I'd say you need to review the Friday night game policy while you are at Widnes as well.

£26 pounds + travel costs to and from Widnes is really pushing it in an economically deprived area. I think part of the problem is that on the back of nearly two decades of plentiful income sport (rugby and football especially) has prospered immensely. But it has also fallen into the trap of thinking that surplus cash will ALWAYS be available in households for non-essential products or services. How many SL or EPL chairman were around the last time we experienced the kind of economic difficulties we face now (comparable to anything we saw in the 70s and perhaps beyond)?

Many families in the St. Helens area are living right on the limit - often with two people having to work to pay the bills. For them £30 including petrol each week (more for away matches) is simply unjustifiable.

What latitude the club has to set prices within the expenditure framework I'm not sure. Probably not much. But either way I think we're likely to see a significant drop-off in attendances across the board this season in many sports.

Wigan put on free transport to the ground for that match. Whereas Saints fans have to pay to get to Widnes.
That more than evens things out imo re the extra distance involved for you pies.

Financial matters are also impacting on fans, especially with thousands of jobs being lost in the region, allied to price inflation.

The rising cost of petrol has ruled me out of going to Leeds next Saturday, and will probably put paid to any away ventures the other side of the Pennines this season.
Historically ive gone to as many away matches as my work commitements allow.

Very much so, its even harder to get to the game on time so some people will take the easy option and just not go.
Also, my own belief is by playing all our home games at night when we are still effectively in winter, contributes to many an injury (not warmed up properly, not warming down properly either).
I'm not saying its why we have such a terrible injury record, but it could well be a factor.

We have no choice in that one unfortunately. Widnes play on Sundays. I don't know when Everton reserves train, perhaps on Saturdays? That's the problem with having housemates: compromises have to be made. It means we can't play when we want to.

the pricing is comical, £25 in the north stand is ridiculous, but not as mad as a mate of mine who had too pay £19 for his six year old son!

So potentially a family of four with transport and program, drinks etc could cost over a £100 every other week.

Also I don't know why wire fans are so concerned about attendances, we took 6000 fans to Widnes last night, whilst on the same night Warrington and Wakefield combined only managed to muster 5000 fans.

26 quid is a disgrace under the circumstances, with only 6000 on not many people must of got them 4 year season tickets.

It is embarrasing, as we had over half of last nights attendance in last years home game versus Quins.

Somebody needs to lower their prices.

Pathetic Attendance for a Club considered one of the super powers, just goes to show how fickle you lot are. When things get tough you all abandon ship. Shameful day for St Helens.

Of course that pricing may be a direct reflection of what Halton Council is charging Saints to play in the stadium, especially bearing in mind that Saints will have factored in the Saints-fan mentality of not travelling further than the local pub to whatch their team get mullered. Sorry, I mean play.

Please remind me. Why is it that we call it the Wigan Walk?

Perhaps he should get his son a junior season ticket which wouldn't be much different than going to a couple of matches. Although offhand I am not sure of Junior Season ticket prices for the North stand. The East stand is about £35 pounds I think.

What was the Castleford crowd against Catalans tonight?

We havn't got a ship, we are rentees like the Wigoons.

4400 I think, shocking.

thats a bit rich coming from a pie i remeber several yrs back wigan was forced to play a home game at widnes cause the wendyball was playing and your attendance was only around the same figure , and lets not forget the saints specs will be doin this for a full season so please take off your cherry & white tinted glasses , ps im not a great lover of saints either but they have always been slow to starters to a season and they will there or there abouts come october

The Wigan v Bradford game was a first round play off game and you know it. The attendances at those games are always down on the league games as all spectators have to pay ( no season tickets)

I presume Saints decided on the pricing policy for Widnes, and may have to do a re-think otherwise losses for this season could hit around £1 million.

Monday - Saturday at Finch Farm, Halwood, Everton's training ground.

[url=http://www2.halton.gov.uk/stadium/content/events/evertonreserves/Everton Reserves and Ladies fixture list@ Stobart Stadium[/url



[url=http://www.saintsrlfc.com/tickets/page/445SUPPORTERS can save £3 by buying their ticket in advance![/url

F*** me even the club & supporters club have arranged buses to get you to & from Widnes on matchdays.

Alternatively, you could get yer crayons out and write to league express letters page.

And no wonder the convicts call us whinging poms!

Saving £3... means the ticket is still £23 and those buses you point out cost £4 (if i'm not mistaken), £4.20 for people getting the bus off of their own back rather than through the club, most coaches are about £4 too.

So, outings to home matches for people in those stands are still costing a minimum of £27, £7/8 more than at Knowsley Road.

Welcome to some of the problems faced by QRL in attracting support in regards to cost for many of the supporters who are spread over the South East of England. It won't be long before we are on equal terms, look at the figures from Cas, Cats game.

BINGO.

Playing the long game. A purpose built stadium in a town centre location with all mod cons awaits. Cue improved attendances (a la Halliwell Jones, KC Stadium) and improved club revenues from gates, hospitality, merchandise etc.

It's going to be painful for a while, but worth it in the long run.

Boo f****** hoo. What where you expecting to pay 7/6d and a few whippets for tickets??

Have a word with Eamonn McManus and his fellow directors. Their pursuit of the holy grail of a Superleague title whilst taking their eye off the ball regarding superleague stadium criteria is the reason you now squatting at Widnes.

Why swear? Because your previous post has been proved to have no point? That's mature, well done.

Try reading the rest of the thread, where most people have made good points as to why attendances are down this season.