TODAY'S #ThrowbackThursday looks back at a player who joined Saints 20 years ago after adopting the old adage 'if you can't beat em join em' when he left Bradford Bulls for Ian Millward's side in 2004.

Great Britain second row Lee Gilmour, who combined quality workrate in defence with penetrative running on the edge, enjoyed six trophy-laden years at Knowsley Road.

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And given the warmth of the reception he received every time he returned - whether with Huddersfield, Castleford or Wakefield - the common consensus is that his departure from Saints at the end of 2009 was two years too soon.

Gilmour had enjoyed success with Wigan and Bradford, but his moved to Saints ahead of the 2004 season, was just what his career needed after being the utility man for three years at Wigan and then a similar role at Bradford.

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Gilimour ultimately moved into the role of skipper Chris Joynt, who was in his final season at the club when he arrived.

And there was something of a baptism of fire for Gilmour at Saints, with a swift return to Bradford in the cup.

That immediately demonstrated what being at Saints was all about.

That cup run to Cardiff saw Saints then face other top five teams en route to the final - Leeds, Hull, Huddersfield and then Wigan.

And the finale at the Millennium Stadium was particularly special, ending a spell of three Challenge Cup final defeats by Wigan.

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There was turbulence too, and the departure of Millward in 2005 did leave him scratching his head.

But all came good in the arrival of Daniel Anderson, who guided the team to a treble in 2006, including that Grand Final win over Hull FC.

Gilmour's work at Saints was appreciated by Anderson, who when asked to sum up his play in a sentence said: “Gilly was always in the trenches and is up there with one of the toughest players I have ever coached.”

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Gilmour reluctantly moved on to Huddersfield at the end of 2009 as Saints tried to give youth its head in the shape of Matty Ashurst and Andrew Dixon.

He left with a record of 52 tries from 178 appearances between 2004-09.

Gilmour remained hugely popular - even the the chairman Eamonn McManus later admitted he was released too soon - and always received a warm welcome on his return.

“I remember scoring the first time I came to the new stadium, and I got a big cheer from the Saints fans - and that was nice. I would have loved to have had 10 years here.

“The time here was the happiest of my career - the lads and fans were great and it was a family atmosphere at Knowsley Road but all good things must come to an end.

“But I do think it was too early,” he said