Thoughts from the Catalans experience : Mon May 18, 2009 6:25 pm  

Just thought I would post some thoughts from my weekend in Perpignan.

This was the 4th time I have visited for the Saints match and I reckon this was the best weekend I have had. The atmosphere around town was brilliant and the banter among and between fans was great. The weather was just right too and the win was an added bonus!

Thanks go to all the Saints fans who stayed at the Citea and other hotels for being so friendly - me and my Dad had a great weekend and even though we don't live in St Helens, we enjoyed talking to loads of different people.

The atmosphere at the ground was superb and it's understandable why they are so strong at home - it's very intimidating at times.

However, Les Cats need to look at the ticketing situation. Giving free tickets to local schools is a terrific idea but they need to monitor this carefully, VERY carefully. To have Saints fans who have paid hundreds of pounds unable to find a seat whereas kids with free tickets have seats is disgraceful, and even worse to have some of those kids sat in the walkways between blocks of seats was just dangerous. It wasn't their fault, but the stewards didn't have a clue! However, watching a couple of Saints fans enjoying banter with the kids was very funny.

So yet again, we had a great time and we will probably be there next year (keeping my fingers crossed the fixtures don't throw this up next year on 20th August weeked as I will be getting married!) and thanks go to all the Saints and Cats fans for making the whole experience so enjoyable.

Come on you Saints!

Re: Thoughts from the Catalans experience : Mon May 18, 2009 6:31 pm  

BurnleyDave wrote:

Just thought I would post some thoughts from my weekend in Perpignan.

This was the 4th time I have visited for the Saints match and I reckon this was the best weekend I have had. The atmosphere around town was brilliant and the banter among and between fans was great. The weather was just right too and the win was an added bonus!

Thanks go to all the Saints fans who stayed at the Citea and other hotels for being so friendly - me and my Dad had a great weekend and even though we don't live in St Helens, we enjoyed talking to loads of different people.

The atmosphere at the ground was superb and it's understandable why they are so strong at home - it's very intimidating at times.

However, Les Cats need to look at the ticketing situation. Giving free tickets to local schools is a terrific idea but they need to monitor this carefully, VERY carefully. To have Saints fans who have paid hundreds of pounds unable to find a seat whereas kids with free tickets have seats is disgraceful, and even worse to have some of those kids sat in the walkways between blocks of seats was just dangerous. It wasn't their fault, but the stewards didn't have a clue! However, watching a couple of Saints fans enjoying banter with the kids was very funny.

So yet again, we had a great time and we will probably be there next year (keeping my fingers crossed the fixtures don't throw this up next year on 20th August weeked as I will be getting married!) and thanks go to all the Saints and Cats fans for making the whole experience so enjoyable.

Come on you Saints!

That was me and my mate!, they booed us to death! and then the saints fans gave us a cheer! The crowd noise was fantastic. Sir Mac in the crowd with us, legend.
The best weekend i've had in years, much better than the wembley weekend, and i'll be back there next year. The weather was brilliant and all the locals were really friendly

Re: Thoughts from the Catalans experience : Mon May 18, 2009 6:42 pm  

BurnleyDave wrote:

Just thought I would post some thoughts from my weekend in Perpignan.

This was the 4th time I have visited for the Saints match and I reckon this was the best weekend I have had. The atmosphere around town was brilliant and the banter among and between fans was great. The weather was just right too and the win was an added bonus!

Thanks go to all the Saints fans who stayed at the Citea and other hotels for being so friendly - me and my Dad had a great weekend and even though we don't live in St Helens, we enjoyed talking to loads of different people.

The atmosphere at the ground was superb and it's understandable why they are so strong at home - it's very intimidating at times.

However, Les Cats need to look at the ticketing situation. Giving free tickets to local schools is a terrific idea but they need to monitor this carefully, VERY carefully. To have Saints fans who have paid hundreds of pounds unable to find a seat whereas kids with free tickets have seats is disgraceful, and even worse to have some of those kids sat in the walkways between blocks of seats was just dangerous. It wasn't their fault, but the stewards didn't have a clue! However, watching a couple of Saints fans enjoying banter with the kids was very funny.

So yet again, we had a great time and we will probably be there next year (keeping my fingers crossed the fixtures don't throw this up next year on 20th August weeked as I will be getting married!) and thanks go to all the Saints and Cats fans for making the whole experience so enjoyable.

Come on you Saints!

How was the Citea? I've booked in there this year for our trip in August, I usually stay in the Kyriad but they've put prices up this year.

