Jon Wilkin, a former St Helens stalwart now working for Sky Sports Rugby League, said he was not shocked by the sudden dismissal of head coach Paul Rowley. The former player argued that the supporters had already signaled their displeasure, effectively "voting with their feet," during what he described as a "bizarre period" for the club. The announcement came on a Thursday morning, catching many off guard. Rowley was relieved of his duties with immediate effect, just a day before St Helens were scheduled to travel to Wigan for a high‑profile Super League derby.
The match ended in a heavy 38-16 defeat for the Saints. Rowley had already submitted his line‑up for the Wigan clash when the club terminated his contract after only nine months and 23 games in charge.
That tenure marks the briefest spell ever for a St Helens head coach and the shortest coaching stint in English rugby league in more than half a century. "I'm not surprised," Wilkin said, recalling his 16‑year playing career at the club.
"The writing was on the wall for Paul Rowley at St Helens." He pointed to the low attendance at the recent Catalans game as a clear symptom of the growing disconnect between the team and its fanbase. "The club has been under financial strain for a while, and when supporters stop turning up and openly criticize the appointment of Paul Rowley from the start of the season, you can see the warning signs," Wilkin added.
According to Wilkin, the core issues revolve around the team's substance, the composition of the squad, the style of play, and a shift away from the winning formula that had made St Helens a dominant force. He highlighted the stark drop in crowd numbers: an average of 13,000 spectators at home games in 2024 fell to about 11,000 in 2025, and the stand at the Wigan venue, which seats 5,500, was only half‑filled with roughly 1,700 fans. "When I used to play there, that stand was always packed," he recalled, emphasizing the loss of fan engagement and a perceived gap between the players and their supporters.
Wilkin continued, "If after just nine months you can't get a tune out of the players and the squad looks depleted, it's understandable that the board might think a change of coach is needed to revive playoff hopes. It's the most un‑St Helens thing I've ever said, but the club is in a strange situation." He expressed sadness at the state of the club, noting that a team that recently secured four consecutive titles now looks "desperately sad" when its stands are empty.
"They need a charismatic figure who can reignite both the fans and the squad," Wilkin argued, adding that the current decision‑making appears hasty and lacks a clear long‑term plan. Former teammate Sam Tomkins also weighed in, describing the timing as "horrendous." Tomkins said the sacking came just before a crucial match that could determine the Saints' playoff chances, leaving everyone "stumped". He speculated that the board may have felt the team was heading in the wrong direction, despite sitting in sixth place, and hoped a new coach would spark an immediate improvement. Tomkins noted that coaching changes can sometimes produce a quick response from players, but he warned that it is a gamble, especially given the abruptness of the move.
"I thought Paul Rowley would have a little more time. The Saints have been inconsistent this season, and I doubt any top‑level coach would voluntarily quit after only 20 weeks. It must have been a mutual decision," he said. Both Wilkin and Tomkins agreed that St Helens have a strong tradition of making the playoffs and have never missed out before.
The fear now is that the club could slip out of contention if the upheaval does not translate into better results on the field. In summary, the consensus among former players is that the dismissal, while shocking in its timing, was perhaps inevitable given dwindling attendances, financial pressures, and a perceived decline in on‑field performance. The club hopes that a fresh coaching appointment will restore the connection with its fanbase, improve results, and bring back the excitement that once filled the stands at Knowsley Road and the new stadium alike.
The broader Super League schedule will continue to be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with two matches each round shown exclusively live and the remaining five matches aired throughout the week.