Watford want Saracens stay

Vicarage Road: Shared ground

SKY SPORTS ON SKY
There's more live football on Sky Sports than ever before, including the Barclays Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Clydesdale Bank Premier League, England away Euro 2012 qualifiers and La Liga. With four live Sky Sports channels, as well as Sky Sports News, you'll never miss a moment on Sky. Click here for more.

Related links

Teams

• Saracens
• Watford

Also see

• Fantasy Football
• Experts
• Transfer Centre
• Sky Sports on Sky
• Radio

Watford chief executive Julian Winter hopes Saracens will extend their stay at Vicarage Road.

The Aviva Premiership side have shared the Championship club's home since 1997 and will be in action at the ground for the first time this year on Sunday when they host Sale Sharks.

The cash-strapped Hornets issued Sarries with a year's notice on their current deal back in May as they are keen to tie the rugby club to a new agreement which would assist with the redevelopment of the ageing stadium.

A deadline passed last week without any formal response from Saracens to the two proposals offered by Watford.

However, Winter remains confident of persuading Sarries that it would be in their best interests to carry on playing at Vicarage Road.

He said: "There's no doubt that a working partnership with Saracens at Vicarage Road can only be to the benefit of the long-term aims of both our club and the stadium.

"But given the clear guidelines which were set out as part of our discussions, and the fact the partnership principle has been on the table for over a year, the board of Watford FC is disappointed that this matter still remains unresolved.

"We are, however, still in positive dialogue with Saracens' officials, so at this moment there is a possibility of the rugby club remaining at Vicarage Road beyond June 2011.

"As our fans I'm sure would expect of us, we are working on plans which deal with both possible outcomes."

Constructive

Saracens chief executive Edward Griffiths expects his club to make a decision on their future home by the end of the week.

"Discussions are continuing with Watford. We have always had an excellent relationship with them. We hope to be in a position to reach a final decision by the weekend but these things take time.

"Watford have been open and constructive throughout and I couldn't speak too highly of Julian Winter and Watford in what is a challenging situation.

"We share a desire to see the stadium upgraded and we are trying to see how we can ensure this works."