THE Grand Final defeat at the hands of Wigan was a disappointing end to a long season for St Helens.

It was a fair result both on the teams’ performances on the night and on the way the season went, after Wigan finished top of the league table.

But it was still hard on St Helens, who have now lost the last four Grand Finals. At the start of the season there were worries that the squad wasn’t experienced and strong enough to win trophies, and so it proved.

However they have brought through a number of young players who could provide the core of the team for the next few years and that is extremely good news, especially after losing the likes of Paul Sculthorpe, Sean Long and now Keiron Cunningham, as well as several other less well-known but still important players in the last couple of years.

The transition period must continue for a while longer yet, as next season sees them play at Widnes Vikings’ home ground, Stobart Stadium Halton, before moving in to their new stadium in the town.

There will also be a new coach, Royce Simmons, who comes with a great reputation but is untested as a head coach at the highest level, with the job of meeting the fans’ high expectations.

It is the first time in the 15 years of Super League that St Helens have finished without silverware in two consecutive seasons. Everyone at the club will be desperate that it doesn’t become three.