SAINTS' are remaining tight-lippped over rumours that Test scrum-half Bobbie Goulding is considering offers to play Rugby Union for a top club in the winter.

The speculation was fuelled by recent media reports that Goulding's name had been circulated to a number of clubs by his agent.

Said a Saints' spokesman: "While it is true to say the matter was mentioned at Tuesday's board meeting, no official approach has been made to us and I can only repeat that Bobbie is contracted to Saints for the next two years."

First team assistant coach Mike Gregory will also take charge of Saints' Alliance squad following the board's decision not to renew the contract of Brian Case.

Chief executive David Howes will hold another public meeting with Saints' supporters at the Town Hall on Monday, January 19, at 8pm.

Spurred by the success of the first lunchtime Sportsman's Forum in November, Saints will hold a repeat performance at Knowsley Road on Friday, January 30.

Guest speakers will be Saints' coach Shaun McRae and broadcaster Malcolm Lord, while the compere is Willie Miller of Radio City. Tickets price £20 are available from Saints' commercial department.

Selling like hot cakes! That is the report from North West Video boss Ron Lee on his two superb videos 'Saints Go Marching On' and Rugby's Coming Home. Orders have come from many parts of world but they are still available at Saints and other local outlets. Saints are to repeat their Nevada Bobs Mixed Golf Classic at the Blundells Hill club on Tuesday, September 1, which will again be limited to an entry of 24 teams of four players (including a Saints' star),

Entry fee is £275 plus VAT per team who will compete for a host of prizes. Also included are soup and sandwiches on arrival; complimentary team photograph; individual putting competition, and three-course dinner and cabaret.

Extra places are bookable dinner and cabaret only, and further information is obtainable from the Saints commercial department

The Knowsley Road social diary for 1998 also includes two mixed evening dinner dates at the Haydock Thistle Hotel on Thursdays February 26 and June 25.

Doctor Kevin Jones will speak at the first with the comedian being Jimmy Bright, while retired police chief Eric Jones and Mike Farrell have similar roles in the second "bash".

No decision has been made on whether Saints will play a game at Anfield in the forthcoming season.

Brett Goldspink is expected to make his debut in the Saints Alliance side which will play Lancashire Lynx at Deepdale, Preston, on Sunday, January 18. Coach seats are available from Saints' Travellers Club price £4. Full colour calendars with player profiles are on sale at the club superstore price £3.99.

Former Saints' full-backRoy Pritchard has died in Gwent at the age of 59. He came to Knowsley Road from Newbridge in season 1959-60 and made nine appearances, in which he kicked 16 goals, eight of which were on his debut at Rochdale. Roy was later transferred to Hornets and was in their side defeated 16-5 by Warrington in the Lancashire Cup Final at Knowsley Road in 1965.

Answer to correspondent Arnold Briggs of Rainhill: Tom Van Vollenhoven played centre when Saints beat Leigh 15-4 in the Lancashire Cup Final at Swinton in 1963. Saints' line-up was: Coslett (3 goals); Killeen (try), Vollenhoven (try), Northey, Harvey; Smith (try), Murphy; Tembey, Dagnall, Watson, French, Ashcroft, Major.

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