---------------- today?
Spelly.
Your gaff closed for good ?
Your gaff closed for good ?
Yeah mate, and we've not played within the M27 postcode parameters since!
I've said it a millions times (including more than on a few occasions on the old Widnes board) how we went that day totally oblivious, that the ground had been sold, to a housing developer.
A shed-load of teams have "moved house" over the years, and the fans of all of 'em were allowed to witness the finale, knowing they wouldn't be going again, But the Swinton powers-that-be at the time, saw fit to keep it under there hats, and announce in the press a few days later that the bulldozers were moving in.
28 years, a generation, has past since that fateful day, but the hurt in the hearts of those who were stabbed in the back, is still there, and forever will be!
Are we / am I, out of order being / remaining being bitter?
Spelly.
Like my own enduring low regard for the behaviour and unending arrogance of a certain Mr Offiah, rugby-related grudges must be top of the 'life's too short' list. You don't need to be friends with the then-owner of the ground so could choose to let it go. But bitterness hangs about, doesn't it?☺
I get it a real grudge I have is that certain grounds in SL need bulldozing yet they all got a SL license and are still playing at them.
This SL obsession about new stadiums is incredibly shortsighted and modernisation isn’t always a good thing when it comes to a sport that has a main selling point of “traditionalism”.
Saints ground is fantastic, so is Wires and Leeds new development is immense. However, Stadiums like Wigan’s, Hudds and Hulls are too big for SL and lack a spirit and life.
Case in point, I like Castlefords ground, it can be extremely atmospheric. A few years we played them on a Thursday night and the crowd was 4,700 and yet it seemed almost at capacity. The night later, Huddersfield played on Sky, 5,000 specys 75% empty. What looked worse for SKY?
They all need to be realistic though. The 3 you mentioned are football grounds as well (First and foremost).
There is no point in Cas having a 20,000 seat stadium as they'd never fill it. There's not much money in league, but playing in stadiums that should have been condemned about 40 years ago is crazy.
If/when they move they should make it no more than 10k tops, maybe even less. Look at Widnes, never been full (save maybe a local CC semi final once or twice?). Highest Widnes attendance must only be 2/3's of its capacity?
This SL obsession about new stadiums is incredibly shortsighted and modernisation isn’t always a good thing when it comes to a sport that has a main selling point of “traditionalism”. Saints ground is fantastic, so is Wires and Leeds new development is immense. However, Stadiums like Wigan’s, Hudds and Hulls are too big for SL and lack a spirit and life. Case in point, I like Castlefords ground, it can be extremely atmospheric. A few years we played them on a Thursday night and the crowd was 4,700 and yet it seemed almost at capacity. The night later, Huddersfield played on Sky, 5,000 specys 75% empty. What looked worse for SKY?
Its my gripe lol. The stadiums where a so called criteria for a SL license yet they allowed shacks as stands. People want to be able to sit down and not pay a premium to do it in a dilapidated stadium. Stadiums where you have no cover from the rain and toilets flooded with urine on the floor is diabolical. Even the bees knees Emerald Headingly lets the away fans get pissed on when it rains. Don't get me started on clubs in SL that don;t have a stadium.
The best old stadium is Batley's.
This SL obsession about new stadiums is incredibly shortsighted and modernisation isn’t always a good thing when it comes to a sport that has a main selling point of “traditionalism”. Saints ground is fantastic, so is Wires and Leeds new development is immense. However, Stadiums like Wigan’s, Hudds and Hulls are too big for SL and lack a spirit and life. Case in point, I like Castlefords ground, it can be extremely atmospheric. A few years we played them on a Thursday night and the crowd was 4,700 and yet it seemed almost at capacity. The night later, Huddersfield played on Sky, 5,000 specys 75% empty. What looked worse for SKY?
Its my gripe lol. The stadiums where a so called criteria for a SL license yet they allowed shacks as stands. People want to be able to sit down and not pay a premium to do it in a dilapidated stadium. Stadiums where you have no cover from the rain and toilets flooded with urine on the floor is diabolical. Even the bees knees Emerald Headingly lets the away fans get pissed on when it rains. Don’t get me started on clubs in SL that don;t have a stadium. The best old stadium is Batley’s.
