Lets be honest though, their ground is more like a Meccano kit, functional but spartan, yours is going to be at least the equal of the KC and should take at least 13 months from start to finish when you consider how much demolition needs doing & the signing off etc. Archaeology digs can always be worked around anyway but it might be the weather that holds things up if we have anything like last winter. It'll be cracking when it is done & fitting for the Saints team performances, hopefully the town will show their support in greater numbers than ever especially for games that are not so appealing which is where it appears you fall down even during your all conquering season (7 out of 14 home games were under 10K with 2 of the other 7 just over by less than 100).
I don't get this "mechano kit" rubbish. Ok our ground may not be the biggest, may not be the best, but it is ours. It was built mainly for use a rugby league ground, it holds the largest function room in warrington, and also houses an nhs clinic.
It also has the prospect to be expanded. I think Saints ground us gonna look great, but I thank the lord the HJ came when it did, mechano or not!
I'd be disappointed if i was a saints fan that the ground is not 18,000 all seated. I still shake my head when i see blokes walking to the 'newly built' HJ stadium, with milk crates and stools for their kids to stand on so they can see. The architects need to watch a match kneeling down on terracing to experience the view anyone under 5'8" gets before they design a new stadium with terracing.
I sincerely hope everything goes to plan, it's ready on time and it's a success. However I do have one reservation. I'm not convinced that Saints will see the expected crowd increases, particularly if on field success isn't achieved.
As I have posted time and time again. In 2007/8, Saints did a series of surveys around the borough. It focused on schools and why people weren't attending.
Knowsley Road, for some part of St Helens, is 3 bus journey's away. The new stadium is a five minute walk away from any bus trip from any part of town.
For people from St Helens, this is a massive plus, it takes away the need to drive and risk parking down Dodd Avenue and other areas.
Saints expect the rise to come mainly from people (be they juniors with their mates, or families) coming from their homes in the borough.
I'd be disappointed if i was a saints fan that the ground is not 18,000 all seated. I still shake my head when i see blokes walking to the 'newly built' HJ stadium, with milk crates and stools for their kids to stand on so they can see. The architects need to watch a match kneeling down on terracing to experience the view anyone under 5'8" gets before they design a new stadium with terracing.
Standing was what [some of] the fans wanted. (Look how many football fans you see standing in all-seater stadia at Premier League games !).
Plus terracing reduces the build costs of the stadium.
Standing was what [some of] the fans wanted. (Look how many football fans you see standing in all-seater stadia at Premier League games !).
Plus terracing reduces the build costs of the stadium.
So some of the fans views are allowed to influence what the majority would want. I feel its the wrong decision. I am aware the cost will be lower, but again its short sighted, i feel, and just think what an 18,000 all seater purpose built RL stadium would be like. You would then have some of the best facilities in the country. Now you will have an ok stadium where a good proportion of the crowd will find it difficult to see the game when the ground is full.
So some of the fans views are allowed to influence what the majority would want. I feel its the wrong decision. I am aware the cost will be lower, but again its short sighted, i feel, and just think what an 18,000 all seater purpose built RL stadium would be like. You would then have some of the best facilities in the country. Now you will have an ok stadium where a good proportion of the crowd will find it difficult to see the game when the ground is full.
It was a sizeable number of fans who voiced their opinion that they would prefer standing areas within the new ground and the club listened.Giving the supporters the option to sit or stand,where there is no legal reason to have an all-seater stadium,is what was requested and what was delivered.
I am aware the cost will be lower, but again its short sighted, i feel, and just think what an 18,000 all seater purpose built RL stadium would be like.
Largely empty looking I should think! But if fans fall out with the idea of standing, seats can be put in. It won't be the same capacity but it will be all-seater. However, lots of fans wanted to stand. They preferred to stand along the sides, but behind the sticks will do. I want to stand. I want to be free to jump up and down, and to change my view, albeit with limited variation given the position behind the sticks. But lots of fans are going to miss the freedom they had at Knowsley Road and being able to stand is one way of maintaining that.
I just hope the atmosphere in the Wide to West end can be something similar to the Pop Side. It won't ever be the same, but maybe we can get something going.
So some of the fans views are allowed to influence what the majority would want. I feel its the wrong decision. I am aware the cost will be lower, but again its short sighted, i feel, and just think what an 18,000 all seater purpose built RL stadium would be like. You would then have some of the best facilities in the country. Now you will have an ok stadium where a good proportion of the crowd will find it difficult to see the game when the ground is full.
A choice or seating and standing is what the majority of fans wanted and thats what they are getting.
As I stand at 6' 4" tall I am more than happy I can stand at our new stadium, as most stadia's in the UK don't cater for larger people generally.
I'd be disappointed if i was a saints fan that the ground is not 18,000 all seated. I still shake my head when i see blokes walking to the 'newly built' HJ stadium, with milk crates and stools for their kids to stand on so they can see. The architects need to watch a match kneeling down on terracing to experience the view anyone under 5'8" gets before they design a new stadium with terracing.
I am 5ft and have rarely had a problem with view when standing, I get in early enough I can position myself where I should be fine, if there is a problem its easy enough to move when stood anyway (not that I can remember the last time I had to). If anything I have had more problems when sitting as I seem to always end up with the giants sat in front of me!
I will be sitting in the new ground as it will be easier with 2 young children hopefully attending games within the next few seasons. If it wasn't for that though I would have happily stood at the new ground.
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