A WARRINGTON Wolves open day, a stadium rally and the community's 'helping hand' will heighten the 'Save Our Club' campaign which has been launched by the GUARDIAN.

Also a donations account and business season ticket scheme are being set up, as the battle continues to steer the Wolves away from financial difficulties and to gather support for the new stadium plan.

The Wolves' open day will take place at Wilderspool Stadium on Sunday, February 4 at 2pm and all fans are being urged to make it a date in their diary.

Warrington's chief operations officer Adam Jude said: "There needs to be a show of strength to show that this town wants a Super League team.

"There is more and more talk from Super League that they are actively seeking new franchises so it is essential that the community turns out in force to show that they want a franchise in Warrington.

"The club has been in existence for 121 years. The club was there on that historic day in 1895 when there was the Northern Union breakaway.

"But the club has no God-given right to be in Super League.

"Look at South Sydney in Australia - they were a founder club - and nearer to home look at Oldham and Widnes who are no longer playing in the top flight.

"We give a lot back to the community.

"We have made 40,000 contacts with people in the community since September. We coached in every primary and secondary school in the town in the last academic year.

"We raised more than £350,000 for charity too. It shows we are a responsible community citizen.

"Now we want to encourage our fans to turn out for the open day. We want to show the true strength of feeling for this club in Warrington.

"We ask fans to show their true colours on the day and I'm sure Van de Velde's 'barmy army' will help to create a great atmosphere for the occasion."

Warrington's 2001 squad, including new stars Kevin Walters, Steve Georgallis, David Kidwell, Martin Masella and Rob Smyth, will be introduced to the fans at the open day.

There will be speeches made and loads of give-aways.

For one day only,from noon until 4pm, the club is promising a massive sale of latest merchandise stock, except on replica jerseys.

The bars will be open for fans to use and from 1pm to 2pm new sponsors Tetley's will be offering a 'buy two get one free' double deal. There will be the opportunity to sign the stadium petition, buy season tickets and join the Lucky 7 lottery.

The community season ticket scheme backed by the GUARDIAN will be launched at the open day. Businesses will be able to buy Wolves season tickets and then hand them back so that charities and disadvantaged groups can make use of them during the 2001 season.

A unique opportunity for supporters to give the club a 'helping hand' is also being planned. The 'helping hand' project gives a new twist to 'buy a brick' appeals.

Plans for the 'helping hand' idea are in their infancy but it is expected to be a massive hit with players, past players, businesses and fans. Watch this space!

The stadium rally will be taking place at the Parr Hall on Saturday, February 17, and will take the form of a public meeting and is expected to be interactive. Full details will be printed in the GUARDIAN as soon as all is confirmed.