As Haydock-born and raised Conor Coady prepares for his World Cup debut in Qatar, here’s a look back in time at five other St Helens athletes who proudly have represented the nation on the world stage.

 

5. Lily Parr – women’s football

Summer football was dominated by the England Lionesses when crowned European Champions but it is not the first time Women have stolen the headlines.

Back in 1921, after the Football Association had banned women’s clubs from using their pitches to host matches, Lily Parr continued to set the standards for female footballers in protest of the FA’s decision.

Regarded as one of the best players of her time, the versatile striker and winger racked up around 1,000 goals across her thirty-year career, all while fighting for a much-deserved place in a male-dominated industry.

4. Kenneth Shuttleworth – cricket

England and Australia ruled the roost in world cricket throughout the 1900s. The Ashes series is the most iconic in world cricket with it’s history and rivalry. Ken ‘Shut’ Shuttleworth helped secure the first of two back-to-back triumphs in 1970.

The fast bowler took five wickets on his test debut in Brisbane that winter, etching his name into a list of 159 cricketers, 47 who are English, to have achieved this feat since records began in 1877.

3. Wayne Brown – snooker

Wayne Brown played professional snooker for over a decade from 1994 and reached a career’s best of 69 in world rankings after beating world champions Jimmy White and Steve Davies before 2002.

Brown then made his England debut at amateur level in 2014, almost 10 years on from hanging up his cue, but not before having to raise the required £1,000 to take part.

The 50-year-old continues to represent the country across Europe and the world but is yet to bring home the trophy.

2. Ed Clancy – cyclist

Yorkshire born but Newton-le-Willows proud, Edward Clancy OBE, is one of England’s most successful track and road racers with over 20 medals to his name, including three Olympic golds in the team pursuit. The endurance rider was also a part of the group who set eight world records in the same event.

St Helens council wanted to commemorate his Olympic triumph in 2012 by installing a gold post box outside his house but permission was denied.

1. Lucy Renshall – judo

Current world number 1 in the -63kg category and recently announced British Judo Female of the Year Lucy Renshall is one of the most promising judokas of her generation.

With her roots shared between both St Helens and Walsall in the West Midlands, Renshall has won the hearts of all judo fans this past month, after securing a fifth grand slam title on her return from an elbow injury which had kept her out of last summer’s Commonwealth Games.

Merseyside continues to produce some of the best sports stars from across the globe, and St Helens will always have a place for their own heroes.

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