SUPER League pace-setters Saints will be bidding to complete their first double of the season when re-born Salford Reds visit Knowsley Road on Sunday, kick-off 3pm.

Saints won 30-12 at The Willows on the opening day of the season but - after struggling in the early part of the campaign - a Salford side guided by caretaker coach John Foran have picked up five points from their last three games.

Saints' supremo Ellery Hanley is hoping that Scott Barrow (shoulder) and Tommy Martyn (who was unwell at half-time at Halifax), along with Paul Atcheson (knee) will be fit to face the Reds.

Paul Sculthorpe is making good progress after knee surgery and could return for the Wigan game on June 20, while Vila Matautia's hernia operation is healing well and the Western Samoan could be back by the end of the month. Salford captain Steve Blakeley is facing a late check on a foot injury but is expected to be fit. The probable Reds line-up is: Thompson; Johnson, Littler, Broadbent, Carige; Blakeley, Crompton; Makin, Alker, Southern, Smith, Brown, Hulme. Substitutes E. and J. Faimalo, Highton, Casey.

Referee is Stuart Cummings. The Academy match kicks-off at 12.55pm.

Eccleston-based 49-year-old property consultant Joe Spencer has been co-opted onto the board at Knowsley Road. His appointment brings the board strength to six, ie chairman Howard Morris, vice-chairman Malcolm Kay and directors Tom Ellard, Eric Ashton and Arthur Thomas.

Wing legend of the 1950s and 60s Tom Van Vollenhoven has accepted an invitation to be president of the recently-formed Saints' Oversea's ex-Player's Club. Replying to a letter from marketing director Allan Rowley 'Voll' said: "I am delighted with the idea of keeping far-away Saints' in touch and it is a great honour for me."

The Past Players Association will hold their 20th annual dinner in the cabaret lounge on Friday, June 11, from 7.15pm. Ray French is compere and Paul Forber guest speaker, while comedian is Ben Gunn. Another giant of the past will be elected into Saints' Hall of Fame. Tickets are £20 and the PPA wish to thank the following sponsors: Matthew Brown, Burtonwood Plastics, Ellison Travel, Expressions Offset, Horton's Carpets, and Grundy Haulage, Widnes. Further details from Geoff Pimblett on 24611.

Paul Newlove needs two tries for a career total of 300.

Former Saints' winger Les Quirk - who scored 98 tries for the club between 1987 and 1994 and later joined Whitehaven - has announced his retirement.

Saints' stars Tommy Martyn and Paul Wellens are going to jail - Risley to be precise! For they will be outside the main gates at 11am tomorrow, Friday, to fire the starting pistol on a sponsored run to Scotland by prison officers. Proceeds are for Cancer Research.

Answer to correspondent Joe Williams, of Haydock: The record attendance at Knowsley Road is 35, 695

for the Saints versus Wigan clash on Boxing Day, 1949. Saints won 15-8 with their points coming from tries by Stan McCormick, Reg Blakemore and Jim Stott, who also kicked three goals. Team: Lowe; Llewellyn, Stott, Finnan, McCormick; Honey, Beesley; Norris, Blakemore, Whittaker, Parsons, Aston, Prescott.

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