Saints and Pilkington Activ march on to Wembley
07 August 2007St Helens 'Saints' have fought their way to an historic Carnegie Challenge Cup Final, the first to be played at the new Wembley stadium, and will carry the Pilkington Activ™ brand on their classic Red-V shirts.
Saints beat fellow Rugby Super League team Bradford Bulls in a stunning semi-final at Huddersfield’s Galpharm Stadium in a stunning victory under the sun in direct contrast to the beating taken from the Bulls just two weeks earlier in a rain-soaked quagmire. The 14-35 victory was a powerful and clinical display by Saints that saw attack and defence in form that left Bulls without much in reply.
Saints will play French side Catalan Dragons on 25th August in a Wembley match that will be spiced by an element of International rivalry, with the Pilkington Activ™ brand being carried forth into a battle that will be watched by millions as Saints defend their title and enter their fifth Cup Final appearance in just eight years.
The appearance at Wembley means that Pilkington’s decision to back Saints when the team’s former main sponsor went out of business will have paid off handsomely, with high hopes that Saints will go on to make another appearance in the Engage Super League Cup Final to be played at Old Trafford in October. The sponsorship means that the Pilkington Activ™ brand will once again receive a run-out in front of what is expected to be a capacity crowd at the match, and millions watching on television.
Pilkington Marketing Communications Manager Julia Berkin says that the excitement at Pilkington’s St Helens head office is palpable: “A huge number of Pilkington staff are Saints fans and even those not so committed are now really excited about the Wembley final and the prospect of more glory if the team continues to do well in the Super League. The history between Pilkington and Saints goes back more than a century and we are very pleased to be associated with the club as they make history at Wembley.”