: Mon May 18, 2009 7:06 pm  

The Citea is great! I have stayed in the Kyriad for the past 2 years and was disappointed I wan't in there a third time (before going out there).

But the Citea is modern, clean and well located. It's about a 1 or 2 minute walk from the Castillet and the rooms are well equipped - you have TV, phone, fridge, microwave and hob rings. You even get cupboards full of plates, cups, pans and cutlery!

Breakfast isn't as good as the Kyriad - less selection - but the overall experience was very positive.

: Mon May 18, 2009 9:52 pm  

I thought the school children malarkey was stupid.

But we ended pitch side near in front of the main stand where two Saints fans were sitting and making more noise than most of the main stand put togther.

Had a great weekend, went out not expecting a win in all honesty, but a win is great !!

: Tue May 19, 2009 10:24 am  

BurnleyDave wrote:

The Citea is great! I have stayed in the Kyriad for the past 2 years and was disappointed I wan't in there a third time (before going out there).

But the Citea is modern, clean and well located. It's about a 1 or 2 minute walk from the Castillet and the rooms are well equipped - you have TV, phone, fridge, microwave and hob rings. You even get cupboards full of plates, cups, pans and cutlery!
Breakfast isn't as good as the Kyriad - less selection - but the overall experience was very positive.

That wasn't the Citea, it was the Ikea!

Re: Thoughts from the Catalans experience : Tue May 19, 2009 9:25 pm  

BurnleyDave wrote:

Just thought I would post some thoughts from my weekend in Perpignan.

This was the 4th time I have visited for the Saints match and I reckon this was the best weekend I have had. The atmosphere around town was brilliant and the banter among and between fans was great. The weather was just right too and the win was an added bonus!

Thanks go to all the Saints fans who stayed at the Citea and other hotels for being so friendly - me and my Dad had a great weekend and even though we don't live in St Helens, we enjoyed talking to loads of different people.

The atmosphere at the ground was superb and it's understandable why they are so strong at home - it's very intimidating at times.

However, Les Cats need to look at the ticketing situation. Giving free tickets to local schools is a terrific idea but they need to monitor this carefully, VERY carefully. To have Saints fans who have paid hundreds of pounds unable to find a seat whereas kids with free tickets have seats is disgraceful, and even worse to have some of those kids sat in the walkways between blocks of seats was just dangerous. It wasn't their fault, but the stewards didn't have a clue! However, watching a couple of Saints fans enjoying banter with the kids was very funny.

So yet again, we had a great time and we will probably be there next year (keeping my fingers crossed the fixtures don't throw this up next year on 20th August weeked as I will be getting married!) and thanks go to all the Saints and Cats fans for making the whole experience so enjoyable.

Come on you Saints!

I do agree with most of your post but I thought it should be mentioned that the Catalans fans behaviour at the end was an absolute disgrace throwing bottles at Long and Bentham. Having had a chance to speak to Bentham post-match they went cmpletely over the top with someone even throwing a cigarette at him that burnt right the way thorugh his shirt.

On a positive note though couldn't agree more about the atmosphere in the build up, and during the match. Fantastic weekend and I'm already eyeing up the return next year[/b]

Re: Thoughts from the Catalans experience : Tue May 19, 2009 10:21 pm  

John the Saint wrote:

I do agree with most of your post but I thought it should be mentioned that the Catalans fans behaviour at the end was an absolute disgrace throwing bottles at Long and Bentham. Having had a chance to speak to Bentham post-match they went cmpletely over the top with someone even throwing a cigarette at him that burnt right the way thorugh his shirt.

On a positive note though couldn't agree more about the atmosphere in the build up, and during the match. Fantastic weekend and I'm already eyeing up the return next year[/b]

That did sour the match a tad, however he seemed to have got over the incident in the Irish bar later

Re: Thoughts from the Catalans experience : Wed May 20, 2009 8:07 am  

John the Saint wrote:

I do agree with most of your post but I thought it should be mentioned that the Catalans fans behaviour at the end was an absolute disgrace throwing bottles at Long and Bentham. Having had a chance to speak to Bentham post-match they went cmpletely over the top with someone even throwing a cigarette at him that burnt right the way thorugh his shirt.

On a positive note though couldn't agree more about the atmosphere in the build up, and during the match. Fantastic weekend and I'm already eyeing up the return next year[/b]

as discussed on another thread, where is your proof that this happened?

: Wed May 20, 2009 8:49 am  

what on average have you guys been paying to go for the whole weekend inc ticket, hotel etc.
Whats the night life like after the match?
cheers