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Post by osrd on Feb 2, 2022 14:01:52 GMT
As a very long standing supporter of the Reds driving past the AJ Bell last week I noticed the crowds going up to the stadium for the Sale game, it looked a good sized crowd with shuttle buses going to and from the stadium towards the Trafford Centre and the Makro car park, the Airport car park seemed to be full as was the lay by further on. The same again today when I was coming past the stadium on the way home, and I switched on ITV and watched more or less the full match, I was more interested in the size of the crowd, which looked at between eight and ten thousand, with each stand nearly full. My point is, could someone please explain how a ground that is supposedly miles away from anywhere, with poor transport links, no atmosphere, poor parking, not near any pubs attract such a crowd ? PS I have heard from someone who was in one of the boxes, that the hospitality appear almost fully booked For the second time this week, I have been approached by people I know who had queries about how the club were doing at present, I explained the current financial situation, the plans that the club has for the future, the squad that we have assembled on the money that is available, the academy and reserves set up, the community work being done,I even mention the links with Wales Rl and Ghana RL. Both the said virtually the same thing, that the problem is that the AJ Bell is the problem, no atmosphere, poor transport links, too few pubs etc. I asked when was the last time the visited the stadium and which team were we playing, both replied that neither had been to the stadium but “It’s what we have seen on social media” One was a Bolton Wanderers fan, the other a Man United fan. I asked if if the last time they watched either the Wanderers or United were Nat Lofthouse and Johnny Carey playing. who were querying |
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Post by steveh on Feb 2, 2022 15:33:26 GMT
Yes, people can say that moving from the AJ Bell stadium is a backwards step, moving from a decent sized, modern stadium to a ground that's a small step up from a non-league stadium. I agree it's not an ideal situation and I wish we could stay in the stadium that was to be our long-term home after we moved from the Willows. However, I'd rather take that backwards step than watch Salford go bust within a year when the club is required to pay full rent on a stadium which we rarely fill to more than a third of it's capacity.
Initially we need to find the funds to make the necessary changes to the ground and get the deal right with the Council on the rent. if we can then get the concessions right so that we earn actually earn profits from food and drinks sales, merchandising, etc. then it may be a way to not only keep us alive but to slowly build up to the point where we are a successful team and can afford to look in to improving what we have got or building a new stadium.
Sometimes you just have to take a step or two backwards so that you can reset your sights on where you want to be.
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Post by osrd on Feb 2, 2022 17:09:49 GMT
Yes, people can say that moving from the AJ Bell stadium is a backwards step, moving from a decent sized, modern stadium to a ground that's a small step up from a non-league stadium. I agree it's not an ideal situation and I wish we could stay in the stadium that was to be our long-term home after we moved from the Willows. However, I'd rather take that backwards step than watch Salford go bust within a year when the club is required to pay full rent on a stadium which we rarely fill to more than a third of it's capacity. Initially we need to find the funds to make the necessary changes to the ground and get the deal right with the Council on the rent. if we can then get the concessions right so that we earn actually earn profits from food and drinks sales, merchandising, etc. then it may be a way to not only keep us alive but to slowly build up to the point where we are a successful team and can afford to look in to improving what we have got or building a new stadium. Sometimes you just have to take a step or two backwards so that you can reset your sights on where you want to be. I agree 100% Steveh. |
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Post by JJR on Feb 5, 2022 16:18:17 GMT
Moor Lane pitch waterlogged; match off. Back to the good old days, beating St Helens 2-0.
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Post by robin on Feb 10, 2022 16:54:22 GMT
Hull kr Wakefield and now Cas have started upgrading grounds with help from local councils and businesses; sadly we’re downgrading…if it ever goes ahead. Lots of Championship clubs Leigh Widnes Newcastle York etc have better grounds than we’ll have Reality is we seem to be moving in the wrong direction and others the right direction Not being negative just facing facts. Worrying for the future, and we don’t have the income of a Beaumont Koukash and others. Heard our Sponsorship guru has left While Castleford and Wakefield (and i believe Featherstone) have received council grants to upgrade their grounds, it is an entirely different scenario at HKR. They are buying their ground from the company acting for the council thus transferring from a leasehold into a freehold. The Chairman and BOD's are also buying ground surrounding the stadium and have plans to upgrade the stadium both in the short term and long term. |
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Post by JJR on Feb 10, 2022 17:22:45 GMT
Good go ahead club, with vision, Hull kr. Done v well since the million pound game.
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Post by JJR on Feb 19, 2022 13:41:18 GMT
Moor Lane waterlogged again.
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Post by mauricethered on Feb 20, 2022 17:59:18 GMT
Parking and getting into the ground was a shambles today, one car park attendant taking money. Will be glad when we move.
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Post by johnh1 on Feb 20, 2022 21:09:57 GMT
You think that Moor Lane will be better for parking?
