Book description
PAUL SCULTHORPE is the man who was born to be a superstar.
Touted as a future Great Britain skipper before he even played his
first game as a professional, he has more than lived up to the billing
over the ensuing years.
The only player to ever be named Man of Steel in successive years,
the St Helens captain is arguably the most talented man to grace a
rugby league field in modern times. Yet Sculthorpe did not always have
his sights set on Challenge Cup and Grand Final glory. As a youngster
he spent his time booting a football around with brother Lee - and
actually had to be forced into playing his first game of rugby.
From that moment a star was born, as he went on to captain every
side he represented, even though he was often playing a year above his
age group.
Warrington were the first to spot that potential, snapping him up on
schoolboy terms, and helping shape the greatest player in Super League
history. When he went hunting a bigger stage, St Helens had no
hesitation paying a world record £370,000 - a transfer fee that
quickly looked a bargain.
Since then various rugby union clubs have sounded out the chances of
tempting him into a code switch, while the biggest names in Australia
would love to take the prize Pom Down Under.
Throughout it all Scully has stayed true to his roots, even though
that loyalty was sorely tested when knee injuries led to a whispering
campaign that he was finished.
Now Sculthorpe lifts the lid on a remarkable career. The highs and
the lows; the friendships and the fall-outs; and where he feels his
future REALLY lies. It's a no-holds barred account of one man's
incredible rise to the top - and the steely determination which keeps
him there.
Paul Sculthorpe is the captain of Saint Helens, the reigning BBC
Sports Personality Team of the Year,
and Great Britain Rugby League. He is twice winner of the
prestigious Man of Steel award in Rugby League -- the only player to
have achieved this feat in successive years. Born on 22nd September
1977, he lives in Billinge.
