Former St Helens man makes move to return to boyhood club

An ex-St Helens forward has made a return to his former club after a brief stint away from the game following his Red Vee exit.

Second-row forward McKenzie Buckley was one of several players to leave St Helens at the end of the 2024 season after the expiration of contracts, however, he quickly signed a deal in the Championship.

Buckley, who played just once for St Helens when he made his debut back in 2022, signed a deal with Widnes Vikings as part of Allan Coleman’s team for 2025.

However, just a month after penning a deal with the Vikings, Widnes confirmed Buckley’s exit with the youngster being granted a release from his contract.

A club statement back in December revealed that Widnes had agreed to a request to release the young forward, but three months down the line it has been confirmed that he made the return to his boyhood club Thatto Heath Crusaders.

Who is ex-St Helens man McKenzie Buckley?

𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐆𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 – 𝐌𝐜𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐢𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞𝐲

After a stint playing professional at @saints1890 he’s returned back to us here at Thatto Heath Crusaders.

𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐜𝐊𝐞𝐧𝐳𝐢𝐞 ⚫️🔴 pic.twitter.com/ggonujeAG7

— Thatto Heath Crusaders (@ThattoRugby) March 27, 2025

Thatto Heath, one of the sport’s leading amateur clubs, took to social media to confirm the return of their former forward with Buckley thrust straight into the mix and named for the Crusaders’ game against Salford City Roosters on Friday night.

Buckley has slotted straight into the second-row with the St Helens-born man making his long-awaited return after leaving Widnes back in December.

His debut for the Red Vee came all the way back in April 2022, almost three years ago, with Buckley part of a side that lost 30-10 to Castleford Tigers. His other appearances donning the famous Red Vee would come when playing for the Reserves with Buckley part of the side that won the Reserves Championship in 2024.

He also spent time on loan with North Wales Crusaders and Whitehaven on loan in 2023 and 2024 before making his move to Widnes, which ultimately saw him depart after just a month.

Posting on X, Thatto Heath announced his return, stating: “After a sting playing professional at @saints1890 he’s returned back to us here at Thatto Heath Crusaders. Welcome home McKenzie.”