St Helens Boss Daniel Anderson Scoops Top Honour

St Helens Head Coach Daniel Anderson won the Rugby League Special Award following the most successful two years in the club’s long history.

The Australian, who is returning home at the end of this season, added the personal honour to a fantastic trophy haul which saw St Helens do the treble in season 2006/6 and fall just short of repeating the feat last season.

Receiving the award, Anderson paid tribute to his players and said the achievements of the squad since he arrived had been outstanding.

"They have given full commitment and as a coach I could not have wished for anything more," he said. "I have received full support from the chairman downwards – the team spirit is fantastic.

"We had a good warm up against Wakefield at the weekend ahead of the new season and we are looking for more success in 2008."

He said it had been a family decision to return home to Australia at the end of his contract: "We have decided that after a few years in different places that now is finally the time to settle down as a family. It has been a great experience and we have thoroughly enjoyed our time in St Helens."

Saints’ loss in the Grand Final to Leeds Rhinos last season was offset by the club taking the title of World Club Champions against the much- fancied Brisbane Broncos, along with the Challenge Cup at the new Wembley stadium, and the League leaders’ plate.

Anderson has created a fantastic team spirit at Knowsley Road and in the process given his charges another string to their bow, creating a superb defensive machine.

Always known for their attacking flair, Saints now had another weapon in their armoury. Some of the defensive stints and tackling on show last season was outstanding as Saints became the team to beat yet again.

Anderson, a big Liverpool fan, was spotted on the Kop a few times last season and also hosted Liverpool FC manager Rafa Benitez to a match at Knowsley Road. His award was presented by Liverpool FC hero Phil Thompson, watched by Daniel’s wife Natalie, Saints’ chief executive Tony Colquitt, players Matt Gidley, Paul Sculthorpe, Ade Gardner, James Graham and James Roby and a former winner of the trophy, ex-Saints’ great Chris Joynt.

In the midst of all the action there was plenty more going on at Knowsley Road with the announcement of the plans for the much-heralded new stadium finally unveiled and a shake-up of boardroom and management personnel.

Meanwhile, the Saints team of 08 are hungry to kick on for more success, hoping to send Anderson back home with some more trophy wins under his belt.

But Saints, working to the edge of the salary cap, will have to do it with the same faces as last term. The club has not recruited during the close season, hoping that their youth policy, which in the past has produced Great Britain stars James Roby and James Graham, will again pay dividends.

But an ‘extra’ player will be a fit-again Paul Sculthorpe who is determined to bounce back after a woeful two years of injuries.

The bookies make Saints joint favourites for Grand Final success, but much will depend on the fitness of core players such as Long, Cunningham, Sculthorpe and Wellens.