While I'm not a fan of RU at all, I have played both codes and watched both codes. I'm reminded of a story my Dad was telling me about going to watch Sale at Edgeley Park, years ago when I was out of the country working.

A neighbour of his had got free tickets to see Sale V Leicester at the time where the likes of Jason Robinson was tearing it up. He agreed to go on a really poor night where it was lashing down. As they were queuing to get in there was a cheer from the stands, apparently someone had scored. He then proceeded to watch what he said was the dreariest, unexciting eighty minutes of Rugby he'd ever seen. Missing the games only try after nipping to the bog.

Regardless of this, he said the fans and spectators were the nicest people he'd ever watched a sporting event with. Chatty, knowledgeable, and very friendly.

Having grown up watching RL even I can see that, although RL fans are on the whole friendly sorts, they are not entirely welcoming either. I think a lot of it comes down to Northern tribalism where we're segregated into pigeon-hole communities with their own identities. This is not me having a go at that, just the way it is. As a kid I grew up in Stockport, and when I went to play for Oldham StAnnes I almost had to put my whole body on the line to be accepted into the Oldham community. Once accepted as one of their own, you get to understand as an outsider, that the community and the RL mentality go hand in hand. I can see it to a lesser degree with RL fans on the terraces. As an outsider trying to become part of a settled and old system, in a sport born and forever associated with politics and the history of the Labour movement, it can be hard to feel part of it. Or at least to be welcomed into it.

I suppose it depends on the person, after all, there's plenty of us hardcore supporters that are not Salfordians. It maybe good for us as Salford and RL supporters to be more amicable and open to those making their first tentative steps to our great game.

So you never went to the Willows, but you're willing to slag it off so readily? I'm guessing you've never been to Wheldon Road, either (that's the proper name for the ground you've even got the sponsor's name wrong for) but feel fit to slag that off.

There's nothing wrong with Wheldon Road. There wasn't a lot wrong with the Willows. The roof on the Shed could have been re-done, the terracing in general needed repointing and, yes, the bogs needed sorting. But they were all things that could have been done quite easily with modern technology. I believe plans were even submitted to the club for a re-designed Main Stand, brought closer to the pitch, with better changing rooms and up-to-date press facilities. The problem was that the club had seemingly decided they wanted out of Weaste, no questions asked.

I'm not someone who believes in the corporate ethic of sport. I don't like the idea of traditional supporters being squeezed out in favour of those willing to pay double the current asking price for a ticket. I also can't grasp the notion of people only going to watch a team because of the facilities or "experience". I go to watch the sport and the team I support. That's the same for those of us who go week in, week out and have done for years. Face it, if it was all about the facilities and experience then none of us would ever have bothered in the first place. And every lower league club going, be it league, union, football, cricket or any other sport would have no spectators at all. Funnily enough, that's not the case. I wonder why?

No one is harking back to a working or sporting utopia. I don't think anyone has claimed such a thing exists. As for idea of a club rooted in the community no longer existing, what utter nonsense. Look at clubs' community initiatives. Look at the increase in supporter involvement and ownership in football. You average person wants to watch a club that they feel a part of, not some corporate monstrosity that rolls on like a money machine without giving much of a toss about the average punter.

A lot of people have drifted away from Salford RLFC because they no longer feel a part of the club. Whether that's because of the way in which the club was run in the last few years Wilkinson was in charge, whether it's because we're in a shiny, box-like stadium that's located out on a limb, whether it's because people are fed up of rash promises from the current regime that aren't backed up by what happens out on the pitch ("this will never happen again"icon_wink.gif or any other reason you care to think of, it isn't because the club need to target people who don't like the traditional matchday experience, people who would prefer to spend 30 to 40 notes to sit down rather than stand, or those that think watching Salford would be better if the 2,000 of us who have been here through thick and thin changed all of our ways.



It may also help if those new to the game didn't start off by going on the attack towards existing supporters who've helped keep the club alive. I'm not a Salfordian and I'm a 'fairly' new convert to the sport (2002), but when I was brought along I was never made to feel unwelcome by anyone.

By the way, by my understand, Salford get nothing for beer and food sales, something which has been confirmed a few times before. So buying a beer or three doesn't make the club any more viable. It puts more money in the SMC's pocket instead.

Hey, I was just making a single point about something. I wasn't casting a huge blanket over everyone and everything Salford. Which is why I said it depends on the individual and I can understand why SOME new people COULD struggle to feel welcome. Some will probably fit right in, but not everyone is the same was the point I was trying to make.

