London could get a new rugby club as the merry-go-round of relocating sports teams continues. This time round, Saracens have submitted plans to Barnet Council to move into Copthall Stadium in Mill Hill.
The club currently plays its home games in Watford FC's Vicarage Road, but hopes to shimmy south-east and redevelop the Barnet ground. The plans call for a 10,000-seat stadium that would allow rugby, athletics and 'community sports'. The submission also includes provision for parking. Saracens would play 16 annual Premiership games at the ground between September and May.
Not everyone is happy. Barnet FC have long had their own designs on Copthall. A bid to redevelop the ground in 2001 was turned down by Deputy PM John Prescott. So we have a small, local club and a heavyweight outsider gunning for the same stadium. Deja vu.
