Stadium will secure Saints' future

10:00am Thursday 28th June 2007

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SAINTS chairman Eamonn McManus believes the move into a new 18,000 capacity stadium in 2010 will secure the club's future on and off the field.

Although the men in the red vee have been the undisputed cup kings of the summer era - winning both the Challenge Cup and Super League five times since 1996 - the condition of their outmoded Knowsley Road ground has cast a dark shadow over those achievements.

More worryingly than that, had concrete plans not been presented, Saints could have been carved out of the 14-club Super League franchise system, which comes on line in 2009.

With that in mind, discussions had already taken place between the club and the RFL with regards to Saints' plans for a new ground.

McManus said: "With the new franchising system coming up having plans for a new stadium is critical.

"One of the major determinants in the issue of the franchises - which has already gone through a pre selection process - and will see a definitive process start in the next few months - is having a new stadium or having actual evidence that we will be getting a new stadium in the not too distant future.

"So if we weren't actually lodging the planning application during the course of this year then it would certainly have been prejudiced. As it is, this will obviously help our application."

A move away from their Knowsley Road home of 116 years is essential. Not only has the antiquated ground been subject of derision from visiting fans and media men, but home followers too have been voting with their feet and consequently crowd support has failed to match on field achievements.

So despite winning every trophy available in the last 12-months, sitting at the top of Super League and being one step away from Wembley, the team is watched by fewer supporters than rivals Wigan, Warrington, Leeds, Hull and Bradford.

"There is always a doubt in people's mind that if we don't move how long will the club last for?' So, it's always in the background.

"I would like to think that once we move into a new stadium - obviously it secures our future both financially and sporting wise - and in addition to coming to the best team in the game players will also be coming to the best playing facility in the game and so that is an added incentive," McManus added.

Today's announcement could not have been better timed, with Saints facing some top-notch league and cup fixtures in July which will make or break their season. The news will make all involved with the club walk with a collective spring in their steps.

The new ground at the derelict 46-acre United Glass site will also give the club a long-term boost across the board.

McManus added: "Having a new stadium helps with everything, every single line of revenue will substantially benefit and costs will reduce, so the commercial benefit to the club mean it will go from a year to year existence to something with a long-term future.

"It has pretty much consumed our lives - there has been a rugby club in the background and a stadium in the foreground. A huge amount of work has gone on and it has involved a lot of trust and patience in terms of the individuals involved.

"There is still an awful lot of work to be done but once you have raised the finance and planning is in place you are looking at a timeline rather than this nebulous mass of trying to pull all the pieces together," McManus said.