Rugby fans take to the streets to show support for plans for new stadium in St Helens

May 19 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

THE Saints fans went marching over the weekend, to show their support for the new stadium plans.

More than 1,000 people gathered on Saturday afternoon with flags and banners to join what was dubbed “the march for progress”, organised by Supporters Backing the Stadium, a collective of a number of fan groups.

Starting at the town hall, the procession made its way to the team’s ground on Knowsley Road, 25 minutes away.

Upon reaching the destination the crowd was addressed by St Helens RLFC chairman Eamonn McManus, David Watts MP, and council leader Brian Spencer, who all thanked fans for taking part and pledged their support for the towns redevelopment plans, including the new stadium.

Mark Donaldson, one of the organisers of the march, said: “The fans feel very strongly on this, and that’s why we have come together to form a committee to publicise and demand that these proposals go through.

“We need to get the new stadium and move to a new ground that’s modern and has the facilities required.

“We formed because we wanted answers to what was holding things back.

“The aim of the march was to raise publicity to show the town’s support for the redevelopment.”