Paul Sculthorpe

Paul Sculthorpe MBE (born 22 September 1977 in Burnley, Lancashire), is an English retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain international representative stand-off half back or loose forward, he began his career at Warrington before joining St. Helens, with whom he won a total of four Grand Finals, three Challenge Cups and two World Club Challenges, as well as becoming the first (and currently only) player to win the Man of Steel Award on two consecutive occasions. He is the older brother of former player Danny Sculthorpe.

Early years

Sculthorpe grew up in Oldham. Educated at Counthill School, he started his professional career with Warrington as a 20-year-old, and shortly after that made his debut for England.

In 1996, his debut year, he was named in the Super League Dream Team and in the post season he went on the 1996 Great Britain Lions tour of Oceania.

Sculthorpe moved to St Helens in 1997 for £300,000, at the time a record transfer fee for a forward (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £516,500 in 2013).