Before the Super League clash with Wakefield Trinity, a special presentation took place at the Totally Wicked Stadium which provides a poignant reminder of the start of rugby league tours to Australia and New Zealand.
Mark Bailie, the great Grandson of Joe Houghton handed over a unique silver rose bowl for display in the Heritage Alcove at the rear of the club’s Store, given as ‘a slight token of appreciation for services renedered as a Manager of the team touring Australasia 1910.’
Joe Houghton was a superb administrator and virtually ‘part of the furniture’ of the St. Helens club for almost 60 years! Indeed, he was responsible for the changing status of the club in the early days. ”In 1887 I was elected as a member of the Club Committee,” he once recalled. “The 1895 season was the first in the Northern Union and I was elected as Club Representative on the Committee. I proposed the resolution that St. Helens severed their connection with the Rugby Union.”
Affectionately known quite simply as ‘Uncle Joe’ he was, according to the St. Helens Reporter, “the helmsman, steering the affairs of the club through seas, rough and stormy [more often stormy] until age forced him into retirement.” A prominent touch judge, he could often be seen running the line at matches. Yet his achievements were far more global. He is the man who, together with John Clifford of Huddersfield, took the first-ever Northern Union Tourists to Australia and New Zealand in 1910. The tour was a financial success, making a £1,200 profit. Furthermore, all three official Test Matches, two in Australia and one in New Zealand, were won! He made another trip four years later, which included the famous Rorke’s Drift Test match, which Great Britain won with just ten fit players on the field in the second half and subsequently, the Ashes.
“This is a superb addition to the club’s archives, particularly in World Cup year,” said Alex Service of Saints’ Heritage Society. “Although no Saints players went on the 1910 tour, it is gratifying to know that the St Helens club did play a part in what was a most significant development for the sport.”
A clothier in St. Helens, Joe was President of the Northern Union Council on two occasions [1901-02 and 1909-10]; the Lancashire County Treasurer [elected 1902] and Honorary Secretary to the Northern Rugby League [elected 1903]. He was also President of the Lancashire Senior Competition in 1897 and the County Union in 1900-01. As a mark of their respect for this great administrator, Joe was granted Life Membership of the St. Helens club in 1908. He passed away at the age of 85 at his home in Cowley Hill Lane in 1943.
For Mark and his family it was a special moment. “Considering that it is over 110 years old it polishes up well,” he added “and it will provide a reminder that the club was able to provide a truly pioneering administrator together, of course, with so many fabulous players during its history.”
