SAINTS are set to sell their Knowsley Road ground, the club's spiritual home since 1890!

Rumours that something was afoot have been rife for weeks, and gathered momentum when a Wainhomes' advertising hoarding appeared on the Edington stand at the weekend.

In addition Saints' Alliance and Academy shirts now carry the building giant's logo, and Wainhome now also sponsor the executive '100 Club' at Knowsley Road.

Saints' issued the following statement after I raised the matter with vice-chairman Malcolm Kay on Tuesday:

'Contracts have been exchanged with Wainhomes on a price of £2 million, but completion is subject to finalisation of a deal to re-locate Saints to the former UGB site.

'The sale is a continuance of the on-going relationship between the two organisations since Wainhomes agreed a two-year sponsorship package last year.

'Langtree group plc, which is related to Wainhomes, has giventhe green light to construction of the new stadium, and will contribute land worth £1.25 million after reclamation.' Langtree director John Downes said: 'The partnership between Saints, the local authority and us is working well, and the proposed new ground is part of our development strategy.'

A planning application will be submitted to develop Knowsley Road for housing after Saints have vacated.

Although it is unlikely that permission will be granted for any other type of development, a clause has been inserted into the agreement that assures a payback for any increase in land value. This addresses a concern raised by Saints' shareholders at the EGM in December that the club should obtain the best possible price for the sale.

Said Mr Kay: 'It is an excellent deal that will help Saints re-locate to a state-of-the-art stadium. It comes alongside our current arrangements with our main sponsors St. Helens Glass.'

'Everyone involved is confident that Saints' new home will be built by the end of next year, and fully operational in good time for the start of the 2002 season. The future looks very bright indeed.'

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