Take a look at just some of the reaction to Jack Welsby's contract extension with the Saints until at least the end of 2027!
The Saints first teased the announcement of Welsby’s deal increasing by a further two seasons by encouraging supporters to tune into Sky Sports News after 6pm on Wednesday evening.
Around twenty past six presenter Mike Wedderburn introduced ‘Super Jack’ who revealed the news to the world…
The live clip of Welsby’s appearance on Super League’s official broadcast partner, Sky Sports, was featured on their official X/Twitter account which has over 12 and a half million followers.
The written story was also published onto Sky Sports’ website at the top of the Rugby League page.
How did Jack’s fellow teammates react?
Most took to their Instagram pages to share their delight:
- Mark Percival said “The King! Made up for you my mate.”
- Jonny Lomax kept it short and sweet “Huge! Congrats Jack!”
- Lewis Dodd made his reaction even shorter with just a crown emoji 👑 and @’d his teammate
- Tommy Makinson did similar but placed the crown on a photo he took of Jack live on Sky Sports
- Moses Mbye, who has loved getting his own song since joining the Saints, referenced the chant our fans sing for Welsby posting “Suuuuuuupper Jack!”
- And it was a good day all round for Joe Batchelor who shared the news with three clapping hands and a crown emoji 👏 and also revealed he got a “Crunchie in the advent calendar as well. What a day.”
👑 JACK 🙌🏽 https://t.co/76nYEq7RNt
— Konrad Hurrell (@konmanhurrell) December 20, 2023
As part of the announcement, an exclusive interview player interview with the Daily Mirror’s Nigel Wiskar was published online at the time of the reveal. On Thursday morning, an extended version of the interview received a full page spread in the print edition with the headline ‘Union Jack’.
Click on the image below to read the online version 👇
Ahead of Liverpool’s quarter-final clash in the Carabao Cup against West Ham, the breaking news of our England international’s extension was discussed in-depth live on BBC Radio Merseryside with their Rugby League Commentator Phil Kinsella.
Phil spoke about just how big the news is, not just for the Saints, but for the competition of Super League as a whole.
💬 “It’s something that the game desperately needed to stop the talent drain down under”
🗣️ @philkinsella spoke to @GiuliaBould after Jack Welsby signed a new contract with @Saints1890 until the end of the 2027 season
🎧 Full chat on @BBCSounds ⤵️
— BBC Sport Merseyside (@bbcmerseysport) December 21, 2023
Listen to the full discussion on BBC Radio Merseyside by clicking here.
Over on the BBC Sport website, the Welsby news was also on front page of the website and top of the breakout rugby league section too.
The official press release was shared on the Super League website, in what is undoubtedly huge and strongly positive news for the competition in the northern hemisphere, as one of their premier talents commits for the next four years to play.
The news brought an end to recent speculation that the Red V’s number #1 would be heading over to Australia to play in the NRL.
Brad Walter, the NRL’s Senior Reporter wrote about the news on the competition’s official website.
Coming back to more local matters, the town’s local paper the St Helens Star ran the story on their website and gave three pages in their print edition too regarding the news.
Mike Critchley also spoke to Head Coach Paul Wellens for an exclusive Q&A about retaining the services of Welsby.
That is just scratching the surface of some of the media organisations that published or commented on the story about our England international fullback!
Then there was of course the most important reactions, that of the Saints faithful…
And we think we would be fair to say, the news of our early Christmas present for supporters was incredibly well recieved.
Just take a look at the comments under each of these posts published on the Club’s official social media channels!
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So, Jack Welsby’s future is secured and St.Helens’ Pre-Season is well underway for the 2024 Betfred Super League season.
Are you joining us for it?
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