St.Helens R.F.C. can confirm that Academy Head Coach Derek Traynor will retire at the end of the 2026 season after more than 30 years of service to the Club.
Widely regarded as one of the finest youth development coaches in Rugby League, Traynor leaves behind an extraordinary legacy, having helped develop countless players who have gone on to represent St.Helens and clubs across the sport.
The 66-year-old has been a lifelong Saints supporter since his father first took him to the terraces at Knowsley Road. Traynor began working within the Club’s youth programme in 1995. From the outset, his passion for developing players was clear, but it was never solely about performances on the field. He has taken just as much pride in seeing young men develop away from Rugby League and forge successful careers both in and out of sport.
Having taken over as Academy Head Coach in 2005, Traynor has led the Saints Academy to many successes, including the Club’s most recent Academy Championship triumph in 2023. He has also been an integral part of nine Saints Academy Tours of Australia, with the next one set to take place later on this year.
The Saints take great pride in developing homegrown talent for the First Team, and it is no coincidence that the Club’s most successful period in our recent history has gone hand-in-hand with so many Academy-developed players playing their part in our senior squad.
Whilst continuing to work with the Saints until the end of the 2026 season, Traynor believes the time will be right to begin his next chapter.
“I think it’s an age thing as much as anything. Age catches up with all of us! I know, though, that we have some excellent young coaches like Gary Wheeler coming through,” said Derek Traynor.
“I feel it’s also time to put my family first. Over the years, I’ve often put work, the Club and the players ahead of them, so it’s time to pay them back and put them firmly first.
“The very first person I have to thank is my wife, Janet, for giving me the time to go and do what I have had to do. I truly appreciate her support and understanding.”
Expressing his gratitude for the people he has worked alongside, Traynor said:
“I’ve spent a long time at the Club, and during that time I have worked with a lot of people who started as colleagues and became genuine friends. They have played a massive part in the development of our players and our youth system over many years.
“I would like to thank Mike Rush and Neil Kilshaw. We spent 20 years together without a cross word, all wanting the same thing: to produce players for the First Team.
“To the many staff and volunteers who have helped us over the years, we truly appreciate everything they do for the Club.
“I hope I don’t forget anyone, but thank you to people such as: Eric Chisnall, Paul Molyneux, Eric Frodsham, Steve Marsh, Ste Leonard, Ian Talbot, Shaun Ryan, Gary Wheeler, Mark Brocklehurst, John Braddish, Brad Billsborough, Kailum Rush, and Adam Sidlow. As well as Dave Woods for all his help on the Academy tours and so many more people.”
From 2027, Traynor will continue his support of the Club from the stands as a supporter and will keep a keen eye on the players he has helped to develop.
“I will always be a Saints fan. I want to see players like Harry Robertson play at Wembley, and I want to see Owen Dagnall and George Whitby playing in Grand Finals. When you’ve helped develop players, you want to see them succeed, and I’m sure I’ll be watching the Club enjoy success for many years to come.”
Chairman Eamonn McManus commented: “On behalf of everyone associated with St.Helens, I would like to thank Derek profusely for his efforts and achievements with our Academy teams over the last thirty or so years.
“He has been a major contributor to its success, and in turn, the Academy has been a major contributor to our First Team’s remarkable success during that period. Its standards have consistently been at the highest level, and it has produced some of the greatest players of the modern era.
A very large number of our Academy players have also gone on to represent other Super League and NRL clubs throughout this period and have been significant contributors to Super League’s success.
“The England and Great Britain teams have also been major beneficiaries of our efforts and success.
“Our youth policy is a defining facet of our club, and Derek has been at the epicentre of its evolution and success.”
