1.       St Helens RFC was founded in 1873, and moved to their current ground at Knowsley Road in 1890. They were founder members of the breakaway Northern Union in 1895, from which the 13-a-side game we know today evolved.

2.       Saints played in the first Rugby League Challenge Cup Final in 1897. Since then, they have played in 19 Finals, lifting the famous trophy on 11 occasions. Their most recent success was in 2007, when they beat Catalan Dragons in the first ever final at the New Wembley.

3.       Saints’ mascots are St Bernard, who once appeared on BBC’s Newsnight programme, and his adopted pup Boots!

4.       Saints matches are often visited by celebrities. Famous fans include comedians Johnny Vegas and Ricky Tomlinson, and 13-times World Darts Champion Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor. Other fans we have also paid welcome to or have pledged allegiance to the Red Vee are George Gillette, Gordon Burns, Phil Price (golfer), HRH Princes William and Harry, Suzi Perry, Helen Chamberlain, Jonny Depp, John Malkovich, Andy Flintoff, Rafa Benitez, David Moyes, Edith Bowman and Tim Cahill.

5.       In 2008, Saints matches will be televised live on Sky TV at least 10 times.

6.       The recognisable ‘red vee’ strip actually only first appeared in 1961, for the Challenge Cup Final against Wigan. They won 12-6, and the kit has since become synonymous with the Saints.

7.       Some of rugby league’s most famous names have played for St Helens, including Tom van Vollenhoven, Vinty Karalius, Ray French, Alex Murphy, Kel Coslett, Mal Meninga, Paul Newlove, Chris Joynt and Jamie Lyon.

8.       Saints have 12 Great Britain internationals in their squad: captain Paul Sculthorpe, Keiron Cunningham, Nick Fozzard, Ade Gardner, Lee Gilmour, James Graham, Sean Long, Leon Pryce, James Roby, Paul Wellens, Jon Wilkin and Maurie Fa'asavalu.

9.       By winning three of four trophies on offer in 2007, Saints became the Modern Era’s most successful team.

10.   The Saints-led annual Merseyside Tag Rugby Festival for Year 6 schoolchildren (aged 10-11), involves more 40 Liverpool primary schools and more than 1200 schoolchildren.