ST HELENS will say farewell to one of their greatest stalwarts at the end of the season when academy coach Derek Traynor retires.
Traynor, 66, has worked within Saints’ youth programme since 1995 and led the academy team since 2005.
He has had a key role in the development of current stars including Jack Welsby, Matty Lees, Jonny Lomax and Mark Percival, and coached former favourites such as Morgan Knowles, Luke Thompson, Tommy Makinson and Matty Smith.
As such, club chairman Eamonn McManus believes Traynor has had a significant role in the first-team success enjoyed by Saints over the summer era including a record ten Super League titles.
“I would like to thank Derek profusely for his efforts and achievements with our academy teams over the last 30 or so years,” said McManus.
“He has been a major contributor to its success, and in turn, the academy has been a major contributor to our first team’s remarkable success during that period.
“Its standards have consistently been at the highest level, and it has produced some of the greatest players of the modern era.
“Our youth policy is a defining facet of our club, and Derek has been at the epicentre of its evolution and success.”
Traynor, whose most recent graduates to the first team include Harry Robertson, said: “Age catches up with all of us!
“Over the years, I’ve often put work, the club and the players ahead of them, so it’s time to pay them back and put them firmly first.
“I will always be a Saints fan. I want to see players like Harry Robertson play at Wembley, and I want to see Owen Dagnall and George Whitby playing in Grand Finals.
“When you’ve helped develop players, you want to see them succeed, and I’m sure I’ll be watching the club enjoy success for many years to come.”