BIRTHDAY boy Bobbie Goulding will put contractual differences aside as he leads Saints into Challenge Cup action against Wigan at Knowsley Road on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

Test star Bobbie, who was 25 on Tuesday, told a packed press conference at the ground on the same day: "Although I have submitted a written transfer request I shall be completely committed to beating Wigan, as will the rest of the lads.

"Everyone at Knowsley Road is really keyed up for the game, training has been particularly intense and Saints will be giving it 110 per cent against Wigan.

"However, I agree that Saints will be looking for an improvement on their performance against Leeds, but we have home advantage; we seem to play better on television and are ready for the big challenge."

Saints have announced that the original all-ticket ruling has been scrapped, so it will be possible to pay at the turnstile, while a few stand tickets remained unsold as the Star went to press.

Saints' coach Shaun McRae will finalise his line-up tomorrow, Friday, while the Wigan team is expected to be: Murray; Robinson, Tuigamala, Connolly, Radlinski; Paul, Edwards; Cowie, Cassidy, O'Connor, Holgate, Lester, Farrell. Substitutes from Wright, Haughton, Hall, Barrow, A. Johnson, Long.

The referee is Russell Smith of Castleford, and the complete match will be televised on BBC Grandstand followed by highlights on the Sky Channel on Saturday night.

A collection will be taken in aid of the St. Helens Schoolboys' Wembley trip.

The draw for the fifth round of the Challenge Cup will be made live on the BBC Look North programme on Monday at 6.55pm. The Alliance team open their season tonight, Thursday, when they travel to Stalybridge FC to face Oldham in a first round Challenge Cup tie, kick-off 7.30pm.

Alliance utility forward Richard Sheil has been transferred-listed at £10,000 in order that he might have more chance of first-team football.

Academy coach Nick Halifahi takes his side to Ireland this weekend for games against Bangor Vikings on Friday, and versus a President's Select team in Dublin on Sunday.

Sponsorship has been provided by Ian Luck, of Euromart, Wigan.

A Sportsman's Dinner in aid of the Gus O'Donnell kidney machine fund will be held at Stakis Hotel, St. Helens, on Friday, April 25. Speaker is Steve Kindon and tickets, price £17.50, may be obtained from Jimmy O'Sullivan on St. Helens 28148.

Several former team-mates attended the surprise 65th birthday party for ex-Saints' and Great Britain hooker Bob Dagnall, which was held at Greenall's Social Club on Friday.

Rochdale-based 'Club Strength,' who are Saints' official tour agents for this season's trips to Paris and Australia, will hold a video presentation evening at Knowsley Road on Wednesday, February 19, at 7.30pm

The club annual general meeting will be held in the banqueting room at Knowsley Road on Monday, March 10, at 7.15pm.

The next meeting of the Junior Saints' club will be held in the cabaret room on Monday, March 3, at 6.15pm. Further details from Aunty Freda on St. Helens 602253.

Answer to correspondent Keith Burrows, of Pocket NooK: Saints defeated Wigan 12-6 in the first Challenge Cup Final clash between the sides at Wembley in 1961. Tom Van Vollenhoven and Alex Murphy scored tries and Austin Rhodes kicked three goals for Saints while Fred Griffiths landed three penalties for Wigan.

Saints: Rhodes; Vollenhoven, Large, McGinn, Sullivan; Murphy, Smith; Terry, Dagnall, Watson, Vines, Huddart, Karalius (captain).

Wigan: Griffiths; Boston, Ashton (captain), Bootle, Carlton; Bolton, Entwistle; Barton, Sayer, McTigue, Collier, Lyon, Evans.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.