The new ground seems to be progressing well, so if everything goes to plan I assume we will be in there for the begining of the next season which most probably will be mid February 2012.

Obviously the opponents for the first home league game will be for the SL fixture people but we are likely to play a friendly match first in January or maybe over the Christmas period if the ground is ready by then

So if you had a choice would you go for a blockbuster inaugural home game against say Wigan or Warrington but maybe give away bragging rights for the first victory at our new home or a safer option say Leigh or Widnes.

I wouldn't want to go to a friendly there. It would make the first competitive match a bit of an anti climax if everyone had been before. I'd much rather we played our friendlies at our reserve ground in Widnes.

You will have to play a friendly of sorts there (health and safety, to test the stadium facilities), or limit the crowd for your first game. I think the Saints board of directors would prefer the first option.

St.George would be my pick

Don't think so - dire didn't at the HJ; I was there; it was against Wakey and it definately was their first game in the stadium.
you are right though, it was packed to the rafters and it definately was not safe due to the overcrowding.

Hand over is 23rd October then there have to be several games building up the attendance to get the safety certs.

If I was Eammon, given the huge losses from this season I'd be wringing every single penny out of the new stadium so I think it'll be down to profit not sentiment who/what is played there first.

Will St Helens Town be the first to play there?

IIRC they didn't make it all ticket, which would solve the problem.

I believe there is a covenant on the stadium that says rugby only

Wigoons will be the first game..........which means they have the opportunity of doing the double. The last derby win at Knowsley Road and the first Derby win at the new stadium.

Only if you think that matters.

I'd have thought Widnes could be a good first home game for you, probably an easy win, decent away attendance due to short distance and save Wigan for Good Friday and Warrington for later in the season.

I was talking to a St Helens town player a couple of weeks ago and he said they would be playing their games at the new stadium.

I think they played another game there first.
IIRC there has to be a game played at 60% capacity to check the systems.

I reckon it will be the next instalment of the "Karalius Cup" against Widnes as a bit of a thank you to them for letting us rule their place for a season.........

Also a good chance to welcome them to the Superleague.......

Also a good chance to win a trophy early in the season to put in the new Trophy room ...........Mind you hopefully we will have a couple of trophies to put in their from this season.....