SAINTS' first team squad were put through their paces on the gruelling Knowsley Safari Park ropes course.

The players enjoyed the day, with some natural climbers among the squad but others were left to confront their fear of heights from 50 ft up in the air.

The decision to take the squad on the course was twofold. Firstly, Knowley Safari Park has been unveiled as Saints second official partner for 2008.

And from a playing perspective, the hour and half session on the ropes was a useful team bonding training exercise.

The players were guided along under the expert supervision of Joe Leaper and Nick Church-Burton, and coach Daniel Anderson was delighted the afternoon's session.

He said: "It really is an excellent facility up there. It not only bonded the team, it also provided a bit of variety to our off-season training. The players got plenty out of it.

"Obviously it suited some more than others - and the likes of Sean Long and Chris Flannery are 'natural monkeys' when it came to clambering up the wall."

Prop Nick Fozzard was last to venture onto the circuit - and he was one player who had to combat his fear of heights for the afternoon.

"I am not mad on heights - I remember climbing a tall pyramid on holiday in Mexico eight years ago, which was not the best experience.

"But I got myself geed up for this one. It was a really good exercise and because you are clinging on and tense for an hour and half it really does help build your core stability muscles," said the Saints prop.

As well as realising some excellent and exciting marketing opportunities between the two premier leisure destinations, the alliance will also see Knowsley Safari Park's logo appearing on the club's playing kit.