OPEN warfare has finally erupted after weeks of simmering hostility at Saints.

Now controversial coach Ellery Hanley's career at Saints hangs by a thread just eight months into his appointment after he was sensationally suspended on Monday.

Angry supporters, many of whom gave Hanley a rapturous reception at Sheffield on Saturday, gathered at the ground when the club's decision was announced. A number of fans bombarded the Star with e-mails, letters and phone calls after the announcement.

The suspension came after a two-hour board meeting acting on legal advice, and is without limit of time as Saints investigate Hanley's alleged criticism of directors and officials in the media

The bombshell news was broken to a packed press conference by chairman Howard Morris after he met Hanley at the home of a fellow director.

The suspension is on full pay as Saints study Hanley's comments in the press to determine whether he is in breach of of his two-year contract by bringing the club into disrepute and therefore could be guilty of gross misconduct. In the meantime Hanley has been banned from Knowsley Road.

Assistant coaches Nigel Ashley-Jones and John Myler will take charge of the team for this Sunday's home game against Hull Sharks.

Said solicitor Mr. Morris: 'There are two sides to every story but Ellery did not deny making his comments. The directors considered every option and the decision to suspend was a unanimous one by the full board. Overall we believe the whole affair is a very sad one for all at Saints.'

Saints' football operations manager Eric Hughes commented: "Despite certain allegations being made about me I have maintained a dignified silence because of my belief that this sorry business was of no benefit to Saints.

"However I would like to make a number of points, in particular that I was not prepared to speak with Ellery Hanley. My office door was a matter of yards from his and was always open to him, and I would have been prepared to speak to him on club matters. "However I did not agree with him that Keiron Cunningham be swopped for Richard Pachnuik or Tommy Martyn be replaced by Graham Holroyd, while my refusal to state in the programme that Phil Adamson was signed by me was because I did not want to highlight an individual.

"As for having to include 'kids' in the squad at the beginning of the season, an experienced player like Anthony Sullivan was omitted, Tommy Martyn was on the bench, and Andy Leathem was allowed to go on loan to Warrington,' went on Mr. Hughes.

"Ellery banned the press despite Super League directives to the contrary, while negotiations were held with Martin Moana's agent without informing Halifax and without reference to the salary cap regarding both Martin and suggestions that Saints' re-sign Jarrod McCracken.

"I have had many complaints about Hanley and not just from journalists. They include a consultant surgeon, two doctors, a physiotherapist, supporters and players, while words such as 'rude, ignorant and dinosaurs' hardly spring to mind when talking about a Saints' board who are professional people dedicated to the club."

In a Press Association statement Hanley said he would co-operate fully in the investigation and added: "I am disappointed because I know Saints' players are behind me. It would be unwise to say anything further but I will fight this because I am at Knowsley Road to do a job, and that is to win matches.

"However I totally refute Eric Hughes' remarks regarding Keiron Cunningham and Tommy Martyn, ' added Ellery who - through his solicitor Richard Kramer - has demanded the allegations been withdrawn.

Meanwhile rumours that Hanley will eventually join his former club Wigan refuse to go away, and John Monie, John Pendlebury, Frank Endacott and Ian Millward appear to be front-runners to take over at Knowsley Road should Ellery leave.

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