Had a walk up to the ground today, thoughts below ...



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Since I was in town I decided it'd be rude not to head down and have a look at the [more or less finished article, especially since I can't make the open day on the 27th. Managed to get a little closer than I expected [technically trespassing as I was later to be told.



Arrived via the flyover and I have to say there can't be another stadium in the UK which has such an impressive approach. It was good to see there is finally something resembling a sign up facing the motorway, but why it isn't something larger and more obvious I don't know. The rumour was that they couldn't get planning permission for it but that just sounds like [if you can get permission for the stadium a sign isn't going to be a problem is it? and it's not like it would be expensive by comparison to the whole development.



I jumped out at the front entrance just off Liverpool Way and was surprised to find that there's a public walkway around the site. First impression up close is that looks very professional and certainly projects the right image from this angle. The red club crests look particularly good and I like the general colour scheme. It's certainly more impressive than when you approach the main stand at the DW Stadium or Halliwell Jones. I couldn't help but feel though that getting to the stadium this way makes it feel very isolated coming from the rest of Salford, it pretty much feels like an out of town stadium even though it isn't really if you look at where the nearest communities are.



The public walkway led me straight on to the car park and after a quick chat with the onsite security I was able to snap a few photos on the proviso I didn't go inside the stadium itself. I managed to stick my head through the turnstile [which seem to be very similar to the public toilet turnstiles you get in major train stations ... slightly worrying given the stories that free entry was rife at The Willows at the North West corner to get a glimpse inside. The in goal area seems to be quite big which is possibly linked to Sale moving in. Compared to my impressions of the West Stand (main) and certainly versus The Shed or North Stand at The Willows I think the terracing seems very shallow - I could only count about twelve rows of terracing as well - which suggests to me the viewing angles from here will be very poor, especially for those of us who resided towards the back of The Shed. Willows End Reds will probably be at home though. The tunnel under the stand didn't look to have been fully fitted out yet judging by some of the debris but what I could see suggested it'd be pretty drab like underneath the HJ or DW. No sign of anything resembling the famous player displays that Saints have added at their new place, but there's time yet I suppose [not that I think for a second anything like that will actually be added. Also the terracing doesn't go as far back as the stand structure itself does as can be some on some of the photos released last week officially. Essentially the tunnel underneath is in fact behind rather than under the terracing. I can only imagine this is something to do with facilitating the Phase II or III building work [as if.



I couldn't see through the glass in to the Club Shop or Ticket area so nothing to report there. The South West corner is pretty much the same as the North West corner except you've got the pitches down there with by the look of it the changing facilities for these being behind the South Stand. I wasn't able to walk around the rest as it was sealed off and at that point one of the other security guards came over and told me I was trespassing and had to leave [the first one failed to mention this entirely ....



I walked away with the feeling that the place does inspire a certain amount of civic pride as a Salfordian but still feels underwhelming as a Salford RLFC fan. I think the design of the stadium itself could turn out to be a real negative. It hasn't been mentioned so far but for me being able to walk all the way around The Willows was a huge part of the matchday experience - how many of us would go to see mates or relatives in other parts of the ground at half time or even just watch from a different spot now and again? I couldn't see whether or not there is a tunnel running under the West Stand suggesting access around the stadium once inside, but if that doesn't exist then I think it will really detract from matchdays. Add to this the fact that there will almost certainly not be any sort of supporters bar onsite and you have to wonder how this place will ever truly feel like home, and whether it will lead to a sort of breakup of the fan community if people spread out around the stadium. It could well end up being like OT where you see your mates before and after in the pub but not inside. I couldn't and still can't shake the feeling that going to COSS is ultimately not going to feel any different on an emotional level to going to the cinema. Perhaps this is the point when we stop being fans and start being customers. The fact there hasn't been any consultation with the fans throughout the entire design and building of the current version of the stadium doesn't really encourage me.

"I couldn't and still can't shake the feeling that going to COSS is ultimately not going to feel any different on an emotional level to going to the cinema. Perhaps this is the point when we stop being fans and start being customers. The fact there hasn't been any consultation with the fans throughout the entire design and building of the current version of the stadium doesn't really encourage me."



Bingo! Whilst I'm sure many of our present fanbase won't mind this, and of course many new corporate-looking-multiplex-Odeon-cinema-going-types will be drawn to the new stadium, it's something I do not buy into.

