St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus has publicly thanked supporters who travelled to the derby at the DW Stadium, after the club parted company with head coach Paul Rowley less than 36 hours before the game. The message, posted on the club website, also acknowledged the gesture of respect from rivals Wigan Warriors and underlined the tough weeks ahead for Saints.
Tributes and travelling support
Around 1,700 Saints fans made the journey to Wigan for a match that attracted close to 19,000 spectators. McManus highlighted their loud and sustained backing despite the turmoil surrounding the club and a heavy defeat on the day.
“The support was truly, truly magnificent throughout. A badly depleted Saints team also gave their all in turn,”
The statement also paid tribute to a gesture by Wigan and their chief executive, which McManus said demonstrated "the mutual respect which each of our clubs have for each other beneath the intense on field rivalry".
On-field situation: injuries and change in coaching staff
Saints lost the derby 38-16 under interim boss Eamon O’Carroll. The result came amid an "unprecedented injury situation" and the recent departure of the head coach — circumstances McManus said had made the match especially challenging for the players.
In his message he stressed both the supporters' expectations and their appreciation of effort, writing that fans "will not accept or tolerate a lack of commitment but are equally appreciative of total bravery and effort." He added that it is now "very much backs against the wall for us for the remainder of the season," while expressing confidence that the players will keep fighting.
What this means for supporters and the immediate calendar
For travelling supporters the next fixture is away to York Knights on Saturday evening. The chairman’s message appears intended to reassure fans that the board recognises their role and to set expectations for a difficult run of fixtures given current constraints.
- Last match: Wigan Warriors 38–16 St Helens
- Attendance: ~19,000 (approx. 1,700 Saints fans)
- Next match: York Knights (away)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Derby result | 38–16 defeat |
| Saints fans travelling | ~1,700 |
| Overall crowd | ~19,000 |
McManus’ statement is the latest public communication from the club as it navigates short-term disruption. For supporters, the message seeks to combine gratitude with realism, urging continued backing while acknowledging the pressures on the squad and coaching arrangements.
Local interest in the club remains high and the coming fixtures will be watched closely by fans and stakeholders across St Helens for signs of stability and on-field response.
