Not sure that is the issue here as the front rows always are liable to getting wet depnding on rain and wind direction. In fact the roof looks like it has a better overhang than widnes or even OT.

I think the problem (I assume you are talking North stand here) is potentially rain coming in from the back and or west - hence the assessment that cladding was needed at the back; now shelved on cost grounds apparently. So you might be out of the frying pan and into the fire unfortunately with your seat near the back.

That's why I got in the south. It's nice and dry providing the roof don't blow off.

Our shiny new ground clearly has some secret admirers (at least from some angles): www.rotherhamunited-mad.co.uk/sn ... ndex.shtml And apologies if these "similarities" have already been pointed out on here (what with the link being 7 months old and all), but I didn't see those posts and only just found this page randomly tonight and it's all new to me. So ner.

Our shiny new ground clearly has some secret admirers (at least from some angles): www.rotherhamunited-mad.co.uk/sn ... ndex.shtml And apologies if these "similarities" have already been pointed out on here (what with the link being 7 months old and all), but I didn't see those posts and only just found this page randomly tonight and it's all new to me. So ner.

Ok well to get back to last night , some pictures I took , I didnt get many, I was enjoying myself too much to remember to take them

Mrs G and a friend



Me and the same Friend



This guy got a great round of applause and the dancing wasnt bad either









North stand filling nicely



N and S stands full for the game





couple of flags we could see in the N stand



Saints entering the field



and one during the match



overall we had a great time last night,really looking forward to the Salford game should be a cracker COYS!!

Or build the ground down here in Somerset, where it is always hot n sunny. The Somerset Saints, has a nice ring to it, don't you think???

Some pics i took from the friendly

Turnstile queue for the South and West stands



North stand bar queue



South stand including Murphys bar, nothing unusual queue wise here.



Some pitch side piccies









The West terrace looking packed in the cladded South west corner



The North stand with the West terrace in the background. Its noticeable that safety barriers are visible in the North West corner of this stand. Looks like people all decided they wanted to stand in the better protected part of the ground



Widnes speccies



panoramic from the North stand



Now onto the Saints way. Showing what i think is a dangerous level of crowd congestion

hellfire it wasnt that bad when we came out , mind you we spent about 20 mins in the shop

That was like the queue for a pint before the game !

when we went in the queue at the pop side bar looked quite long but as I dont drink I didnt try

Next time, have a look around. At some points there were no queues at all. You don't have to buy from the bar in your stand you know!

I did look at the other bars and the queues was huge all around the stadium as nearly everyone I know has said and nearly everyone on here as posted.

As I've said, that will get better as yet get used to working there.

Don't think so after Friday's experiance!

Why not? The amount of water might be down to the prevailing wind. If it is a windless night but raining, with the corners clad the rain might not encroach on the concourse.

But if it is windy then it will be wet. We can't just hope it's not windy when it rains.

Well no, not necessarily. If the corners are clad then that might be sufficient to protect the North Stand from the effects of the prevailing winds, regardless of whether the North Stand itself is clad.

I'm considering adding the C word to the swear filter on here.

B[ia[/irmcake is in the swear filter, go for it.

That's very corporate of you!

good idea though, if i never hear the word c------- again it will be to soon

I'll definitely be clad when it's all over

I sent an email to Saints over the weekend with some positive and negative feedback re. the stadium experience and received this response today.

[iHi Philip,

Hope you are well.

The match was a great benefit to the club and fans as it shows us what we need to do ahead of the Salford game.

The fans now know where they need to go for a beer etc and we know things need fixing.

We will be looking at the PA - it's difficult to know how it will function with a full crowd - but we know now.

The West Stand will be cladded first, followed by the East Stand. This should prevent the wind ripping around the ground. We will then assess if any further work is needed.

I am glad on the whole you had an enjoyable experience.

Mike Appleton
Media Manager[/i

Spoke to Eamonn today, was at Saints for something unrelated and bumped into him.

Basically, He absolutely agreed about the problems with the cladding and water issues but a few things he mentioned should answer some questions.

a ) I pointed out we are all proud of the achievement, mainly due him, and that we are reporting issues as we want the stadium to be the best in the league, nay country, and that he understand fans comments on the issues related to the stadium, and is thankful for them.
b ) The club are waiting for reports about the problems from both the broken roof and the Widnes game to be prepared over the next week or so BEFORE cladding is installed. It will be done though once the paperwork is completed. This also negates a possible press release or club statement on the construction work done and needing to be done.
c ) We need to be patient, as H&S and the above reports take time to put together and get agreed etc.
d ) A possible reduction of capacity for the Salford game to 17,000.
e ) The list of problems will be looked into by staff at the club.


The conversation was in no way a meeting and lasted no more than 5 minutes, Eamonn was HAPPY to talk about the C word, I didn't have a list of issues or time to go through them with him, and I would think that still needs to be coordinated.

oh also, whilst I think on, there will (for the salford game initially) be no movement between stands, it was apparant that people bought South Stand tickets only to stand in the west stand (bizarre as its cheaper to buy in the west) this won't be allowed for the Salford game.

Eamonn seemed pretty sad with this as he envisaged movement possible between stands to allow for people to meet up at half time, walk around freely etc.

I read this post on redvee and may have knee jerked with my post. You could interpret Eamonn's response re the no movement between the stands to mean just that and that you can still walk round the concourse but not enter another stand/terrace. What was your take on his response? Again I'll say the simple solution is stewards checking tickets. Whilst it may be a ball ache at first people will soon get the message that they can't migrate between stands. I feel the concourse must remain open as it is this feature that distinguishes LP from the rest. If we can't control this then god help us.

My take on it is simply for the Salford game you will not be able to enter the stands you do not have a ticket for, for THATS GAME ONLY for now, whilst they sort out the whole situation. I'm sure you can understand the need to do it short term for H&S reasons?

This may JUST be between the south and west stands, but might include the others, it wasn't discussed further than my own position in the south.

As I say, Eamonn in no way stated that he wanted the concourse to not be open, just that he is taking is cautiously to start. I think it's the best way.

Are there bars/food outlets and toilets under all the stands? If so then there is no need for spectators to go into other areas for which they have not paid.