Looking forward to Friday : Wed May 02, 2012 6:47 pm  

Hey Saints fans

Hope you're all well,

Really looking forward to the visit on Friday & was just wanting to know a few "inside facts" before I make the trip over on the WTW armada.

First of all, where does the coach drop off? Outside the ground or at a park & ride like the HJ?
Second, and most importantly, are there any boozers close by? Always enjoy the banter with Saints fans, especially Jonny Vegas- who've I had the pleasure of meeting because of RL!

Anyways I hope to be able to extend the same sort of heads up in a few years when we move into our new build, keep your eyes open around the end of June for the FINAL CALL on that. But that's another story.

I have a signed 2006 St's shirt (as I've always had a soft spot for you lot & Longy was a personal hero- yeah I know!!!) although I don't think I'll forget I wear blue with my red & white!

Good luck for the rest of 2012 & I look forward to meeting ya'll in your new gaff on Friday!

Hope someone can give me some good advice on watering holes!

Trinitarian

Re: Looking forward to Friday : Wed May 02, 2012 7:19 pm  

TrinitarianWF2 wrote:

First of all, where does the coach drop off? Outside the ground or at a park & ride like the HJ?

We have a unique arrangement apparently. It's called 'park and hike'. The coach parks at some random industrial estate and away fans have to hike to the stadium, apparently for about 20 minutes. I think just about every set of away fans so far who have come by coach have complained at the arrangements so don't be surprised if you find yourself unhappy. If you have any disabled folk on your coach, call Saints as if you are lucky they may be dropped off closer to the stadium. (Mind you, that might also depend on whether you get a jobsworth steward directing operations or one of the nice, amenable ones!)

Second, and most importantly, are there any boozers close by? Always enjoy the banter with Saints fans, especially Jonny Vegas- who've I had the pleasure of meeting because of RL!

I can't answer that if you're coming by coach as I don't know that side of town. But for fans travelling by car and parking up at the Chalon Way multistorey (the one recommended and signposted from the M62 link road into St Helens) the nearest is the Glass House, which is just across the road. But if you wander the deserted town centre (avoiding the skateboarding youths) you will come across other pubs.

I am sure there will be other, more knowledgeable posters on here to give advice on the watering holes.

One other hint: come dressed for winter. So far we have been warm at only one match. Langtree Park has its own microclimate, due in part to the three backless stands. It's a bit of a wind tunnel. If it is raining and the wind is blowing in a certain direction the concourses could be wet so wear non-slippy shoes too, just in case! However, if it is warm and dry on Friday evening, the stadium is a joy to be in.

Re: Looking forward to Friday : Wed May 02, 2012 7:50 pm  

the coach "park" is about 1/2 mile maximum from the ground, probably more like 5-600 yards if it takes you 20 mins to walk that, try a gym!
As for pubs, unfortunately the stadium is inbetween the coach "park" and the town centre so unless you're drinking at the stadium, its a longer walk for a drink

Re: Looking forward to Friday : Wed May 02, 2012 8:10 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

the coach "park" is about 1/2 mile maximum from the ground, probably more like 5-600 yards if it takes you 20 mins to walk that, try a gym!
As for pubs, unfortunately the stadium is inbetween the coach "park" and the town centre so unless you're drinking at the stadium, its a longer walk for a drink

Where Is the coach park?

Re: Looking forward to Friday : Wed May 02, 2012 8:17 pm  

Don Brennan wrote:

Where Is the coach park?

its that little industrial park behind Polar Fords, on the way to sherdley park with the Dulux centre on.

Re: Looking forward to Friday : Wed May 02, 2012 8:27 pm  

If that's the price I had to pay (let alone away fans!) to get us into a new stadium I'd crawl on broken glass to be where you lot are! I like the look of your new ground & hope it lives up to expectations.

Have you guys settled in yet? After 25 years of watching RL at BV I think I'll struggle to feel at home in our new ground, even though it's something we desperately need & wholeheartedly want. For those unaware we are waiting on the results of a public inquiry, the ground is funded by an assosiated development (an industrial park mainly) which is on land currently classed as greenbelt, although that classification SHOULD be removed any day. IF we get the green light it's fully funded by the developer and will be owned/run by a community trust. All being well we will be in by the start of 2014/end of 2013 if things move to plan.

Anyway I'm doing the coast to coast cup final week so 20 mins shouldn't be an issue.

Will check out the watering hole across the way if it comes recommended!

Re: Looking forward to Friday : Wed May 02, 2012 8:32 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

its that little industrial park behind Polar Fords, on the way to sherdley park with the Dulux centre on.

Ta.

Re: Looking forward to Friday : Thu May 03, 2012 5:23 am  

For a drink before the match just go into the Founders bar found at the front of the stadium next to the club shop it's for away fans aswell and not expensive, with plenty of bar staff

Re: Looking forward to Friday : Thu May 03, 2012 10:19 am  

the coaches park on Sullivans Way ( WA9 5GL ), as said not a long walk from the stadium, its probably closer than any of the town centre carparks. No boozers nearby though.

Re: Looking forward to Friday : Thu May 03, 2012 10:27 am  

TrinitarianWF2 wrote:

If that's the price I had to pay (let alone away fans!) to get us into a new stadium I'd crawl on broken glass to be where you lot are! I like the look of your new ground & hope it lives up to expectations.

Lower your expectations a little and then you will not be too disappointed if the weather is bad, but today is nice so far, so you may be okay!