Re: Stadium Site pictures : Mon May 30, 2011 1:36 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

Around 18,500.

LOL. As if.

I reckon we'll average a nice 13,500 first season while everyone checks out my new pad (And it is mine, built for me specifically before anyone asks) then it'll settle around the 11,500 mark.

A lot depends on how servicable it is. Can you get away within 10-15 minutes post game or will it be a traffic nightmare lockin like the JJB used to be before everyone got used to it? Also, we will actually be any good as a team? If we were winning trophies again the crowds could rocket, but if we're settling into a top half side which could happen as we're losing 2 of our 3 best players again this year then it's hard to see where the enthusiasm would come from, kind of like Hull.

Re: Stadium Site pictures : Mon May 30, 2011 1:57 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

LOL. As if.

Well, I mean, what kind of question was it? Daft, that's what.

I reckon we'll average a nice 13,500 first season while everyone checks out my new pad (And it is mine, built for me specifically before anyone asks) then it'll settle around the 11,500 mark.

I think how many turn up in part depends upon whether Saints are actually willing to market their products - namely, Saints AND the stadium. Saints marketing was abysmal when we were in KR. The club needs to start treating the town as if it has never heard of rugby league and also needs to start putting pressure on the Council to recognise and promote what is the only good thing left in the place. Not that St Helens Council has a clue about such things. All it can think about is making stupid political points all the time.

A lot depends on how servicable it is. Can you get away within 10-15 minutes post game or will it be a traffic nightmare lockin like the JJB used to be before everyone got used to it?

It's not especially serviceable in that everyone will have to park in one multistorey car park but constructing the bridge over from the town centre should help as well as the crossing from the retail park. Being so close to town centre facilities should attract a more staggered arrival time, assuming Saints actually let everyone know that there are facilities nearby to, er, enjoy prior to wandering over to the stadium. But going home time will be a nightmare for away fans as everyone will be directed along the same route.

Also, we will actually be any good as a team? If we were winning trophies again the crowds could rocket, but if we're settling into a top half side which could happen as we're losing 2 of our 3 best players again this year then it's hard to see where the enthusiasm would come from, kind of like Hull.

There is no reason to believe that Saints won't be at the top end of the league again next year. I think the club realise the importance of maintaining a good squad in a new stadium after years of having a good squad in a naff stadium.

Re: Stadium Site pictures : Mon May 30, 2011 2:01 pm  

The fact Saints have made one stand suggests to me that Saints aren't fully confident the Saints public will turn up to the fill the ground every week, but are confident of 11,000+ crowds and the rest of the ground with corporate bods to guarantee big crowds and big money.

Re: Stadium Site pictures : Mon May 30, 2011 2:04 pm  

Blobbynator wrote:

The fact Saints have made one stand suggests to me that Saints aren't fully confident the Saints public will turn up to the fill the ground every week, but are confident of 11,000+ crowds and the rest of the ground with corporate bods to guarantee big crowds and big money.

What do you mean they've made one stand?

Re: Stadium Site pictures : Mon May 30, 2011 2:06 pm  

The South Stand is a corporate stand for the corporate bods. I'd anticipate Saints will be looking to sell that for business people as the prices suggest your average fan would look to the other stands.

Re: Stadium Site pictures : Mon May 30, 2011 2:08 pm  

Blobbynator wrote:

The South Stand is a corporate stand for the corporate bods. I'd anticipate Saints will be looking to sell that for business people as the prices suggest your average fan would look to the other stands.

I'm with you now. It'll be like Widnes, it will be next to empty all year but when we play Wigan it will be full. I hope Sky put the cameras on that stand so the viewing public don't have to watch a sea of plastic seats when we are on.

Re: Stadium Site pictures : Mon May 30, 2011 2:11 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

I'm with you now. It'll be like Widnes, it will be next to empty all year but when we play Wigan it will be full. I hope Sky put the cameras on that stand so the viewing public don't have to watch a sea of plastic seats when we are on.

They have,tis shown on a few of the piccies.

Re: Stadium Site pictures : Mon May 30, 2011 2:14 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

I'm with you now. It'll be like Widnes, it will be next to empty all year but when we play Wigan it will be full. I hope Sky put the cameras on that stand so the viewing public don't have to watch a sea of plastic seats when we are on.

The cameras are in the south stand, so it'll look full in two stands (West and North). The away stand will depend on who we're playing and if Saints fans turn up to fill the end. The South Stand will be the biggest struggle and whilst you'll get fans paying the cost for the South, Saints will target businesses for the big money. I'm sure Saints have got plenty of ideas and have spoken to businesses already in preparation for next season. This season is alot more difficult being at Widnes.

Re: Stadium Site pictures : Tue May 31, 2011 3:17 pm  

SaintsFan wrote:

It's not especially serviceable in that everyone will have to park in one multistorey car park

This is a very valid point. I went to a gig at the venue right next to the river in Liverpool and everyone has to park in the same multistorey there. When every car in the car park decides to leave at the same time it is a nightmare. We queued for over an hour just to get out of the car park. And that's a modern purpose built one, god help us in the ancient town centre car parks.

Re: Stadium Site pictures : Tue May 31, 2011 6:06 pm  

Harry Pinner wrote:

This is a very valid point. I went to a gig at the venue right next to the river in Liverpool and everyone has to park in the same multistorey there. When every car in the car park decides to leave at the same time it is a nightmare. We queued for over an hour just to get out of the car park. And that's a modern purpose built one, god help us in the ancient town centre car parks.

Wigan fans will have being leaving for 20mins before Saints fans get back to their cars!

In all seriousness the traffic survey was a massive part of the planning application but I am hoping the club have got their research right.

I can see it being a log jam at first while people find their favourite spots, but it is free parking after 3pm across the town centre with at least 3 big car parks free, there are dual carriageways, the majority of away fans are almost straight on the motorway home and lets face it Knowsley Road was hardly the best for parking either and it was tolerable.

Saying all that we have made the decision to only drive if weather is too severe to walk (25mins e/way)