It cuts both ways.

You would think that a bigger stadium with more people in it, and two corners filled in, would make for a better atmosphere.

However, providing extra room for people to spread out could make an atmosphere harder to generate.

I think in the long run, provided crowds continue to improve, the atmosphere will get better.

On a related note, the atmosphere would be a lot better if people actually paid attention to the game. Someone above noted the mass of teenagers who turn up and just text/chat etc (and I agree with this), but for the past few home matches I have been stood in front of two middle aged men who do nothing but talk all game and it is really quite annoying.

~I really feared someone picking up on this. So I left it. Please, let us not descend into how The Sun is and attempting to stir up controversy.

The simple answer to the original question is NO. Rugby fans are a different breed to those of the Wilderspool days. Many of the new generation of supporters are either the children of those older fans, or a lot of kids coming along for something to do at the weekend because we are winning. Added to the fact that the whole basis of the HJ was that it was a family stadium whereas from my memory the Fletcher End was "where the boys met (no offence ladies) for the rugby"

Can the HJ create its own atmosphere? Yes, of course it can...but it doesnt start with brickwork, drums, singers etc.............it starts on the pitch.

Can anyone answer this question -

Our capacity was cut from 14500 to 13024 after one match.
It was obvious that there would be some teething problems at the first game, but actually on that first night there were spaces at the back of the south stand, and so I was suprised and disappointed that they didn't review this after a year and re-apply to the authorities to edge it up to 13500 initially, and when the club had shown that this was 'safe' then take a decision about going higher without the need for an extension.

I honestly believe that 13500 would be reasonable before any extension.

Was there no approach made to do this?

Don't get me wrong - I'm all in favour of the extension and capacity increase and hopefully it'll mean it's filled not just when Saints and Wigan come to town as it couldn't be justified on that basis alone.

Im sure the club probably review their capacity each year but why worry about getting all the red-tape sorted just for two games per year (Wigan and Saints). Who knows what hoops the club will have to jump through for an extra 500 spaces? Part of the timing of the building is obviously aimed at the 2013 World Cup bid and not necessarily just for the current games (which probably average just under 11000. Another thing to bear in mind is that even-though the stadium has not sold out this season, the south stand has sold out 4 occasions IIRC.

As for spaces at the back of the south stand is concerned, they still exist every game....its just that some supporters will either a) not move up to fill them or b) not step out of the way when somebody else wants to fill them.

Raymond/Des/Keith the Beef/whoever you are. This post has summed you up for what you are. You simply cannot compare that night with even the potential for what happened at Hillsborough. I got in the ground after the walk from Wilderspool with about 3000 others at about 7.30pm. I had no trouble getting in the ground. The first game at any ground will always cause a problem. You seem to specialise in posts that mean to create a sensation. Did you complain to the club? Did you get your money back?