Fully agree. The supporters have been crying out for our own clubhouse for twenty years now. By doing this it accomplishes two things:

1) Re-connection between club and supporters.

2) Increased revenue (okay there will need to be initial layout, but hopefully has been part of the refurbishment specifications). Many of the ideas I've laid out won't actually cost much to put on.

Who knows by doing this could increase our attendances again. So it's a win-win.

But something needs to be done (which it looks like it will), the worst thing in business you can do is 'nothing' and just hope people turn up to matches cause they always have done.

We do have a large % ageing fanbase so we are desperate to keep the young people rolling in.

I was thinking about our ageing fanbase the other night, got to expect that has and will comtribute to falling attendances. Said it many times on here and other platforms, the club need to engage with the fans far better than they currently do. It makes no sense at all how little effort they put in to do this, the fans are crying out for it!

Think the club should consider incorporating ‘Max’s Club’ in this area too if not already done so. I would like to experience the fans zone but the kids do enjoy Max’s Club too so it can be difficult to get to both at the same time.

There is space to do this in the actual building it self in the viewers area overlooking the 100 metre sprint .Been in there on Council meetings and can even get a bar in there it is a large area with adjacent rooms of it. In fact would make a perfect museum cum bar area .

Great idea, the club used to be in the North Stand when my lads were younger. Something else that gets the families in.

Went to the fanzone again before the game on Thursday, noticed a couple of improvements on the game prior which was good to see.

It seemed busier with glorious weather again allowing the fans to mingle under the arena stand (maybe word is getting out more).

A couple of streetfood vans (fish and chips, gourmet burgers), ice cream man was missing this time though? They had a young lad on guitar providing entertainment which was good plus fan competition (free beer as prizes).

Quite a lot of young rugby kids in their club colours (maybe they had a game on the field earlier on)?

One thing I did notice was that what I assume to be young Wigan Harriers athletes were running round the track in training, which seems to indicate that it's business as usual for that side of things and Wigan RL will have no impact on them going forward.

Will be interesting to see what pre match will be like once the cold nights hit and we are moved inside. The large glass front structure (reception?) was on view for the first time and looks pretty impressive.

Let's hope for good things.

It would be good if the club released a short video on their media channels explaining the work going on and the plans for Robin Park. The investment, how this will benefit the club, what facilities will there be in the long term - indoor fans’ bar, museum, restaurant, etc.

That, however, would involve them having to engage and be open with the fans and we know how much they hate doing that

I recall talks of open days for the fans so people can have a look around the new facility. That would be excellent and a good way of trying to improve engagement with the fans.

Im sure the club will be having a community fan day again pretty soon at Robin Park.

They usually have one each summer

It was meant to be next Saturday at the Wigan v Wire academy game, but that kick off has been brought forward to 10:30 a.m. to allow the young Wire players to attend the Wire v Hull semi final at Bolton.

I think it will now be on August 10th prior to the Wigan v Castleford academy game.

I took my four year old grandson on Thursday to his 1st game and we called into the fan zone, he really liked it. It'll be interesting to see how things develop when the arena is finally completed. I believe that will be in the next four to six weeks.

Wily Fox Brewery announced yesterday that they are ceasing to serve their ales at the DW after a two year period.

I really do hope that they commence trading at the Robin Park complex for a number of reasons:

1. Its good beer, some great craft ales. Rather than boring old Carling, John Smiths... Etc.

2. Supporting the local community, a small local brewery should be treasured.

3. Identification - Wily Fox have had 'Warrior IPA' on sale for a number of years. Which symbolised a Wigan RL beer. Went to the fanzone and they only sold Kingfisher.

I'd go one further and suggest the brewery create another lager beer and give it a nostalgic Wigan RL related name. The Riversider, 7inarow, 27nil, Cherryandwhite, Central Park...etc.

Saints have their own beer and we need to replicate.

In the grand scheme of things at Robin Park it's minor but all the little things help bring the club closer to the supporters which the club have identified needs addressing.

Quote: Rogues Gallery "It was meant to be next Saturday at the Wigan v Wire academy game, but that kick off has been brought forward to 10 I took my four year old grandson on Thursday to his 1st game and we called into the fan zone, he really liked it. It'll be interesting to see how things develop when the arena is finally completed. I believe that will be in the next four to six weeks.'" Now confirmed. https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2019 ... n-day-2019

Quote: Rogues Gallery "It was meant to be next Saturday at the Wigan v Wire academy game, but that kick off has been brought forward to 10 I took my four year old grandson on Thursday to his 1st game and we called into the fan zone, he really liked it. It'll be interesting to see how things develop when the arena is finally completed. I believe that will be in the next four to six weeks.'" Now confirmed. https://www.wiganwarriors.com/news/2019 ... n-day-2019