In defence of Leeds, I'm led to believe that they have asked to re-develop the "away" end at Headingley, but have been prevented from doing so coz of objections from residents adjacent to the stadium.
It does now have a "tired" look, as the remainder of the site is brilliant, and ultra-modern, but it appears that visiting fans will continue to be at the mercy of the elements for the foreseeable.
Spelly.
Maybe it’s just me but the headingly terrace isn’t ideal terrace for watching Rugby League, creates a great atmosphere compared to those huge stands at the desolate DW.
I fully agree, in 2009 stadiums were suppose to be the most important aspect in order to get a SL licence, yet they allowed two teams in SL with Derelict stadiums at the expense of Widnes and Leigh, who both possessed brand new stadiums. Rugby The Contradiction League.!!
They all need to be realistic though. The 3 you mentioned are football grounds as well (First and foremost). There is no point in Cas having a 20,000 seat stadium as they’d never fill it. There’s not much money in league, but playing in stadiums that should have been condemned about 40 years ago is crazy. If/when they move they should make it no more than 10k tops, maybe even less. Look at Widnes, never been full (save maybe a local CC semi final once or twice?). Highest Widnes attendance must only be 2/3’s of its capacity?
But Widnes, well the council beginning designing the stadium it was 95, in the late 80’s and early 90’s a 12,000 plus crowd at Widnes wasn’t inconceivable although it was rare therefore it would be madness to limit the stadium to 10k.
I agree, 6,000 in our current stadium highlights a lot of empty seats. In comparison, 6,000 at Wakefield and it looks almost full.
I’d rather be in a modern stadium with covered seating and decent toilets any day.
Only ever travelled twice to Wakefield Trinity. Once in the newish hospitality stand which was ok but the rest of the ground looked a dump. The second time I was in the open terrace - which confirmed my original opinion. Never made the trip since.
The stadium was designed in the aftermath of Hillsborough. All stadia were to be all seater anything less would struggle for approval. The maintenance of the old ground was becoming increasingly expensive and inevitably modifications were expected to improve safety, all costs on an outdated facility.
When you consider that our ground is 25 years old in design terms it stands up pretty well. Our sound system is certainly better than other, newer, grounds, and no speakers littering the pitch.
There were thoughts that representative fixtures could be held there but infortunately the artificial pitch is not yet approved. Who knows, if we play until Christmas we may be thankful that our pitch is playable when grass pitches aren't.
Yeah mate, and we’ve not played within the M27 postcode parameters since!
Alright Spelly,
Whatever happened to the Agecroft / Moorside FC plan
It just seemed to drop off the table...
They all need to be realistic though. The 3 you mentioned are football grounds as well (First and foremost). There is no point in Cas having a 20,000 seat stadium as they’d never fill it. There’s not much money in league, but playing in stadiums that should have been condemned about 40 years ago is crazy. If/when they move they should make it no more than 10k tops, maybe even less. Look at Widnes, never been full (save maybe a local CC semi final once or twice?). Highest Widnes attendance must only be 2/3’s of its capacity?
But Widnes, well the council beginning designing the stadium it was 95, in the late 80’s and early 90’s a 12,000 plus crowd at Widnes wasn’t inconceivable although it was rare therefore it would be madness to limit the stadium to 10k. I agree, 6,000 in our current stadium highlights a lot of empty seats. In comparison, 6,000 at Wakefield and it looks almost full.
Why is it? Why build something that would be full once or twice a year at best, especially when there is little money in rugby league. In fact in the 25 years since the stadium was built how many times would this have been an issue since? Probably twice? Now how much has it cost the council/Widnes to upkeep this extra space for 25 years?! (Or part of as I realise it hasn't been full capacity for the entire time).
I'm sure they'd much rather the problem of turning a few away once in a blue moon that the likely big extra costs for a stadium that is never fully utilised. Same should be done for any new stadium. Not like in 20 years time they're all going to have 20,000 people lined up to watch a match.
If you wanted the option of expansion eventually (Even though it is very unlikely/will never happen for almost all) just build 3 stands only that hold 10k.