Thousands turn out to welcome Challenge Cup trophies home

The Tour included a vintage St.Helens area bus supplied by the Northwest Transport Museum based in St.Helens, the same bus that was used for other Cup homecoming celebrations including in 1996.

The men’s and women’s teams headed through a route of the borough displaying the three trophies (x2 Challenge Cups and Super League trophy), with Kristian Woolf’s men still celebrating Saturday’s triumph at Wembley.

The women’s team had won the cup earlier in the year but had been unable to celebrate due to the pandemic and restrictions.

Due to measures to combat Covid, there was no event at Victoria Square to end the tour as in previous years with St Helens Council and the Club wanting to avoid any official large gathering.

However despite this, the elation, pride and excitement was clearly on show – with flags and homemade trophies being waved by thousands of fans – a day which will live long in the memory.

What a reception! 🚌
What a fan base! 👏
This is St Helens! ♥️ #COYS pic.twitter.com/gCc2FvaXc4

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 19, 2021

The buses took a route from Haydock to St Helens, winding through areas that included Blackbrook, Parr, Sutton, Thatto Heath, Eccleston and Dentons Green – and big turnouts gathered, sang and waved.

🏆🏆🏆🏆@TheChallengeCup #COYS pic.twitter.com/V3sYWxK7YG

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 19, 2021

Head over to the Club’s Twitter account to see the countless videos and images shared by supporters who came out of their houses to welcome the two team’s home.

Well worth the wait! @Saints1890 Men and Women bring home the pride. What a brilliant end to the best weekend. St.Helens and couldn’t be prouder! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Welcome home @TheChallengeCup x 2 pic.twitter.com/AcUInG4744

— Johnny Vegas (@JohnnyVegasReal) July 19, 2021

A lovely touch from this 𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙙 yesterday who certainly knows what it means to win @TheChallengeCup! 👍#COYS pic.twitter.com/wJMKFVqEiq

— St.Helens R.F.C. (@Saints1890) July 20, 2021