PRESSURE has been heaped on Saracens to ensure their planned move to Barnet Copthall stadium after Watford FC said they will not be staying at their ground after this summer.

The Premiership rugby club currently share Vicarage Road with the football club, who activated a break clause in the arrangement in a bid to squeeze more cash from them.

However, yesterday Sarries chairman Nigel Wray announced the club were looking to revamp the Copthall facility as their home ground, to make it a “world class” facility.

Graham Taylor, Watford's chairman, confirmed the Men in Black would be leaving the stadium this summer regardless of a successful planning application.

He said: “We originally presented Saracens with a September 3 deadline to make a decision about their future after June 2011,” Watford chairman Graham Taylor said.

“Despite this deadline not being met, I believe we have shown understanding, empathy and no little patience in wanting to conclude this matter in the best interest of both parties – and, of course, with supporters of both clubs in mind.

“With Saracens now seriously pursuing another option, as they’ve explained today, we feel the time is now right to provide some definition and clarity, particularly to our fans.

“We’re very comfortable with our decision and its timing.

“Now we want to push forward with the plans we have been starting to formulate that explore revenue streams open to us once Saracens are no longer here.

“The development of Vicarage Road into a stadium of which we can all be proud remains our key focus.”

Mr Wray said Saracens hope to be playing in the Mill Hill stadium, which will have £10m pumped into it, by September, but is reliant on planning approval from Barnet Council.

A similar scheme by Barnet Football Club for a 10,000 seat stadium was rejected after an outcry from residents in the area.

Yesterday Mr Wray and chief executive Edward Griffith refused to say if they had another option should the stadium fall through.