In the summer of 2009 St Helens Town received email correspondence from Oxfordshire based, Peter Long who had purchased a framed and glazed sampler (a framed tapestry image created using different types of stitches) at an auction.

On removing his purchase from the frame Peter discovered it was backed by a pristine photograph of ‘St. Helens United FC’, showing the team and committee members from the early part of the twentieth century. Peter’s email to Club Secretary Jeff Voller described the photograph in detail, naming players, backroom staff and committee, outlining the player’s kit and the medals/plaque being held by the team captain.

Following a brief email conversation the photograph duly arrived in the post and Town Chairman John McKiernan set about investigating any connection with the club.

‘After a few hours on the internet it became obvious that the photograph was not a predecessor of the current St. Helens Town. The work being undertaken by club officials on the history of the original club (1901-1928) had me thinking another club may have been formed around the same time but it was not to be.’

‘I’ve manage to track the photograph to the 1919 season, and the team is in fact West Auckland Town FC of the Northern League who for a solitary season changed their name to ‘St. Helens United FC’ the team being based in an area of County Durham called St. Helen Auckland.’

The club is famous for its 'World Cup' exploits which saw 'West' win the Sir Thomas Lipton trophy outright after a second trip to Italy in 1911 although this also caused them extreme financial problems and resulted in the club being disbanded in 1912 and the 'World Cup' being sold to pay off debts.

John McKiernan added, ‘There appears to be at least one remaining connection between the ‘World Cup’ winning side of 1911 and the 1919 St. Helens United photograph as both teams contained player J Rewcastle.’

Town have since been in touch with West Auckland Town FC and have arranged for the photograph to make its way back to them.

West Auckland’s Commercial Manager Michael Bainbridge was delighted to hear the news and said, ‘I haven’t seen many images from around this time so it will be an excellent addition to our collection. Many thanks for undertaking the research and getting in touch.’