Hi i'm doing some research for my final year at university and would appreciate it if anyone would be able to answer these questions for me.

a) What does it mean to be a rugby league fan?

b) Has the relocation of stadiums changed this meaning?

Thans to anyone who is willing to take some time to answer them

Pretty much what Biscuit has said, but, I still hanker for the days of Wilderspool.
THAT noise from the Fletcher
How the team ALWAYS raised their game in the first 10 minutes of the second half, had we been losing at half-time, under Tony Barrow (again, THAT noise)
Changing ends at half-time
People actually watching the game
Walking down Fletcher Street alwats had a "buzz" to it.

I don't miss paddling through 4 fathoms of gypsy's kiss, should I wish to "pay a vist", though.

I'd rather clubs rebuilt their spiritual home than relocate.

+1 biscuits comments

If rugby league was played at Eton, maybe someone at the beeb would give it the same airtime as they give tennis & county cricket .... both of which (outside of Wimbledon & Internationals) are actually watched by lesser crowds than championship RL ......

Agree in some cases, as it would prevent us from having identikit flat pack stadia where the only difference is the colour of the seats. But then you wouldn't get Tesco paying for a stadium, or in the case of some clubs be able to make money from the sale of the land that the old ground used to occupy.

We are lucky in that the new stadium is in a prime location on the fringe of the town centre. The St James' Park of Rugby League if you will. Obviously this means there are dozens of pubs within a short distance, and none of the pre and post-match culture associated with going to the game has been lost. In fact it is probably better than at Wilderspool when only The Causeway was nearby. This helps to keep traditions alive, and makes it one of the best grounds in the country to go to, probably for away fans as well.

However some unfortunate teams like Salford have their new arenas built in the middle of nowhere, and attending games could seem like a soulless experience compared to their spiritual homes. This also applies to stadia built on retail parks as well

Exactly, and this is probably also one of the reasons for the HJ recently being granted glamour ties such as CC semi finals and internationals. The stadium itself might not be much to look at, but its location and proximity to mainline railway stations is what sets it apart.

Headingley is my other favourite ground, because although it's a couple of miles outside the city centre, it's in a built up area with numerous eateries and pubs full of student girls. Compare that to Elland Road, which apart from being a hole is in the middle of nowhere by the motorway.

Sometimes we take this for granted, and fans of other North West clubs must be envious of the Halliwell Jones, as they walk to their grounds past discount stores or sewage works, longing for a return to their old homes.

It's also near a small railway station with regular services to and from Leeds, although it's not as obvious which way the stadium is (keep getting asked for directions, especially with the Test game on recently) so they put up a map to it in the station.

Fair point, but if we're all being brutally honest who gives a rag about the architectural quality (or otherwise) of a stadium. Ours is clean and inoffensive, it didn't break the bank to design and build (meaning it's finished, and there are no wind-battered concourses, unlike Langtree), and easy to expand (we used to be shiite, but now we're alright...).
Some fans of other teams may mock our flat-pack, but I wouldn't swap our ground with any other in SL at the moment.

Why don't you do a survey monkey & post it on all the forums?

I've not done that because replies to other peoples posts gives me a better insight

From the outside the HJ is certainly not a Qatar world cup stadium, but on the inside I think it's one of the best RL grounds in the country (or at least will be when all four corners are done). It's close to the pitch, with a standing stand along the side (which I've always preferred and some Saints fans have even said their ground should have) and as you say all the benefits it has around it too.

shame you can't get a bus on a Sunday after 5pm

has moving to a new stadium changed the atmosphere for fans?
Have you noticed a difference when travelling to new away grounds?