SAINTS' chief executive David Howes has denied he is leaving Knowsley Road to spearhead new Super League franchises at either Swansea, Cardiff or Gateshead.

The speculation was fuelled by rumours that Howes was seeking clarification of the changing management structure at Saints following last week's appointment of former coach Eric Hughes as football operations manager.

The club also stated that Mr. Hughes would report directly to the board, which effectively meant he would by-pass the chief executive.

Said Mr. Howes: "While agreeing that I did attend exploratory franchise talks in Swansea with my Wigan counterpart Phil Clarke some time ago, I have not received any formal job offers.

"My position remains unchanged in that I am contracted to Saints until the summer of the year 2000."

Meanwhile Saints entertain unbeaten league leaders Leeds Rhinos on Sunday, kick-off 6.35pm. Pre-match bar facilities will be available on the training pitch. If Adrian Morley avoids suspension the Leeds team is expected to be: Harris; Sterling, Blackmore, Godden, Cummings; Kemp, Sheridan; Masella, Lawford, Fleary, Farrell, Morley, Powell, Substitutes Holroyd, Mathiou, Hay, St. Hilaire, The respective Academy teams will kick-off at 4.30pm.

Sources at Knowsley Road have rebuffed media reports that Paul Newlove is on his way back to Bradford Bulls, or that an Alan Hunte/Bobbie Goulding swop deal is on the cards with Hull Sharks. Saints also deny any knowledge of a proposed move to the Boulevard by Vila Matautia. Teenage scrum-half Paul Wellens was man-of-the-match with seven goals and a try when the table-topping Alliance side defeated Halifax 46-10 at Knowsley Road. Saints' other touchdowns were scored by Steve Hall (2), Chris Newall, Alan Cross, Jason Johnson, Dale Holdstock and Nick Cammann.

Saints' Academy team won by 50-20 at Widnes on Sunday. Man-of-the-match John Braddish scored two tries and seven conversions with the other touchdowns coming from Mark McCully (4), James Hitchmough, Chris Laughton and Mark Edmondson.

Saints will hold another of their uni-sex Sporting Soirees at the Haydock Thistle Hotel on Thursday, June 25, from 7.30pm. Speaker is Eric Jones and comedian Mike Farrell. Tickets cost £30 and are available from Andy Foreman and Julie Hesketh on 758269.

The Sporting Forum scheduled for tomorrow, Friday, at Knowsley Road, has been cancelled.

Saints' winger of the 1940s Joseph 'Doper' Helsby has died aged 80. A funeral service takes place at the crematorium tomorrow, Friday, at 9.30am.

A Saints' stalwart and journalist now living in the Midlands is championing the Rugby League cause, despite being surrounded by hordes of Birmingham City Aston Villa fans.

For ex-De La Salle pupil Michael Critchley is on the staff of the Birmingham Metro News, and coverage of the city's team in the newly-formed Summer Conference League is within his 'patch.'

Formerly of Windleshaw Road, Dentons Green, Michael has written and published two works on Saints, and still attends matches at Knowsley Road when reporting duties permit. 'Win a trip to New York for two' raffle tickets are on sale at the Superstore price £1. Many other prizes are up for grabs, and the draw will be held before the Salford game on June 28.

Answer to correspondent Arthur Hill, of Pocket Nook: Welshmen Steve Llewellyn and George Parsons made a joint debut for Saints against Rochdale Hornets at Knowsley Road on January 24, 1948. Saints lost 9-8 with tries being scored by Len Aston and Ike Fishwick, plus a conversion by Sonny Doyle. Saints' team was: Butler; Llewellyn, Aston, Street, Doyle; Constance, Beesley; Pilkington, Fishwick, Aspinall, Parsons, Roberts, Dixon.

Parsons returned to his native Crickhowell while Llewellyn lives at Bleak Hill.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.