Profile: Mike Critchley

Mike Critchley

Senior Sports Writer

Mike is a senior sports writer and editor who specialises in covering rugby league, primarily for the St Helens Star, Leigh Journal and the Runcorn & Widnes World. With three decades of journalism experience, Mike is considered to be one of the most authoritative voices in journalism on the sport of rugby league and has had a number of books published. He has a keen passion for nostalgia and sharing fascinating sporting stories of the past. Mike also writes about a wide range of grassroots sports and other professional sports, including darts - following St Helens darters Michael Smith, Stephen Bunting and Dave Chisnall. Before joining his hometown newspaper, the St Helen Star, in 2001, Mike trained as a news and sports journalist for titles in Birmingham.

Latest articles from Mike Critchley

Frank Wilson: Saints Welsh wing who stepped into Vollenhoven's boots

Throwback Thursday Frank Wilson: Welsh wing who stepped into Vollenhoven's boots
OVER the years departing Saints legends have left big boots to fill, has any player had a tougher task than Frank Wilson?

10 St Helens shops and institutions we loved and lost

ST HELENS, like plenty of other industrial towns, has changed.

James Graham lifting the Super League trophy on his return to Saints in 2020

Jammer's role in encouraging Tristan Sailor to sign for Saints
SAINTS new arrival Tristan Sailor talks about what former players James Graham and Sia Soliola said about him signing.

New Saints recruit Tristan Sailor handed his 2025 jersey number
SAINTS recruit Tristan Sailor has been issued the number 6 jersey for the 2025 rugby league season.

Scott Gibbs scored two tries for Saints - this week 30 years ago

Saints' Welsh ace Scott Gibbs struck twice to avenge early season defeat
SAINTS had some mixed fortunes on their travels this week in time from games 30, 40, 45, 55, 60 and 70 years ago.

Tristan Sailor - spoke about Lee Briers' influence

Tristan Sailor on Saints attack, Briers influence, French and Field comparisons
TRISTAN Sailor spoke of Lee Briers' influence on joining Saints, his preferences for 1 or 6 and the comparisons with Jai Field, Bevan French and Matt Dufty.

Eamon O'Carroll - new saints assistant coach

Saints confirm new assistant coach to join Paul Wellens and Lee Briers

SAINTS have confirmed that former Bradford Bulls head coach Eamon O’Carroll is joining the club’s revamped first team coaching staff.

Kevin Ward in action for Saints at Wilderspool

THROWBACK THURSDAY Kevin Ward gave Saints the enforcer they needed in the early 90s
THERE were a few eyebrows raised when Saints coach Mike McClennan crossed the Pennines in 1990 to sign veteran prop forward Kevin Ward from Castleford.

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Mike Critchley

Latest articles from Mike Critchley

Throwback Thursday Frank Wilson: Welsh wing who stepped into Vollenhoven's boots
OVER the years departing Saints legends have left big boots to fill, has any player had a tougher task than Frank Wilson?

10 St Helens shops and institutions we loved and lost

ST HELENS, like plenty of other industrial towns, has changed.

Jammer's role in encouraging Tristan Sailor to sign for Saints
SAINTS new arrival Tristan Sailor talks about what former players James Graham and Sia Soliola said about him signing.

New Saints recruit Tristan Sailor handed his 2025 jersey number
SAINTS recruit Tristan Sailor has been issued the number 6 jersey for the 2025 rugby league season.

Saints' Welsh ace Scott Gibbs struck twice to avenge early season defeat
SAINTS had some mixed fortunes on their travels this week in time from games 30, 40, 45, 55, 60 and 70 years ago.

Tristan Sailor on Saints attack, Briers influence, French and Field comparisons
TRISTAN Sailor spoke of Lee Briers' influence on joining Saints, his preferences for 1 or 6 and the comparisons with Jai Field, Bevan French and Matt Dufty.

Saints confirm new assistant coach to join Paul Wellens and Lee Briers

SAINTS have confirmed that former Bradford Bulls head coach Eamon O’Carroll is joining the club’s revamped first team coaching staff.

THROWBACK THURSDAY Kevin Ward gave Saints the enforcer they needed in the early 90s
THERE were a few eyebrows raised when Saints coach Mike McClennan crossed the Pennines in 1990 to sign veteran prop forward Kevin Ward from Castleford.

Mike Critchley

Latest articles from Mike Critchley

Throwback Thursday Frank Wilson: Welsh wing who stepped into Vollenhoven's boots OVER the years departing Saints legends have left big boots to fill, has any player had a tougher task than Frank Wilson?

10 St Helens shops and institutions we loved and lost ST HELENS, like plenty of other industrial towns, has changed.

Jammer's role in encouraging Tristan Sailor to sign for Saints SAINTS new arrival Tristan Sailor talks about what former players James Graham and Sia Soliola said about him signing.

New Saints recruit Tristan Sailor handed his 2025 jersey number SAINTS recruit Tristan Sailor has been issued the number 6 jersey for the 2025 rugby league season.

Saints' Welsh ace Scott Gibbs struck twice to avenge early season defeat SAINTS had some mixed fortunes on their travels this week in time from games 30, 40, 45, 55, 60 and 70 years ago.

Tristan Sailor on Saints attack, Briers influence, French and Field comparisons TRISTAN Sailor spoke of Lee Briers' influence on joining Saints, his preferences for 1 or 6 and the comparisons with Jai Field, Bevan French and Matt Dufty.

Saints confirm new assistant coach to join Paul Wellens and Lee Briers SAINTS have confirmed that former Bradford Bulls head coach Eamon O’Carroll is joining the club’s revamped first team coaching staff.

THROWBACK THURSDAY Kevin Ward gave Saints the enforcer they needed in the early 90s THERE were a few eyebrows raised when Saints coach Mike McClennan crossed the Pennines in 1990 to sign veteran prop forward Kevin Ward from Castleford.

Throwback Thursday Frank Wilson: Welsh wing who stepped into Vollenhoven's boots
OVER the years departing Saints legends have left big boots to fill, has any player had a tougher task than Frank Wilson?

10 St Helens shops and institutions we loved and lost

ST HELENS, like plenty of other industrial towns, has changed.

Jammer's role in encouraging Tristan Sailor to sign for Saints
SAINTS new arrival Tristan Sailor talks about what former players James Graham and Sia Soliola said about him signing.

New Saints recruit Tristan Sailor handed his 2025 jersey number
SAINTS recruit Tristan Sailor has been issued the number 6 jersey for the 2025 rugby league season.

Saints' Welsh ace Scott Gibbs struck twice to avenge early season defeat
SAINTS had some mixed fortunes on their travels this week in time from games 30, 40, 45, 55, 60 and 70 years ago.

Tristan Sailor on Saints attack, Briers influence, French and Field comparisons
TRISTAN Sailor spoke of Lee Briers' influence on joining Saints, his preferences for 1 or 6 and the comparisons with Jai Field, Bevan French and Matt Dufty.

Saints confirm new assistant coach to join Paul Wellens and Lee Briers

SAINTS have confirmed that former Bradford Bulls head coach Eamon O’Carroll is joining the club’s revamped first team coaching staff.

THROWBACK THURSDAY Kevin Ward gave Saints the enforcer they needed in the early 90s
THERE were a few eyebrows raised when Saints coach Mike McClennan crossed the Pennines in 1990 to sign veteran prop forward Kevin Ward from Castleford.