch of guile, craft and creativity that had maybe been missing since Harry Pinner’s departure in 1986.

Although not the biggest of blokes, he evaded plenty of the big shots with his footwork and shrewd ball playing.

Once his Auckland touring duties were complete, Cooper was on board at Saints – skippering the team to their first and only John Player Trophy Final success over Leeds at Central Park, Wigan.

The problem was – as outlined in the opening statement – Saints played entirely around him and so when he was not there – like the back end of the 1988 campaign - Saints floundered. Without him they lost three on the spin and the title went to Widnes.

Cooper twice appeared in Challenge Cup Final defeats by Wigan (1989 and 1991) but lifted more silverware with the Lancashire Cup success in 1991.

After losing the 1992 League Championship on points difference, Cooper captained Saints to the 1993 Premiership Trophy win over Wigan at Old Trafford.

A classy player, Cooper was a big character needed during an often difficult spell in the shadow of big-spending Wigan.

A five-match ban prematurely ended his 1995 campaign and Saints career and at 33, he left for Widnes.

The forum is a fundraiser for the 2026 Academy Tour to Australia and takes place on Tuesday, 23 July at 7.30pm.

Joining Cooper and host Mike Bennett on the panel for the forum will be former academy tourists Morgan Knowles and Matty Lees.

Tickets are £20pp and includes supper and can be purchased via Dave Howarth on 07908 646569 or email davehowarth51@gmail.com.