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Post by JJR on Feb 20, 2022 21:50:23 GMT
As you say stupid queue to get in the ground. Coffee and beer queues at HT ridiculous
FT got first for a coffee, the guy had warm water for two, undrinkable, then had to go and fill his urn up, so to speak
Really is a shambles. We were going to pay, as we’re a few others, in the restaurant, but there was none. Missing a trick, everywhere full for a Sunday lunch.
In essence we’ve already left the AJ as we seem to be cutting down on services, but we couldn’t have played at Moor Lane anyway. Bleasy and Rowles seem to be developing another good team but nowhere decent to go and play.
The hype about Moor Lane may be stirred up but I meet lots of folk not going to get a season ticket down there, and not interested in the place. In realistic terms we seem to be heading towards a third rate stadium probably just about Championship standard. Not being negative just pragmatic when you look at the facts. And of course the Board can say ‘the fans chose it ( so that’s us off the hook)’ and we gave them 3 other options ( actually only 2 as Bury gone): not. Great team forming with poor playing facilities, no training facilities, no offices, no parking but maybe good beer , hot coffee and a restaurant of type. Seems to me that’s reality, sadly.
If you look around lots of towns, never mind cities they have Community Stadia , Salford have Poor Lane. But good rugby team.
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Post by bigfish on Feb 20, 2022 22:06:52 GMT
I don’t really see any other viable options to Moor Lane though? It’s pretty much either go there or we fold! I find it crazy that people are going to just desert the club because we have been forced to move due to the fault of previous owners! King and Blease are doing amazingly well and we need to back them as we go into the next era. If Cas can still be playing at that hell hole there is no reason we can eventually make Moor Lane into a decent ground
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Post by bigfish on Feb 20, 2022 22:07:30 GMT
I don’t really see any other viable options to Moor Lane though? It’s pretty much either go there or we fold! I find it crazy that people are going to just desert the club because we have been forced to move due to the fault of previous owners! King and Blease are doing amazingly well and we need to back them as we go into the next era. If Cas can still be playing at that hell hole there is no reason we can eventually make Moor Lane into a decent ground *can’t |
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Post by JJR on Feb 20, 2022 22:28:37 GMT
I don’t really see any other viable options to Moor Lane though? It’s pretty much either go there or we fold! I find it crazy that people are going to just desert the club because we have been forced to move due to the fault of previous owners! King and Blease are doing amazingly well and we need to back them as we go into the next era. If Cas can still be playing at that hell hole there is no reason we can eventually make Moor Lane into a decent ground I think the question is..’how did we get in this position in the first place? im amazed at what Bleasy has done with both Watson and Rowley..the rugby has been sensational and when we got into a real pickle somehow he worked with the Doc to get JH to save us and when the Doc got us into the £1M Game somehow Watson drew a rabbit out of a hat But a good rugby team needs a good ground and I’m sorry Moor Lane has had numerous teams on there over the years,lots of people I know have played rugby or footy there. Salford FC have done wonders but drag in few speccies . Now they want to leave because they’re playing footy on a 1960s style pitch. Floodlights/ pitch /parking / too low a capacity/ lack of training , offices…sorry I can’t see where this leads. Re the development it’s a silk purse, sows ear for me. Cas Wakey Hull kr all have space with parking facilities and now have seed corn money to develop their grounds. Moor Lane hemmed in,,,,have a look. Reality beckons We need an ambitious direction/ plan with Moor Lane at best as a stop gap. Are we an ambitious SL team or still a team desperately and continuously clinging on for survival? |
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Post by bonitared on Feb 20, 2022 22:30:11 GMT
I don’t really see any other viable options to Moor Lane though? It’s pretty much either go there or we fold! I find it crazy that people are going to just desert the club because we have been forced to move due to the fault of previous owners! King and Blease are doing amazingly well and we need to back them as we go into the next era. If Cas can still be playing at that hell hole there is no reason we can eventually make Moor Lane into a decent ground Wilky poured in loads of his hard earned cash,plus his heart and soul, but the AJ Bell was a mistake ,brought on by a justifiable fear of the RFL kicking us out of the league if we didn’t. Koukash inherited the problems,again threw millions at it and did his best to generate more interest but ultimately failed. I know I’m just restating the facts. As regards Moor Lane,it is what it is and can’t be improved that much. Criticism of the board is complete bollocks. They’re spending the money on the team and doing their best. Giving us the options was never about deflecting blame from them,it’s about demonstrating what the dilemma is. We have no money nor a benefactor |
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Post by JJR on Feb 20, 2022 22:39:59 GMT
I always keep wondering why the Club pushed Marwan finally away, what is the plan to generate money and who’s responsibility that is. Or do we just try and survive for ever or until the 1 a 100 wave hits us?
Just cant see the ambition beyond survival. Or is that all we have?
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