THE family of a former Saints centre Tom Winnard, who scored the club’s first-ever try in a Championship final over 90 years ago, turned out in force to receive his Heritage Certificate at the Totally Wicked Stadium recently.

Saints historian Alex Service got in touch to tell us Tom’s story [Heritage Number 385] a rangy centre, who joined the club from Wigan Highfield in April 1930.

(Image: SHS)

Tom scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown in a 9-5 victory against a strong Huddersfield team at Wakefield Trinity’s Belle Vue ground on 7 May 1932 – in a landmark victory for the St Helens club.

What a cracker it was!

Saints’ pressure late in the first half began to pay off when young stand-off Jack Garvey picked up a loose ball on half-way and caught the defence flat-footed.

He swerved round full-back Bowkett and just as he was about to be tackled by back-rower Tiffany, he gave a superb pass to Winnard, who sailed in at the corner.

Tom went on to make 102 appearances for the Saints, scoring 55 tries and booting over 115 goals for an impressive 395 points tally.

(Image: SHS)

He was transferred to Bradford Northern early in the 1933-34 season for £385 when financial difficulties at Knowsley Road led to the sale of several top players, including Garvey and winger Alf Ellaby.

Winnard, whose Heritage Number was #576, was quite a success at his new club and became an England international for good measure.

Tom retired from rugby in 1944 and served with the Green Howards in Italy during the Second World War, including the Monte Casino campaign.

The Winnard family has excellent sporting credentials for sure.

Tom’s son Ralph played and captained Bradford Northern [162 games 31 tries] during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Ralph’s brother Alan was also a professional with Bramley.

Grandson Sam Gardner was a star on the wing for Keighley Cougars, who scored the opening try when Keighley beat Oldham in the 2009 Championship play-off final at Warrington.

It is certainly in the DNA!

Tom’s daughters Linda and Margaret were present at the TWS, although Eileen, Tom’s youngest, had to miss out courtesy of a broken foot.

It seemed appropriate that his heritage certificate was presented to them by another tall centre, who scored a try in Saints’ 1993 Premiership final success against Wigan and aspired to international honours: Paul Loughlin, who was delighted to do the honours.

Other family members present included grandsons Paul and Patrick Wilson and James Inman; great grandson Billy Wilson; granddaughter Hannah Linforth and son-in-law Stuart Inman.

Incidentally, Patrick’s daughter, Pearl, is also a member of the Academy at Saracens RUFC.

All later had a look inside the First Team dressing room at the stadium – a perfect end to what had been a memorable day of rugby league nostalgia.

Tom Winnard passed away in 1986 and his contribution to Saints’ first-ever League Championship success all those years ago will never be forgotten.

If you have a Saints story you would like to share with us - especially if you are a player from the 1950s, 60s, 70s or 80s then we would be more than happy to tell your story on the Back in Time page.

Get in touch with your contact details by email: mike.critchley@nqnw.co.uk