Paul Sculthorpe - Sculthorpe: Man of Steel

Contents

About the Book

PAUL SCULTHORPE is the man who was born to be a superstar. Touted as a future Great Britain skipper before he even played his first game as a professional, he has more than lived up to the billing over the ensuing years.

The only player to ever be named Man of Steel in successive years, the St Helens captain is arguably the most talented man to grace a rugby league field in modern times.

From his early days at Warrington, who snapped him up on schoolboy terms and helped shape the greatest player in Super League history, through to his world record transfer to St Helens and his extraordinary championship and Challenge Cup successes, Sculthorpe has been at the summit of his profession for more than a decade.

Now Sculthorpe reveals the truth behind a remarkable career. The highs and the lows; the friendships and the fall-outs. Its a no-holds barred account of one mans incredible rise to the top and the steely determination which keeps him there.

About the Author

Paul Sculthorpe is the captain of Saint Helens, the reigning BBC Sports Personality Team of the Year, and Great Britain Rugby League. He is twice winner of the prestigious Man of Steel award in Rugby League the only player to have achieved this feat in successive years. Born on 22nd September 1977, he lives in Billinge.

Phil Thomas has worked as a sports writer for The Sun for over a decade. After starting out purely as a Rugby League reporter, he has also spent the past four seasons covering Liverpool and Everton football clubs. Given a 100-fold increase in ability, fitness, courage, dedication and a lucky break or two, he, too, could have possibly been a professional sportsman. He lives in Warrington with girlfriend Paula and dog Bud, and has one daughter, Hannah.

Dedication

To Lindsay: For staying by me through thick and thin. I dont know what Ive done to deserve you. I will never be able to thank you enough.

To Mum and Dad: For all the support and loving. If I can do half the job you did with my kids, I know Ill have raised them well.

To Jake and Lucy-Jo: You are my world. For making the darkest days seem sunny and for leaving me with a constant smile on my face.

To Danny and Lee: I told you all those games of knee rugby in the lounge would pay off. Maybe thats what caused my injuries!

To Ian and Eileen: They say you cant choose your relatives. If you could, I would have picked you two.

To Lisa: I grew up with two brothers, but have had a sister ever since I met you.

To Paula: For the endless support, reassurance and help and especially for putting up with all those bad moods!

To Mum and Dad: For all the advice, backing and belief and the hours of checking the facts!

To Hannah: For being the most fantastic daughter any dad could ever wish for.

Foreword
By Eric Ashton

Former St Helens champion

Of all the memories I have of St Helens double-winning season of 1996, one of the brightest was a moment of sheer class against us the moment which convinced me we simply had to sign Paul Sculthorpe.

In May of that year we won a spectacular game 25-24 at Warrington, but it was Pauls all-round display and one superb piece of skill which left a lasting impression. He came away from the back of a scrum deep in his own half, took a defender with him, and then turned the ball inside to send winger Richard Henare racing away for a long-range try.

At the time Paul was still a teenager, yet playing with so much maturity. I have never seen anyone so outstanding. We made inquiries as soon as possible, and Warrington told us they would not take less than 250,000. In the end he cost another 100,000 on top, but what a signing!

I spoke to an agent and asked him if he knew of any club looking for a couple of players who we were prepared to let go. He came back to me and asked who we would sell to Hull.

Alan Hunte wanted to leave at that time, and he was joined by Simon Booth, who was going to university over there, and Steve Prescott left as well. Those sales brought in 350,000 and that went straight to Warrington for Paul and I never had any doubt about the decision, even though some of our directors questioned why we had spent so much.

It is true that he did take time to settle in, but I had no doubts once that period was over that he would be worth every penny and more.

Paul is big, he is powerful, he is dominant and he has a presence about him. He is so gifted, has good hands, and is so nicely balanced. Then there is the bonus of his kicking game, for field position or goal kicking. Both are top class.

All that before you come to his leadership qualities, which are tremendous as well. He can tell people in his way, a nice way, to get the players to do things. Everything seems to revolve around him. I hear the players say, Scully said this, Scully said that. The players respect him.

When he won the Man of Steel two years running everyone could witness what a great player Paul had become and off the field he is such a marvellous ambassador for the sport.

There was one time when we needed someone at very short notice to be available at a major supermarket in Prescot, where a car was being raffled. I phoned Paul; it was not a problem. He went to the supermarket and was friendly, approachable and helpful. And he never asked for a penny.

He is the complete player in all respects I have signed plenty of players for St Helens over the years and Paul Sculthorpe goes down as one of the best.

Introduction
By Ricky The Hitman Hatton

IBF and IBO world light-welterweight boxing champion

A lot of people call boxing the toughest sport in the world, and after some of the bruises Ive woken up with over the years Im not about to disagree.

But if there is anything to push it close, its rugby league and I am speaking with a bit of experience there, as well.

Dont get me wrong: Ive never been in the middle of a scrum with some big prop forward trying to rearrange my ears. Im not that stupid, despite what Scully may tell you.

My experience of exactly how tough these guys really are came when Scully visited my gym for a sparring session a couple of years ago. Fair enough, it was pretty much a staged event for a TV feature of some kind, but I still got enough of a taste to realise how hard these blokes are.

There were never going to be any serious punches thrown would you fancy someone of his size catching you round the head? but it was still quite a vigorous workout. Certainly more than I expected, anyway.

And although it was only knockabout stuff, it was obvious how fit these lads really are. I know Scully has a close interest in boxing, and from the way he handled himself its not just from watching the odd match on the telly either.

Everyone knows Im a big Manchester City fan, and, aside from boxing, my great love is football and particularly watching them. But I think most sportsmen take an interest in most sports its just in the nature and so I knew about Scullys exploits even before we met.

I must admit, though, that ever since he was swinging punches at me Ive followed his career that little bit closer than anyone elses, and I was cheering as loudly as anyone when he came back from his injury at the start of the season.

When youre as active as Scully, not being able to play must have been hell for him, and I take my hat off to him for the way he kept at it, refused to give in and came back in such brilliant fashion.

Simply getting back on to the field was an achievement in itself, but to do it in the way he did was mind-blowing in the World Club Challenge, against the top Aussie side, the Brisbane Broncos, who were at full strength, and not having played a serious game for six months. You wouldnt have thought it possible.