World class rugby stadium would be great for our town's economic growth (From Warrington Guardian)

World class rugby stadium would be great for our town's economic growth

I RECENTLY went to the 'Halliwell Jones' stadium in Warrington and I was really impressed with the quality of the facilities and the pleasant and professional attitude of the staff.

On the way back, I had occasion to call at Knowsley Road where the staff are equally pleasant and engaging but by comparison, their facilities are primitive.

I have been a fanatical Saints supporter now for over fifty years and have enjoyed some fantastic occasions at this great old ground, but quite frankly, it is time to call it a day and move on. Let's have no over-sentimental fudging of the issue - we have all had some superb experiences there but what we do not want is to have to make do with an 'ersatz' patched-up Heath Robinson type of ground with archaic facilities - there isn't enough 'sticking plaster' to do the job! And our world class team deserves the best.

Shortly after this visit to Warrington, I had a lot of electioneering pamphlets drop onto my hall mat and one of these informed me that we have 'a really first class council' - with certificates to prove it. They are, so we are told, 'top of the league' as far as local authorities are concerned - but to quote one of the Saints popular side chants, "Top of the league? Yer 'avvin a laff!" I don't know what planet the bestowers of this particular accolade are from - it is certainly not this one.

Prize asset

Even though I have been a confirmed Labour man for over sixty years, I promptly binned these pamphlets, and decided that I would NOT be voting in the recent elections - not unless that is, our highly competent Council showed some evidence that they really do recognise what a prize asset Saints are and that they are actually doing something to help provide a suitable stadium, - until then I suspect I won't be the only one to have binned the election forms.

We get the occasional conciliatory noises saying that the matter is in hand and negotiations with suitable backers are in an advanced state! However, there is never any concrete evidence shown. Critics linked these encouraging noises with pre-election propaganda.

I sincerely hope the critics are wrong and our Council do actually do something meaningful and positive. If lesser councils like Warrington, Widnes, Leigh, Salford and Wigan can all come up with something positive in this particular area, it should not be beyond our Award Winning Council to come up with the goods.

It would be great to be able to invite visitors to St Helens - to be entertained by a World Class rugby team in a World Class stadium. It has to be a positive for the economic growth of the town.

Come on 'U' Council - we know it is not solely down to you to provide the total solution by you could, at least, show us some positive effort - Do your bit - sooner rather than later. We live in hope!

SAINTS Fan, (name and address supplied)