Cunningham retained by Saints

St Helens captain Keiron Cunningham has agreed a 12-month contract with the club. nnCunningham, 31, had considered retirement but today gave his commitment to play one more season.nnThe former Wales and Great Britain hooker is Saints’ longest-serving player and will lead them in both his and the club’s sixth Grand Final against Leeds at Old Trafford on Saturday.nn”I spoke to the chairman and Tony Colquitt earlier in the year about going around again and I said I would consider it if I felt I was in good enough condition towards the end of the season.nn”I didn’t want to get to a point were I was just dragging myself around a field.nn”But my form has been good this year and I feel I can carry on for another season. I am excited about the challenges that a new coach and new players will bring to the club.”nnSt Helens chairman Eamonn McManus said: “We are all delighted that Keiron will be staying with us for another season at least.nn”He has been Super League‘s outstanding player for more than a decade and his influence on the club and the game cannot be overstated.nn”He epitomises the club – he is an out-and-out winner but handles it with modesty and dignity.”nnSaturday’s final will mark the end of an era at St Helens, with coach Daniel Anderson and fitness expert Apollo Perelini leaving the club, whilst Willie Talau and Nick Fozzard will play their last games. Paul Sculthorpe and Mick Bennett have already hung up their boots due to injury.nnBut Cunningham will now add to his staggering total of 436 appearances, which have included 163 tries.nnHe has been named in the Super League Dream Team seven times, and the club will personify his career by erecting a bronze statue of him outside their planned new stadium.