Cunningham to stay on at Saints

THERE may already be a statue standing in St Helens town centre in his honour, but long serving hooker Keiron Cunningham’s retirement at the end of this season will not bring with it an end to his association with the club, after Saints chairman Eamonn McManus confirmed that he would be offered a coaching role for next season.
2010 brings the curtain down on a decorated playing career for the 33-year-old, which has seen him taste success in the Super League Grand Final on five occasions and lift the Challenge Cup seven times.
“He will be retained at the club. He’s far too valuable a personality to just release so he’ll be here in a coaching capacity next season, that’s pretty much certain,” said McManus.
“We’ve got two great hookers in James Roby and Scott Moore. They have to be given the head, and Keiron’s the first to admit that, but we’d like him to stick around.”
McManus also admitted that the club would be in the market for new players to coincide with Royce Simmons’ arrival as head coach.
“It’s fairly common knowledge that we’ll be losing a couple of players to retirement at the end of the year, and that there are six or seven contracts up for a renewal.
“Next season’s squad will be a mix of renewed contracts and a couple of new names.”
The Saints chairman also expressed his surprise at outgoing Saints boss Mick Potter’s decision to remain in Super League, after initially stating his desire to return to the NRL.
“Mick genuinely did want to go back to Australia, but then the Bulls job came up and I think that helped by paid to any uncertainty over his future as a coach, rather than wait for something that may or may not come up in the NRL.
“I think he’ll do a good job. He’s a very good coach but you are always limited to the quality of the players at your disposal.”