ANXIOUS Saints have urgently appealed to fans to get behind the team when they tackle Australian champions Brisbane Broncos at Bolton's Reebok Stadium on Friday, January 26.

The club's plea comes in the wake of reports that demand for tickets for the World Club Challenge showdown has only been a trickle after a 28,000 full house was expected.

Although talk of a boycott is ill-founded, a large body of supporters believe the game is at the wrong place and wrong time, and are adamant that the match should have been staged at Knowsley Road.

An 8pm kick-off also means that many locals would be hard pressed to get back to town for a customary week-end drink, while the inevitable lure of television is a powerful one for the waverer.

Imploring fans not to penalise their club, Saints' chief executive Malcolm Kay said: "We understand their annoyance at Super League's decision to play at the Reebok, but we must ensure that the stadium becomes a second Knowsley Road for the night."

Marketing executive Simon Dawson commented: "Brisbane have placed advertisements in Wigan newspapers asking Warriors' followers to back Broncos, and their players will attempt to drum up support in Wigan next week. It would be huge disadvantage to Saints if they were out-numbered and out-shouted at the Reebok stadium, and we feel that a massive volume of vocal backing from St Helens could be the difference between success and failure in Saints' bid to become world champions."

Tickets for the big clash remain on sale at Knowsley Road, price £20 (concession £10), £16 (£8), £12 (£6).

Meanwhile, Saints have responded to reports that their former half-back Darrell Trindall is to take legal action against them for terminating his contract last April.

The Australian insists that he could have played on despite a shoulder injury or, alternatively, had corrective surgery. The problem was diagnosed when he arrived at Saints on the recommendation of coach Ellery Hanley. Following cortisone injections, Trindall played in cup-ties against Swinton and Leeds.

Said Malcolm Kay: "The Trindall story is 12 months old and in the hands of our solicitors, and it would be unprofessional to enter into a war of words."

Saints' Test prop of the 1960s, Cliff Watson jetted in from Sydney at the weekend and took the opportunity to renew acquaintances with former team-mates. Now 61 and in good shape, Cliff then returned to his home town Dudley before heading back to Australia.