As long as there is a significant minority opposed to such cultural changes there is no reason why we have to change the way we watch and support our sport/club.



In English football there seems to be a feeling of resignation from supporters as the experience gets ever more sanitised and the same can be said for Rugby League as it develops and grows.



The main issue is when the like minded, passionate individuals walk away for good or turn a blind eye to it (I know, I've done it before). There's a lot to be said for standing your ground and resisting such changes through the creation or reprisal of an independant supporters organisation. I know its been tried before but maybe the new ground could provide a catalyst?



On the pessimist front, judging from Mike's assessment in his blog, I hope the die hards are prepared for a struggle because if we aren't then we may as well just buy a seat in the main stand, sit down, shut up and sing when we are told to.

Good post Mike

I think you sum up the match day experience very well, basically inside the ground you will be situated in one stand only unable to "Mingle" and as for drinking well there will be no supporters club type bar so you drink inside a breeze block concourse or maybe out on the terrace like at Wire.



I think people will drink elsewhere and just rock up to the staduim a few mins before kick off, then drift off straight after the match, to there own locals/homes.



Unless of co people decide for instance to head into Eccles. (fraggle rock)

Mingle? There are pubs in the vasinity where if you fancy meeting up pre/post drink

When I went to the willows club after a match on a standard night it wasn't exactly hammered with people.



The bar @ barton airport, the rock hotel or the unicorn or even the con club type pub near the roundabout gives you plenty of mingling options, I suspect it will take a few weeks to figure out where the best places are



Personally looking at the front of the stadium I feel its probably the best looking approach to a ground, all lit up, glowing and dominates the sky line will certainly lift the hairs on the back of the neck.



As for in the ground personally I can't wait till we are all pinned in one or two ends always use to annoy the bajeebers out of me when people use to disappear at half the for a beer and never come back. Definite atmosphere killer.



Like I've said its all about adapting and making this experience a positive one

Not the same as mingling inside the ground, though, is it?

True but wouldn't you already have had a discussion with the people you mingle with to find out where they will be situated in the ground so then you can decide where your going to be situated?

Would have thought there will be a fair few doing what the people I go to the games with will doo.



IE meet up in Eccles and grab a cab between them, 5 of you in a blackcab from the rank in Eccles will cost a lot less than buses and i'm pretty sure that the black cab lads will soon suss that if they hang around at 10:00 pm on a Friday near the ground on game days they will get return fairs. Cheap beer in Wethers or the old Finn McCouls with good company is much more prefereable than look warm cans of pi$$ squeezed (only half of it mind) out into plastic pots that we've all had to put up with over recent years at the Willows.

Went to the England Wales game at Leigh a few weeks ago and went for drinks in the Leigh East club house which is exactly what we need, I know I've said it before but I'm amazed that Eccles aren't marketing thier place as a pre match venue for supporters, pretty certain that with a seasons worth of added income in the bank they might be able to invest in some better facilities, hell there might even be a big name international player who is involved in the club willing to invest some of his hard earned in a good cause to do it earlier, the best thing with Eccles is the short cut under the motorway through Brookhouse to the games.



Failing that thing the Airport social club will turn into a regular pre match venue for many, spoken to a couple of people who've been in and they both said it was a decent enough place for a pint.

Bobby what the f*ck has most of that post to do with fans mingling at the ground ? lots of Reds fans have people they go to the game with and then meet people they know but generally only know them through being Salford fans. Thats the mingling bit.



But I guess your idea is looking at the outside facias and keeping tabs on your flock !

I was going to say can you blame them but I think that one might just might be wasted on you.

Other people rule the roost these days and rightly so as hell or high water they get there to watch salford week in week out unlike me at present doesnt.



I believe in that kind terrace etiquette.



I'll probably see what the plan is where everyone is going then decide who and where to go but gone are the days I could dig my heels in and dictate where we drink.



Anyway its all about adapting to change and not being scared of new ways, I'm excited about moving I will have to meet new challenges like making kickoff as I work longer than I ever have but I'm not going to have a winge about it ill just find the best / quickest way there.



its sad but I do feel that some reds WANT the club to fail and the stadium to fail why I don't know but its far from the spirit of 2003 when the fans and club worked together to keep us full time and bring us back from the edge.



perhaps the spirit of salford rugby has finally flipped over and won't be happy till its destroyed itself.



we will see...

