SAINTS' coach Ellery Hanley is back to mastermind the team's assault on the Super League title - just 10 days after being suspended for media criticism of the club's directors and management.

The suspension was without time limit and on full pay, and Hanley was told to stay away from Knowsley Road pending legal investigation as to whether he was in breach of contract.

But hundreds of furious fans demonstrated against Saints' banning of Hanley at the game against Hull Sharks at Knowsley Road on Sunday.

In the wake of Ellery's re-instatement it is understood he will sit down with club officials to thrash out any differences, including the well-documented ones with football operations manager Eric Hughes and physiotherapist Janette Smith.

The board's dramatic U-turn came after Saints chairman Howard Morris travelled to Manchester on Tuesday to receive an apology from Hanley through his solicitor Richard Cramer, which was accepted by the board.

In a prepared statement Hanley said: "I regret my involvement in the events of the last couple of weeks, and my comments suggesting that the board is in any way old-fashioned and unprofessional. I share their view that matters which were publicly aired should have been resolved internally. I apologise to the board for any offence caused.

"The directors recognise my total commitment to the club and that my sole motivation in speaking out was not for the purpose of harming the interests of the club, its board or any individual. But it reflected my frustrations at the time, when I believed the club might not achieve the success which we were all hoping to achieve at the commencement of the season.

"After a frank exchange of ideas I believe I can work closely with the board in the future and co-operate in the best interests of the club, its players, sponsors and supporters," ended Hanley. Denying any suggestion of a climb-down Mr Morris said: "The club is delighted that, after lengthy discussions with Ellery Hanley, agreement has been reached for his return to coaching duties from Wednesday morning.

" We wish to put the last couple of weeks behind us for the purpose of taking the club forward to its rightful place at the top of Super League.

"We believe Ellery can work closely with the board and officials to achieve that goal and take Saints to bigger and better things," added the chairman.

A large number of supporters gathered at Knowsley Road yesterday (Wednesday) when Howard Morris and Ellery Hanley faced a massive media presence, all anxious to know what influenced the change of heart.

"Bringing back Ellery was a commercial decision," said Mr. Morris, "because Saints believe he is the best coach in the business and, having reached agreement with him on several points, there was no need for further legal opinion on the matter."

Asked if he would be speaking privately to Eric Hughes and Janette Smith, who were not present at Saints yesterday, the chairman said he would be doing so in the immediate future.

Hanley believed that everyone had learned lessons from what had happened; adding that it was time to get back to normal and then go forward together and, as a man who took one game at a time, focus on tomorrow night's game at Leeds

Ellery thanked the fans for their 'unbelievable' support, the players for their professionalism in a difficult situation, and to assistant coach Nigel Ashley-Jones for his untiring efforts during the past ten days.

Lifelong supporter Dave Dooley, a spokesman for the recently-formed Independent Supporters Association, commented: "The board must be congratulated on their decision to retain Ellery Hanley. His focused, determined and professional approach has been greatly appreciated by the team and supporters."

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