Saracens given stadium decision deadline

Saracens Rugby Club has been given a deadline of 3 September to make a decision on its future at Vicarage Stadium.

The Aviva Premiership team has played at the ground since 1997, but Championship football side Watford, who also play at the ground, activated a ‘break clause’ in the deal between the two clubs in May.

The agreement had been set to run until 2017, but now Saracens has to consider its options or negotiate a new lease with Watford.

If Saracens decide not to enter into a new lease agreement, its tenancy will end on 1 June, 2011.

Watford chief executive Julian Winter said: “We have given them a couple of proposals around a future lease and their response will be back to us by 3 September. 

“I think we have to know where we are. That is what we have agreed. We need some certainty with Saracens so we can crack on and plan with or without them.”