MEMBERS of a talented amateur boxing squad are flexing their muscles for their biggest fight yet.

The future of the United Glass recreation complex at Bobbies Lane, Eccleston - home to the highly-successful St Helens Town ABC - has been shrouded in uncertainty ever since the company's bombshell decision to close its Peasley Cross factory was announced in December last year.

The factory ceased operations last week with the loss of 400 jobs. Now the boxing lads are battling to hold onto their 'home' in the face of rumours that the 11-acre Green Belt site has been earmarked for residential development.

These were fuelled further by reports that a construction firm had approached a local resident for permission to demolish his house to make way for an access road to a planned estate, with a brand-new property offered in compensation.

As well as the boxers, several other sporting groups are based at Bobbies Lane, including two amateur Rugby League clubs, a number of soccer teams, three cricket teams, ladies rounders and crown green bowlers.

John Cobring, a St Alban's-based spokesman for United Glass, told the Star: "At this stage I can only say that we have held discussions with the local authority on what becomes of both the Bobbies Lane and the Peasley Cross sites"

A St Helens Council spokeswoman confirmed this, saying: "No official approach has been made to us, but we are aware that all sporting organisations have been given notice. The sports field and social club are on private land, but no planning applications for housing have been submitted." And John Bibby, manager of the once-thriving social club on the site, added: "We have been given a deadline of June 1, which means that this year's Bank Holiday seven-a-side amateur Rugby League tournament will be the last. All this confusion has led to a sharp drop in bar takings."

But officials and members of the boxing club, which regularly produces national champions and internationals, will not be giving up their HQ without a fight, especially having completely revamped the 65-year-old pavilion to provide a fully-equipped gymnasium and weight-training facilities.

Secretary John Chisnall said: "We cater for upwards of 80 youngsters of varying ages and have carried out massive repairs and improvements at great expense to ourselves. We rent the premises from UG and we regard ourselves as sitting tenants."

Now the club have vowed to take their fight all the way to Parliament by enlisting the support of St Helens South MP Gerry Bermingham.

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