Rugby League: Panthers up and running

PROFESSIONAL rugby league returns to Blackpool tomorrow after a 12-year gap when a famous name comes to town.

St Helens are the first visitors to the new Blackpool Panthers club - the successors to the Blackpool Gladiators and before them Blackpool Borough - at Bloomfield Road, which the Panthers will share with Blackpool Football Club.

The Panthers' coach, Mark Lee, has brought with him the bulk of last season's team at the now defunct Chorley Linx. But Lee will be missing his main new signing, Willie Swann, who has had to go home to New Zealand to be with his seriously ill mother.

Saints will include a number of young players from their Academy team.