St Helens legend James Roby has been inducted into Hall of Fame, breaking with tradition for the ‘G,O.A.T’

St Helens legend James Roby was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame last night, having retired at the end of the previous season, with tradition broken in his honor.

Typically, the Saints’ Players’ Association, which selects the legends inducted into the Hall of Fame, will wait a number of years after a player’s retirement before inducting them.

However, ‘given Roby’s exceptional service to the Saints,’ the 37-year-old had to wait only a few weeks after hanging up his boots before being inducted at the club’s 150th Year Celebration Dinner.

Roby, dubbed ‘The Greatest of All Time’ (GOAT) by the Red V and many others, was presented with a special award on stage at the dinner, with chairman Eamonn McManus and another legendary figure in Harry Pinner making the presentation.

After a glittering career, St Helens induct James Roby into the club’s Hall of Fame.

The Whiston-born star made his debut against Widnes Vikings in March 2004 as a fresh-faced 18-year-old, wearing heritage number #1136.

In the 19 years and seven months that followed, he would make 550 more appearances for the Saints, winning everything there is to win – six Super League titles, eight League Leaders’ Shields, four Challenge Cups, and two World Club Challenges.

By doing so, the hooker broke the club’s appearance record, passing 47-year holder Ken Colsett when he took the field against Salford Red Devils in May 2023.

He also holds the record for the most Super League appearances, surpassing Leeds Rhinos legend Kevin Sinfield OBE in June 2022 and commemorating the occasion with a try in a win over Hull KR.

On the international stage, the hometown hero appeared 43 times for England and Great Britain, including three World Cups.

As a testament to how much he valued his time at Saints, he turned down the chance to end his career in an England shirt at last year’s postponed World Cup in order to play one more game for his club.

Roby joins the Red V’s Hall Of Fame alongside Colsett, Billy Benyon, Alex Murphy, and South African speedster Tom van Vollenhoven.