Thanks, nobody ever said that about me before.

I can't think why not!

well Myself and Mrs G will probably take another walk around there tomrrow anyway so say hello if you see us

You could come the pub with me and saintsfan

I walked round for the first time this afternoon, I was so excited. I've loved following all of the fab photos, but today, just seeing it all for real was great. I was peeking through the gaps at the end of the gates like a naughty schoolgirl! I can't wait.

Some Pictures from today

the mysterious black panels over the reception


and I think the supports are all in place on the bridge







and a view from the other side of the Cannington Shaw Kiln

And a short video of them putting what I think is the last support on the footbridge

[urlhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXYltkEpYZE[/url

That is going to be an on-going problem. Pigeon droppings when being cleaned have to be treated as an hazardous material and the residue disposed of accodingly and appropriate PPE worn (I was involved in cleaning the old hangars ar Speke airport which were caked in the stuff). The way it is "splashing" up the glass is particularly bad.

These are the sort of tasks that make the management of a facility such as this splendid stadium a full time job for an experienced estates professional. I was suprised that Mike Rush has been given the role of stadium manager alongside his role as head of youth development. Surely they are both full-time roles? I presume Mike Rush is qualified in coaching rather than facilities management.

I finally went for my first walk around the stadium today.

Awesome. Just awesome.

And you didn't even ask me to join you.

Sorry cherub. I thought you'd be in work. Today was Monday and us layabout dolies were able to stroll around the grounds in awe while others slaved over a hot whatever, bringing in the tax revenue.

I was in work but I'm sure I could have slipped out just for you



Don't mention tax! It's nearly that time of year again

Will you two just get on and do the dirty deed, lordy me, the sexual tension is killing me!

As I heard it Mike's 'Stadium Manager' role isn't quite what the title suggests, it relates to game day management with respect to team affairs i.e. the facilities and equipment that the team will use is all available and ready for use, co-ordination with the kit men, medical and fitness teams etc etc.

So more like the team manager role that Radlinski does at Wigan? Makes more sense than combining coaching and estates into 1 job!

Pretty much yes.

Whats Tommy "the god" new job at the ground? I hear he finishes with his current employer in a few weeks to go into his new role at the Langtree stadium.

Will he not just be part of the coaching team? he has toured Aus with the academy.
He has been training kicking hasn't he?

I believe he's been employed in a counter-cheating role to pick up on all the tricks Sam Tomkins and the other SL players come up with. As Tommy invented most of them he's helping us avoid being caught out by them.

I remember reading somewhere relatively recently that he's taking on the u16s coaching for Saints? I might have misremembered but I'm sure that is what was said. He started out with Saints (in a coaching capacity) by giving kicking practice but he's gradually become more involved as time has passed. That he became involved at all was down to Mike Rush who approached him to help out with the kicking.

This weeks piccies to the newly named Langtree Park











like how they have put direction signage up as well, it gives a very professional feel to the stadium.





In THE KINGS CORNER brackets have been fitted to four of the big steel columns. It looks like a very big sign is going to be fitted here.
I also noticed something not quite right with this picture.



yes sadly it looks like the vandals have already started to attack our stadium. This is the SW Turnstile but the W has gone missing.



lots of work going on fitting out the shop



plenty of bike stands in the East car park for those who fancy cycling to the new stadium



A TV aerial, radio aerial, and satellite dish are visible on the South stand roof. Looks like we will therefore have Sky in the cafe bar



I took this picture of the phase 2 area, showing the huge amount of space that is yet to be re-reveloped



Barr/Langtree still have some offices on site. Presumably for site security



The bridge appears to have been un-built in the last week. In that the ribs connecting the arches to the walkway have been removed on one side.
It does however look like these arches have been painted.
Hopefully the removal of ribs from one side is not a sign of a serious defect





while i was taking these pics a posse of young lads were trying to move the perimeter fencing so they could get a short cut to the town centre by crossing the bridge.
I had to warn them that the fencing was in place because the bridge wasnt complete and therefore wasnt safe to cross. Luckily the lads headed my warnings and decided to walk round the ring road instead.

The W missing from the turnstile may not be vandals. It's not the first time that a letter has gone missing. It may be that they drop off. There are one or two poorly finished bits and pieces around the ground - you've pointed some out in your photos. It wouldn't surprise me if in their rush to finish the job on time, not enough glue was stuck on the back of the lettering to keep the letters fixed! Saints will probably have to invest in lettering secured by bolts and such like rather than stick on letters.

I'm sure, though, that vandals will be around sooner or later. It's unavoidable in St Helens.

some pictures of ours of Langtree park , I like how the place looks when all lit up











and the mysterious brackets it must be going to be one hell of a sign

Went for my first walk-round this morning,hugely impressive. The walls are a hell of a lot higher than I thought they would be,as are the turnstyles.
Cant wait for that first match!