Salford may have faced a similar issue when they moved to The Willows. In 1901, there wasn't much around it at all in the way of roads or life and was very much on the developed edge of West Salford (bar the odd manor house and Salford Royal). Yet as generations of supporters who remember the old ground pass, this becomes a non-issue. I might write something for the heritage blog about this.







There has actually. Oh sorry mate, I thought that said consolation.

Blimey, I never realised you used to be some sort of terrace general...

just been to the ground

the scoreboard is up in the North stand

the lounges ate called

Barton

Irlam

Cadishead



and the ground looks great

This thing about getting to the ground,when I first watched Salford in !955 I used to walk from Sutton Flats , top of Fitzwarren Street and back, not a massive distance but took about 15 minutes.

My Dad told me he used to walk from Slater Street, which was the bottom end of Fitzwarren Street near to today's Clarendon Rec, through all the fields with the ground practically on its own, similar to the new ground

Drove up to the very front of the stadium last night with my Dad. The main stand looks impressive, there were people still on the front desk and other people still working about the place. We crossed the bridge and the gates into the stadium were open so we could see right into the ground. The car park needs finishing off, the only problem is it has a very isolated feeling, with nothing, but mud and rubble around it. I know that will take time before the trees start growing and the other units go up around it, but for me it didn't feel like home hopefully that feeling will come.

Collected tickets from stadium earlier today and along with four other fans was given a guided tour into the stadium facility including dressing rooms,tunnel on to the pitch,officials room etc,etc.



Take it from me and the others we now have a fantastic facility that we should all be proud of and we should all sit back and enjoy it.



The stands look great, the views are outstanding, the playing area seems a lot bigger than the Willows and the surface is magnificent.

Not very good panorama off my phone... www.teliportme.com/view/8012

Not very good panorama off my phone... www.teliportme.com/view/8012

Quote Iain="Iain"Not very good panorama off my phone... www.teliportme.com/view/8012'" Sorry I know lots won't agree but think the break of the blue and red seats looks brilliant, adds some perspective and makes the stands look bigger for me.

Quote Iain="Iain"Not very good panorama off my phone... www.teliportme.com/view/8012'" Sorry I know lots won't agree but think the break of the blue and red seats looks brilliant, adds some perspective and makes the stands look bigger for me.

Been down this morning and had the full tour, and boy it's impressive

Well I'll admit it , I was wrong , you've managed to get it finished on time ( just ) and I'm looking forward to visiting it in a couple of weeks

Well went to the stadium today had a tour and I have to say how impressed i am with the stadium, walking upto the stadium the structure is massive and can be seen from miles around just its an amazin approach to any ground I've attended and will certainly get the juices flowing on game day.



In reception they played highlights of salford tries on two big tvs with salford badges on the screen and advertising for leigh.

The changing rooms are in one word amazing, bright clean huge lots of room now for the players to prepare even in the home dressingroom there is a warm up room for players to get fired up and fit for the game.

Had a look round the conference suite which had a great view of the field with comfy chairs, the view from the boxes are stunning with a bar and chairs (sold 11/12 of them) blew my mind I found myself thinking are you sure we play here?

The club offices are huge and they have so much space for entertaining kids on school trips ect



Anyway had a look round the willows suites which had the best view of the lot can image high rollers watching a game from there, all so bright spacious all with tvs with salford highlights on

Walked out of the tunnel and the whole stadium with the view engulfs you, I can only image how the players will feel running out on a matchday the hairs stood up on my neck and there was only 4 of us there.



Under the stand was quite spacious, tv's on the walls with salford branded food outlets (ignito has a kids meal )with salford badges and lots of red.

There are plans for it to open it up after the match like London broncos do after the match if they can do it that would be amazing.



I'm probably quite biast but to say I was impressed is a understatement, its the kind of venue "my salford" should be gracing if the players/ staff at the club don't get a lift from working there instead of the willows they are dead inside.



Felt totally at home where we need to be, if the club can't make a good go of this now they never will...

Which is the away end?

Got told buy the club shop yesterday that the North stand is the away end and the south stand is the home end