8:30pm Saturday 17th May 2008
By St Helens Star newsdesk
HUNDREDS of Saints supporters marched from St Helens town centre to Knowsley Road on Saturday afternoon to demonstrate backing for the rugby league club's proposed new stadium.
The army of fans gathered outside St Helens Town Hall on Victoria Square shortly before 4pm and then staged the show of support by trooping up to Knowsley Road.
Many youngsters and their parents were among the crowds calling for the stadium planning application to be approved at local level by councillors on Tuesday evening (May 20).
During the peaceful march along Corporation Street, Duke Street, Boundary Road, Knowsley Road and Dunriding Lane - which was directed by mounted police - dozens of fans carried placards and banners.
Some displayed messages such as 'Super stadium for Super Saints' and 'MPs and councillors we want our new stadium now'.
Others were critical of supermarket chain Morrisons, which is objecting to plans for a Tesco Extra to be built alongside a £25m stadium at the former United Glass site, at Peasley Cross.
Joining the marchers were Saints chairman Eamonn McManus, chief executive Tony Colquitt, St Helens North MP Dave Watts, St Helens Council leader Brian Spencer and a contingent of councillors.
The event, organised by Saints fans group Supporters Backing the Stadium (SBS), was staged prior to the match against Catalans Dragons, which Saints won 28-10.
Before the game supporters in the main stand held aloft cards that spelled out 'Vote yes', a message to councillors ahead of Tuesday's planning committee meeting.
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