FURIOUS Saints' fans left the board in no doubt that they wanted the suspension on Ellery Hanley lifted in demonstrations before, during and after the game against Hull Sharks on Sunday.

They held a rally in the Black Bull Hotel and distributed leaflets before the kick-off, and then assembled on the popular side carrying banners and chanting 'bring back Ellery!' and 'board out!' throughout the match

Supporters' anger was also vented on under-fire football operations manager Eric Hughes and physiotherapist Janette Smith, who ran the gauntlet of continuous booing as she went about her duties.

Eric, who sat in the director's box, and Janette were advised not to cross the pitch by police at the end of the game, and were escorted from the ground through a side exit.

Said Mr. Hughes: "I firmly believe I have done nothing wrong, because I have stood up for the club as its name has been dragged through the mud, and I don't want to see it fail. Why has this happened when things were going so well just a few weeks ago?"

Janette Smith commented: "I was saddened and disappointed to be victimised by supporters who do not know the whole truth. I have never had this problem before and have worked with most of the top coaches including Graeme Lowe, Malcolm Reilly, Shaun McRae, Mike McClennan and Alex Murphy."

More support for the re-instatement of Hanley came through a 1,500-name petition which was submitted to the Star by young supporters Michael Thompson, Stuart Spencer, Sally Tennant and Paul Jackson.

Unmoved by Saints' stirring victory over Hull Sharks, around 1,000 fans massed in front of the board room window to protest against the sacking of Ellery.

Watched by police and ground stewards the angry crowd behaved in orderly manner, but were unanimous that Hanley should stay and that the board and Eric Hughes and Janette Smith should go.

Two supporters, David Howarth and Mark Lennon, then held a meeting in the clubhouse with Saints' chairman Howard Morris and vice-chairman Malcolm Kay to express the concerns of the crowd. Said David, a 29-year-old NHS finance officer, of Lime Tree Walk, Toll Bar: "Mr. Morris and Mr. Kay readily agreed to speak with us and the talks were both amicable and constructive.

"We made the point that the fans wanted Ellery re-instated but Mark and I were told by the chairman that he could not answer that at that stage because Saints needed to see where they up to on the matter."

Said Mr. Morris: "The crowd's reaction was no worse than expected but it is still a pity because it is a very bad situation for the club. But they they pay their money and are entitled to an opinion. However the club is bigger than the board or Ellery Hanley."

Perhaps the last word on a sorry day in Saints' history should come from beleaguered Hull coach Steve Crooks when he said: "You may have problems off-field but there are few on the pitch after what I have just seen!"

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