Saints push for new stadium

After many years of talk, St Helens vision of a new home is still far from becoming a reality, despite plans being drawn up for a brand new 18,000 capacity home last year.


The Independent Saints Supporters Association (ISSA) have now put the matter at the top of their priorities list as the World Club Champions look to vacate their Knowlsey Road ground and move to e venue that not only befits a team of Champions, but one that will actually meet 2009's ground criteria.

ISSA's campaign is bourne out of sheer frustration at the apparent apathy of the local council to put the issue further up the agenda and it seems somewhat unusual that a local council would be lacking in support for the only symbol, barring a fat comedian, that puts the town on the map.

Knowsley Road will hold some fantastic memories of St Helens fans as well as those that have enjoyed fantastic away days at the ground. But sport is about progress and Knowsley Road is simply not in a position to provide the sustained support that is needed in modern sport.

More information about the campaign can be found here.

Grounds for Celebration

With 2009 just over three years away and deadline day for Super League franchises fast approaching, clubs are eagerly sprucing up their grounds or upping sticks altogether.

Last week, Salford City Reds finally saw an end to their long-running planning saga as a Government equiry finally granted permission for the club to move to the 20,000 capacity City of Salford Stadium at Barton.
The £130m project next to the M60 wil include retail units a hotel and resteraunt, will finally allow Salford to move away from the notorious Weaste area which is often bemoaned by visiting supporters who have been witness to vandalised property and assaults on supporters by local youths.
Invariably, the Salford club and their supporters were unfairly tarred with the same brush as the local dellinquents and this stadium will go a long way to restoring their reputation amongst supporters.

Some 70 miles away in Doncaster, the Dragons are all set to move into their new home, the Lakeside Stadium.
The 15,000 seater facility, which will be shared with Doncaster Rovers FC, will give South Yorkshire a geniune Rugby League stadium and will certainly be the envy of the National Leagues and possible even in 2009, Super League.

Not only that, but both venues are further possibilities for RFL events. Hopefully well no longer see Challenge Cup semi-finals at Odsal.

With Castleford and St Helens both pushing plans for new grounds forward, Leeds and Bradford undertaking refurbishments of their homes, the future looks much more comfortable for a Rugby supporter.

But whilst the story may be a possitive one, it serves as a stark reminder to other clubs to get their act together. With clubs outside the elite showing progress, the less progressive in Super League need to get their act together or risk being left behind.