: Mon May 04, 2009 4:32 pm  

Jord Rhinosaur wrote:

That's a big problem with Edinburgh Emma, there aren't that many hotels, and the owners bumped the prices when they heard about the event taking place.

The one we are staying at has bumped its prices, but we reckon it will still possibly be cheaper this year as we had to pay for at least two taxis every day as we were staying outside Edinburgh and there were 7 of us.

: Mon May 04, 2009 4:37 pm  

Jord Rhinosaur wrote:

That's a big problem with Edinburgh Emma, there aren't that many hotels, and the owners bumped the prices when they heard about the event taking place.

There are hundreds of hotels in Edinburgh

If you want a tip try the Holiday Inn Express at Leith, free parking and the bus stops right outside the door - its £1.10 straight into Princess St and there's a bus every ten minutes - or £2 for the all night (half hourly) service

: Mon May 04, 2009 4:43 pm  

ginger rhino wrote:

Would make a lot of sence. City centre stadium, not too far for the majority of fans, a smaller stadium (yet still sufficiently big) and a great night out!

TBH, I heard a lot of rumours that it was going to Dublin from 2011 ... However given the Times article, they seem to think it is Newcastle.

It would be easier to get to, you could reasonably do there and back in the day.

The pitch problem could easily be sorted by moving it to the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May too, it would be the end of the soccer season then.

You'd have the combination of raising Gateshead's profile (why not make their game an 8th match ?) in a city where the soccer team 'could' be on the wain and given the capacity of the ground, it being almost full for most of the games, given a better impression to the viewing public.

Remember Croke Park has a capacity of over 80K, coupled with the additional travel costs that would mean the fans would HAVE to spend the weekend over there (with associated travel costs, hotels etc). One of the things that killed the Cardiff experience was greedy hoteliers charging £200 for a room that they would have otherwise sold for £50. Fans will not stand being repeatedly ripped off.

: Mon May 04, 2009 7:11 pm  

AdmiralHanson wrote:

TBH, I heard a lot of rumours that it was going to Dublin from 2011 ... However given the Times article, they seem to think it is Newcastle.

It would be easier to get to, you could reasonably do there and back in the day.

The pitch problem could easily be sorted by moving it to the Spring Bank Holiday weekend at the end of May too, it would be the end of the soccer season then.

You'd have the combination of raising Gateshead's profile (why not make their game an 8th match ?) in a city where the soccer team 'could' be on the wain and given the capacity of the ground, it being almost full for most of the games, given a better impression to the viewing public.

Remember Croke Park has a capacity of over 80K, coupled with the additional travel costs that would mean the fans would HAVE to spend the weekend over there (with associated travel costs, hotels etc). One of the things that killed the Cardiff experience was greedy hoteliers charging £200 for a room that they would have otherwise sold for £50. Fans will not stand being repeatedly ripped off.

Croke Park could be a PR nightmare (the Irish Rahs Rahs can fill it for a one-off game, given the costs of travel etc, we'd struggle to get it half full).
We were talking about venues this weekend and Newcastle came up. Great idea, near enough for those on a limited budget to drive for the day, plenty to keep the beer fraternity happy and a chance to spread the word where we have a team.

: Mon May 04, 2009 7:16 pm  

edinburgh was spot on for me although it needs to be a 50k stadium to have a better atmosphere

: Mon May 04, 2009 7:49 pm  

tad rhino wrote:

edinburgh was spot on for me although it needs to be a 50k stadium to have a better atmosphere

The only other alternative city in Scotland with the capacity to hold such an event would be Glasgow :

Parkhead - Celtic

Ibrox - Rangers

Hampden Park - Queens Park

However, none of those grounds are in easy walking distance of what could be termed 'the city centre'.

: Mon May 04, 2009 7:50 pm  

AdmiralHanson wrote:

The only other alternative city in Scotland with the capacity to hold such an event would be Glasgow :

Parkhead - Celtic

Ibrox - Rangers

Hampden Park - Queens Park

However, none of those grounds are in easy walking distance of what could be termed 'the city centre'.

stands too far away from pitch IMO

: Mon May 04, 2009 7:51 pm  

(Broken) Time Bandit wrote:

Croke Park could be a PR nightmare (the Irish Rahs Rahs can fill it for a one-off game, given the costs of travel etc, we'd struggle to get it half full).
We were talking about venues this weekend and Newcastle came up. Great idea, near enough for those on a limited budget to drive for the day, plenty to keep the beer fraternity happy and a chance to spread the word where we have a team.

The only other option for 2011 in Ireland would be the re-vamped Landsdowne Road (assuming it is open by then)

: Mon May 04, 2009 7:52 pm  

Lawrie L wrote:

stands too far away from pitch IMO

I'd tend to agree, although the last time I was in there, the crowd was less that you'd get for a Magic Weekend

I was merely talking about grounds with decent capacity in Scotland.

: Mon May 04, 2009 7:55 pm  

AdmiralHanson wrote:

I'd tend to agree, although the last time I was in there, the crowd was less that you'd get for a Magic Weekend

I was merely talking about grounds with decent capacity in Scotland.

well done Admiral, I think you have covered that well