ANOTHER link with the star-studded Saints team of the 1950s has been broken with the death of a Test flyer who cost the club a record transfer fee.

Former winger Stan McCormick, aged 77, of Paisley Avenue, Blackbrook, died in Delamere House nursing home, Sutton, on Monday, after being ill for several years.

He leaves Doris, his wife of 52 years, daughter Janice and son-in-law Derek, grandson Adam, grand-daughter Emma and great-grandson Liam.

Born in Oldham, Stan played for Lancashire Schoolboys; served in the Fleet Air Arm in the second world war, reaching petty officer rank at the age of 21; and on demob won the Powderhall Sprint in 1947 before joining Belle Vue Rangers.

A lithe 5ft 9in and 11 stone, master of the interception and sidestep, McCormick was selected for all three Tests against Australia in 1948 in which he scored three tries, and was also awarded many England and Lancashire caps. Saints paid Rangers £4,000 for Stan in January, 1949, and he scored two long-distance efforts on his winning debut at Hunslet, earning him the nickname 'Twinkletoes' from the Knowsley Road faithful.

Mercurial Mac made 161 appearances for Saints in which he scored 99 tries and kicked two goals. He also earned Championship and Lancashire Cup medals, and was in the side defeated by Huddersfield at Wembley in 1953.

Stan joined Warrington in 1954, with whom he figured in the 4-4 draw against Halifax and played in the replay at Odsal before a world record gate of 102,569, when the Wires won 8-4. He hung up his boots while with Liverpool City.

McCormick coached Saints from 1962-64, and is a member of the club's Hall of Fame. He and Doris later owned a grocer's shop in Haresfinch Road.

The funeral will take place at St Paul's Church, Chain Lane, on Friday, at 3pm.

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