Thinks it's high time some of our ' beer experts ' got together to vet the Barton area hostelries ( purely for ressssearrch purposes ).

Bet the guys who flattened the Airport Hotel are having regrets.

not been drinking round Eccles/ Patricroft / Barton for some time so half the places have probably closed, but Liverpool st used to have alot of pubs.

The Bird In Hand
The Jolly Carter
The Packet House
The Dutton Arms
The Grapes
The Unicorn

don't know of any closer than these

I had an extension built last year and due to building regs had to have the land piled, an extra expense at the time I thought I could do without, however if I ever decided to increase to a double extension (single is what I wanted) all I need to do is take the roof off and build the second tier, (the rest is already in place) get my drift ??

If ever there is a waiting list for tickets they may raise the roof but I wouldn't hold my breath.

We have got the original box peel promised 10 or so years ago, when we opted to go it alone and build an "Iconic Stadium"

I think the amount of standing area in the stadium would affect chances of holding internationals at the ground and Saints wanted to be able to hold internationals. Originally our stadium was going to be all-seater but the fans protested and so a standing area was placed behind the sticks (and, strangely enough, the away fans get to stand behind the sticks too - bonus!).

Although I hated the idea of going to Widnes this season, not to mention leaving Knowsley Road, it's actually served a purpose. We've been forced into adjusting to a seated stadium and being without the Pop Side (as we called the standing side where the die hards would meet, and start the songs/chants off). The noisy fans have largely gathered in the East Stand, which will be the West Stand in our new stadium (the home standing area, behind the sticks). Some are also in the North Stand (the plebs fully seated stand, as opposed to the South Stand which is the toffs stand!).

You won't have the benefit of being weaned from your old stadium into your new and so it will be hard for you to adjust, especially those fans who have spent decades standing in the Shed. However, it won't take you too many home games to realise just what a dire place your old ground was and just how much of a difference it makes to have decent facilities. Widnes isn't the greatest stadium in the world but for us it is a major step up (we have toilet facilities, for instance!). To imagine going into a shiny new stadium with even better facilities is fantastic and we can't wait. Many of us have now moved on from Knowsley Road (which has now been demolished, with houses growing out of the site) and can only see the future in our new place.

It's tough to make the change regardless of how much people know it is needed, but you'll get there, and you'll make the new place feel like home over time.

I doubt it.

More than anything I'll miss standing down the side line. I hate it when we're away and have to stand behind the sticks. The view of the game is crap and detatched. Especially when the action is at the opposite end of the pitch.

Fungus, that's the debate we are having about next season, neither of us really wanted to stand behind the sticks but sitting isn't as good. Will probably go for the sides when buying the season ticket. That way we can always move to the standing bit.

I wouldn't have thought you'd be able to move from stand to stand? Or are you talking about transferring the book the year after?

I was thinking/hoping if I bought a seat ricket rather than a standing I would be able to stand if I wanted. I know I couldn't do it the other way.

The standinga rea won't be full initially.

I wonder if the club are hoping that many will take up the dearer sitting tickets in view of people having the same thoughts

It's all a matter of taste really, the standing area suits me down to the ground actually. It'll make leaving the Willows a little less painful (and I don't have to change my Turkey name either!!)

Would it be fair to say that the layout of the stadium, with regards to seated and terraced areas, has been decided without due consideration of the existing supporters? A case of giving them (the supporters) what we (the club, council, Peel) want them to have rather than what they ACTUALLY want?

Welcome to our world

The original plans had side line standing terracing for 2000. I think a big question is why the club didn't push for the seated areas to be in the main stand and both ends. They could then have seating along the standing side in phases 2 &3 ( if they ever materialize)

Who knows? There could be a dozen reasons - planning permission, design sign-off, slipped minds to do a fans consultation, haste as Red City Developments went belly up and the clubs plan disintegrated leaving no time to consult the fans.....? I'm just glad that the promise to deliver a new ground has been fulfilled (unlike some other clubs) and we have something shiny and new to be proud of next year.

What I do know is, that come what may, it doesn't matter where you stand or sit, all you need to do is make some noise!!!

There's some research somewhere that argues that being sat down in a stadia reduces the atmosphere. It's not as easy to sing etc... when sat down. And we all know the stewards won't allow us to stand up in the new stadium.