I know, I know. I was just responding to your single point with one of my own. It does help when you have people who bring you along in the first place, but someone who's new to the sport and club coming in all guns blazing doesn't do themselves any favours in the "feeling welcome" department. There's a whole discussion around the reasons why people don't come, which we've been over and over countless times before. This latest can of worms seems more like a red herring, to be honest.

Sorry, I'm double posting a lot recently, but I've just found this: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=577431&p=18007643#p18007643 So - people shouldn't complain at £19 for a Challenge Cup tie and people like him paying more money are who we need to be looking at, but £20 for a charity game in support of a murdered man's family was "crazy?" I'll leave that there and slink off (he's been at it on the VT, too)...

Sorry, I'm double posting a lot recently, but I've just found this: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=577431&p=18007643#p18007643 So - people shouldn't complain at £19 for a Challenge Cup tie and people like him paying more money are who we need to be looking at, but £20 for a charity game in support of a murdered man's family was "crazy?" I'll leave that there and slink off (he's been at it on the VT, too)...

And there I rest my case!

I very clearly stated I didn't have the opportunity to visit, I clearly said from what I read and I also said in my opinion is is to do with attitude towards people like me who enjoy the game and would like to more but feel a bit exiled when I have went and GT pops up with an incredible attack on someone stating their thoughts as if It is my fault.

GT typifies why I could easy attend more but don't, the previous poster made some points that struck home, apart from assuming I wasn't part of the labour movement. While I may not always vote Labour until rececently I was the regional convenor for 5000 unison members.

Maybe it is because I don't yet get all the rules in RL as opposed to union, maybe my downfall has been to ask those sat beside me why that and not this, but if that is the issue, I am instantly cast as some RU posh boy (with a N Irish accent) and assumptions made. Surely they must be more like me, and if RL wants and should grow you need to grab them! Make them feel at home, make them want to buy a season ticket for that seat?

To be fair I have never felt unwelcome at a Salford game, just never felt that welcome either.

Just sidle across to row Q in the west stand, sit with me & Hillbilly Red, we'll make you more than welcome and HBR will delight in explaining the rules (being on of the few in the stadium that knows them having done his coaching badges & ref certificate).
Just maybe, choosing to go in the "posh" seats has had a bit of an effect in colouring your view of the experience (FWIW I too could have made that choice but didn't)
Oh, and if you fancy doing the ale-trail to Huddersfield with us on Good Friday you'd be very welcome.

Can I just add that some people pay extra and opt for the posh seats, not because they themselves are posh or don't want to be in the South stand, but because they may have ailments that placing themselves elsewhere in the stadium would aggravate, resulting in a not too enjoyable experience, not just for them but also for those around them...

Remember the "so called" posh seats also have the added benefit of allowing spectators to be able to watch from inside the vip bar if/when sitting on the padded seats becomes uncomfortable.

Standing in the South stand does not make you a better supporter, nor does being Salfordian for that matter - saying all that though, I truly do miss The Shed

Cheer, might well take you up. My first few games I sat in the stand, but it was comments made that I decided to try the posh seats, not other way around. In fact first game I watched I was in the south stand. Maybe I just attract a certain type.

Hang on. GT was expressing his opinion too. You are on a forum after all. But if it makes you feel any better, have these with my complimentshttp://www.inspireafire.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/olive-branch.jpg" >







Hope to see you at many more Salford matches.

Never suggested otherwise. Nor would I slag off anyone in the "posh seats". Plenty of my mates sit up there. I was in the VIP bit last game. Enjoyed it, to be fair. Was good to see the game from a different perspective.

Kiyan - I wasn't out on the attack, merely defending a section of Salford's support and history that you seem to want to dismiss. A club can run itself as a business whilst still keeping the connection with the community, something that is vital to the survival of any club, particularly rugby league clubs. If having a differing opinion and wanting to respond to someone having a dig at two traditional rugby league grounds and their view on traditional RL fans (alright, "some" tradition RL fans) is so out of order to you, then you probably will struggle to fit in. Calling it an "incredible attack" is quite something.

Can I also remind you that your first post on this thread was an attacking one, being extremely dismissive about someone else's opinion.

And finally, Salford have said they get no money from the catering. The SMC have not listened to feedback from a few about the type of food and drink they want to see on. It works both ways... I notice the food in the VIP section is quite good, though, so your target audience is being looked after better than the rest of us already.

I think if any of us went on a Sale forum in a similar manner, we'd get short shrift.