After four years of hard work, Saints have announced exciting plans to move into an 18,000 capacity stadium on the former UGB site in the town centre.
 
And the club’s fans play a key role in the proposals.
 
Put forward alongside St Helens Council, retailer Tesco, housebuilder Taylor Woodrow and spearheaded by landowner and developer, Langtree Group plc, if given the go ahead, the club could play its first game at the new venue in 2010.
 
The scheme will see the derelict 46-acre United Glass site in St Helens become a halo shaped 18,000 capacity stadium, with a mix of seating and standing, for St Helens Rugby League Club and a multi-million pound Tesco Extra.
 
The town’s current Tesco outlet on Chalon Way will then be redeveloped into alternative retail outlets, which will further rejuvenate the town centre.
 
As part of a separate plan, a high quality residential area built by Taylor Woodrow, will replace Knowsley Road, which has been Saints’ home for 116 years.
 
All three proposals are subject to planning permission, and need your support if they are to succeed.
 
"The proposal will deliver a stadium worthy of the best team and the best supporters in world club rugby of either code,” explained Saints’ chairman Eamonn McManus. “We have a long and proud history as one of the greats in our sport and this stadium will also secure our future as such.
 
“It will give an enormous boost to the Club and also to the town and people of St Helens alike. The stadium will provide top class facilities for both fans and sponsors and is designed to retain the special and intense atmosphere historically associated with top class rugby league games.
 
“In addition, it will allow the Club to continue to attract world class rugby league players to the Saints as well as enabling us to expand our community and youth development activities within the town.”
 
He added: “The stadium will also strengthen civic pride and confidence in St Helens. We will be as proud of our town as much as we are of our team. We do not need contrived affiliations with particular cities or specific soccer clubs. First and foremost we are the ambassadors of the town of St Helens and its people and businesses.
 
“In addition to this we aim to attract support and sponsors from everywhere, and not just Merseyside, who appreciate world class rugby league and wish to view and appreciate it in a modern, comfortable and atmospheric stadium. 
 
“The new stadium will ensure just that and guarantee the stability and success of the Club for the next century of Saints' supporters and rugby league supporters generally."
 
We need you!
The new stadium is a bespoke design which is important to the town, to the supporters, to sport and potentially to the region if not the country. The stadium will be the iconic landmark building where the community can express their pride and support in their local rugby league team.
 
A public exhibition will be taking place in St Helens Town Hall from Monday July 2 until Monday July 23, to enable visitors to see the exciting new plans, first hand.
 
More details of the exhibition are available at www.sthelensstadium.com
 
You will also be able to support the plan by filling in a leaflet - available at the club’s shops and handed out at the Huddersfield game and the forthcoming home games against Leeds and Wigan.
 
You can also support it online at www.sthelensstadium.com
 
Please pledge your support.

It will help to secure the affirmative planning decision needed to build the new stadium.