St Helens ground move

St. Helens expect to be settled in a new stadium by the end of 2001. Shareholders gave their overwhelming backing at an extra-ordinary general meeting on Wednesday for plans to build a 20,000 capacity, ú11m stadium. The 10 acre site chosen for the complex is the old UGB works on land just off the St. Helens Linkway between the M62 and the town centre. Howard Morris, the St. Helens chairman, said: "It's a marvellous opportunity for the club to take a giant step forward. "We would have been foolish to turn down this chance. It is sad to leave Knowsley Road but more grant aid is available by moving to a new site. We will own the ground with the council providing the land free of charge. "The council have been magnificent but their total stake in the company will be no more than 15 percent. We have been talking with Liverpool-St. Helens RU, St. Helens Town FC and the local boxing club about sharing the facilities but they would not be part owners." Morris also dismissed any possibility of athletics being involved in the scheme. "There will definitely be no running track round the pitch," assured Morris. Half the money will be provided by grant aid with Saints already having a ú2.5m offer on the table from a housing developer for Knowsley Road. The stadium will also include a 1,000 seat conference centre, corporate dining, a childrens club, pub and club shop. Morris added: "The cost of maintaining Knowsley Road is rising steeply each year and it would be fatal to hesitate with this exciting scheme." Reserve games and training could be staged at a redeveloped Liverpool-St. Helens RU ground to ease pressure on the new pitch. St. Helens have played at Knowsley Road since 1890 but Morris added: "We cannot afford to be too sentimental and get left behind when our rivals are playing in ultra-modern stadia." For further information please contact St Helens Press Office: Tel: +44 1744 236 97 Fax: +44 1744 451 302 Website: www.saints.uk.com