A TEAK-tough Test scrum-half, who emigrated to Australia after starring in Saints four cups side of 1966, has returned to his Knowsley Road roots -- but only for a holiday.

Local lad Tommy Bishop jetted in from Sydney and is staying for part of the three-week break with his brother Allan, mine host at the Globe Hotel, Hardshaw Street, and himself a former player with Huyton and Blackpool Borough.

Bish, as Tommy is popularly known, is married to St Helens girl Betty, and the couple are the proud parents of Gary, Neil, Gail and Paul, who also played for Saints. Seven grandchildren complete the happy family circle.

And the oval ball was out with a vengeance at Knowsley Road when 60-year-old Hall of Fame member Tommy was guest of Saints at the recent game against Salford Reds, and restaurant compere Lennie Lowe lost no time in giving him a grilling on a lifetime in Rugby League.

Born and bred in Borough Road and a former pupil of Windle Pilkington and Higher Grade schools, 5ft 4in 11-stone pocket battleship Bishop played for Blackpool Borough and Barrow before signing for Saints in January, 1966.

His arrival saw Alex Murphy switch to centre, and Tommy went on to make 135 appearances for Saints in which he scored 47 tries and dropped 17 goals for the club, one of those touchdowns coming in the 21-2 defeat of Wigan at Wembley.

Tommy also skippered Saints on several occasions and, on a representative note, he made 15 Great Britain appearances including the Australian tour in 1966. He was a member of the World Cup squad Down Under in 1968, and was captain in a series against France.

Bishop left Knowsley Road for Australia -- and ultimately Cronulla -- in 1969 and, along with Cliff Watson, was in the team that lost to Manly in the Sydney Grand Final of 1973.

Tommy and his family have since lived in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney and Surfer's Paradise, where he now owns a thriving drinks company.

And Bish and Paul have a particular claim to fame from a Rugby League angle, because they are the only father and son to play for Saints in Challenge Cup Finals at Wembley!