Delight after a decade of waiting

Jun 29 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

ST HELENS council leader Brian Spencer expressed his delight after a decade of waiting for St Helens’ new stadium plans.

He said: “We have waited many years for this. The United Glass site was first identified for redevelopment in our city growth strategy document which was approved by Gordon Brown (as Chancellor).

“This project was first mooted 10 years ago – it has been a long time coming. This will bring a range of benefits to the town and to the region, with investment and jobs.”

St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus hailed the new home as the best thing in the history of not just the club, but the town as well.

He added: “This is an ideal location for a new stadium, next to the link road and close to the motorway.

“It has been designed to create a fantastic atmosphere for our fans.

“It will have first class corporate facilities and private viewing boxes, and following complaints about toilet facilities in the existing ground there will 220 individual toilets, catering for every form, shape and bladder.

“This will be the best thing that has ever happened in the town’s history.”

Langtree managing director John Downes said: “We are proud to be playing an integral role in this scheme. The result will be a fantastic new development with the saints stadium as the centrepiece.”

St Helens South MP Shaun Woodward said: “This project will signal to everyone that St Helens is a 21st century town.”

Dave Watts, MP for St Helens North, said: “The people of St Helens are rightly proud of their RL club which is well on the way to getting a world class stadium.”

Captain Paul Scunthorpe is pleased that the club will finally have a facility off the field to match their achievements on it.

He said: “It’s time the most successful team in modern rugby league had a stadium which matches that success.”