IS a Saints' star about to become the first Knowsley Road player to lift the Lance Todd Trophy at Wembley for almost 20 years?

That is yet another intriguing question on supporter's lips as the team brace themselves for the clash with Bradford Bulls, for one has to turn the clock back to 1978 to find the last Saints' winner.

Then Widnes-born forward George Nicholls earned the accolade named in memory of a former Salford manager, despite being on the losing side versus Leeds.

Local holders before that were Alan Prescott (Halifax 1956); Dick Huddart (Wigan 1961); Len Killeen (Wigan 1966); Kel Coslett (Leeds 1972); Geoff Pimblett (Widnes 1976).

Staying on a Lance Todd theme Jack Grundy was the first St. Helens-born player to win the award when playing for Barrow against Workington in 1955, while Haresfinch product Ray Ashby was a joint winner for Wigan versus Hunslet in 1965.

Thatto Heath-born Rugby League legend Alex Murphy earned this prestigious man-of-the-match honour when captaining Leigh against Leeds in 1971, while another Thatto Heather, Eddie Cunningham, did likewise for Widnes against Hull in 1982.

So what price the long wait being ending on Saturday by a Saints' player? Anyone of the 17-man squad could earn the coveted Lance Todd Trophy, if the way they have all been playing this season is the criterion.

Obviously there will be short-odds favourites according to the bookmakers, including Bobbie Goulding, Paul Newlove, Alan Hunte, Chris Joynt, Steve Prescott and Apollo Perelini.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.