TO mark the 50 years of the St Helens Star covering Saints - we are picking a player that has done something significant in that year. Today we celebrate the career of 1977 Harry Sunderland Award winner Geoff Pimblett - the first man to complete the Harry Sunderland and Lance Todd double.
Geoff Pimblett was a hugely popular fixture at Knowsley Road throughout the 70s – and a hugely respected skipper - and remained such after he had hung up his boots with his work with the Past Players Association and even showing school parties around the old ground.
Geoff was already a rugby union county player when he switched codes from St Helens rugby union club in January, 1971, making his debut a month later.
He soon showed that his speed, nimble feet and awareness in support play were key assets and he was full back in the 16-12 Championship Final over Wigan at Station Road in May 1971.
A year later he added to his medal haul by featuring in the Challenge Cup win over Leeds at Wembley, although the double evaded them a week later.
At this stage Pimblett’s goalkicking was kept in reserve, given skipper and marksman Kel Coslett had the job, but from 1973 onwards he began to pile up the points.
The honours came thick and fast for the Grange Park schoolteacher, and he collected individual honours as well as team awards.
He was the first player to do the Lance Todd Trophy and the Harry Sunderland Trophy double after man of the match displays in the 1976 Challenge Cup Final win over Widnes and the 1977 Premiership Final triumph over Warrington.
Pimblett became club captain in 1977-78 season – a year which Saints suffered a Wembley defeat by Leeds.
Later that month on a baking hot day in May, Pimblett earned his only England cap, scoring a try and kicking nine goals in the 60-12 rout of Wales at Knowsley Road.
Alas, the following season ended prematurely for Pimblett and after a run of poor results he was left out of the team to play Wakefield in the Challenge Cup semi-final and replaced by Peter Glynn. Saints were pipped by a late runaway try.
Pimblett announced his retirement straight away – he departed with a phenomenal career haul of 1,388 points made up of 48 tries, 608 goals and 28 drop goals.
Geoff Pimblett was not simply a wonderful player and clubman, he was a warm, witty gentleman to boot.
So far we have featured Billy Benyon, John Walsh, Tony Karalius and Kel Coslett - next week we will feature another Saints Great from 1978.
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