I can just see the players on the tuxedo princess on sat nite, revolving dancefloor... class..

And the following week the team news is "5 saints players out with twisted knee ligaments " I can see it now

Is the Tuxedo Princess still going?!?!

Thunder were due to play a Championship league game at that time on the Saturday. Since they share their facilities they have postponed the league game so they can have us visit them instead. I think it would be really disappointing for Saints fans to take a huff and not turn out to support both Saints AND Thunder (being a team that has survived inspite of the RFL in a real expansionist area). And on top of that, why can't people not just watch the silly FA cup in a pub in Newcastle in the afternoon then go to the match afterwards? Anyone would think these things are insurmountable.

I'm going up with some buddies to shop in the afternoon, watch the RL match then party on in Newcastle afterwards! Yey!!

Push and go with work for me.

Hope so, major older brother points on offer for me if I make it

Is it on TV ?

No

blah what a stupid time, i thought it would defo be sunday at about 2/3pm

Well, i'm quite happy with that. Would have preferred an afternoon on Saturday but can't have it all.

Mini-Ski now doesn't want to go, despite it being on his doorstep. I CBA with wasting holiday time/a favour of a colleague to visit the -end of the world, so will get home, watch the FA cup and maybe listen to it on the radio.

Thunder were due to play Toulouse at 18:00 on that Saturday anyway and as the stadium was booked have arranged the game for then. Saints were consulted on the kick off time and agreed. The time isn't the best for a number of people (I am involved with an amateur club who are due to play in Yorkshire that afternoon) but it has been arranged so thats that..... We are trying to bring forward our game so we can get back to Gateshead for the cup game.

Yes, FA Cup final, which Everton happen to be involved in

So what?

From my POV it's a fine time. Afternoon in Newcastle, to Gateshead for the game, night out back in Newcastle! Great stuff! Who cares about the FA cup when there is rugby league to watch!

Are you SaintDi on redvee? Just to avoid me having to give the same lesson twice.

How can some saints fans have the cheek to complain about having to go Gateshead for a 6pm KO on a saturday night, when Saints play most home games on Friday nights. The likes of Harlequins and Celtic Crusaders dont complain, they just get on with it and they do long distance trips every other week.

Besides id expect it to be the pefect excuse to have a night out in Newcastle afterwards.

and because it's everton the point is ....what !!!

Reading between the lines here, and taking a wild stab in the dark, I guess he probably means that there are plenty of Saints fans that are Everton fans as well.



Also I've heard a rumour that they are fond of a game of footie in the North East as well.

Can you imagine the outcry to the RFL if it was played at the same time as the FA cup final, and only 3 men a dog turned up!

Some of us do follow more than one sport and like it or not a significant proportion of Saints fans who do will probably support Everton. We don't get to many finals these days and I for one would like to see them play. It makes it significantly trickier for me to do that and go to the Saints game with the kick off as it stands and I honestly thought some consideration would have been given to the FA Cup Final and the proximity to Saints of one of the finalists, when a decision on date/time was made.

Gateshead International Stadium is a multi-purpose multi-use stadium and Thunder, as well as Gateshead FC are tennants. The stadium was booked (as I have said) or that time and date for a Championship game against Toulouse, Thunder have simply used a pre existing booking for that facility. Saints were consulted on and agreed to the fixture time.

I am sorry but as much as I realise it will affect our crowd I find it laughable that we should have taken a football final into account before organising the game. Perhaps Thunder have taken into account the fact that a lot of people in the NE will have amatuer games on the Saturday/Sunday and have catered for their own fans first. I have no problem with that, just as I have no problems with people that would choose to watch the FA Cup Final rather that travel to Gateshead (I myself have to choose between Thunder, Gateshead FC and Durham CCC at times - Thunder always wins tho!)

FWIW I hope Everton win the cup final

I understand what you're saying but I do think it may affect the crowd, but it does make sense to use an existing booking. I'm still working out the best way t odo it - are there pubs near the stadium likely to show the game? We're not exactly regulars at Wembley (Everton, not Saints!) so I wouldn't want to miss it.

The nearest pub to the Stadium is The Schooner, about 5 minutes walk. It is a smallish pub but is well known and highly regarded by the teams at Championship level. I am sure that Gordon and Debs could be conviced to show the game in return for a few people buying beer



There are also several pubs slightly further afield in Felling (1 stop away on the Metro) that I would imagine would show it.

Most pubs in Newcastle will also show it and Newcastle City Centre is only about 10 mins from the Stadium by Metro so there should be plenty of time to watch the game then travel over to the game.

Well said. There are some right whingers about this in the Saints group but not as many as may be suggested from these forums. There are plenty of Saints fans who don't give a damn about the soccer and will be jumping on a coach to visit your place come the end of May!

Surley Jammer picked this date, so he can go to Wembley to watch his beloved blues.... nice break for the big red one, go have a beer on me I say.

The schooner does excellent food aswell, I recommend it, I once had sunday dinner there before a game and it was superb. It also has a beer garden. I have no problem I telling you my 30th birthday bash last year involved going there before and after the game.

get a hotel and stay over!
1. get in a pub early to watch everton win
2. go to match and watch us win
3. go out after and get hammered
great weekend to be had

simples