Like most of us on here I'm a die-hard Saints fan, I go for the game itself and I've never really been much of a fan of the pre-match and half time entertainment "match day experience" I think was the term used to describe.

Then again I only live a few minutes walk from Knowsley Road, so I would get on about 10mins before kick off, chat to a few people at half time then go when game over.

Now at Widnes to allow for parking I'm usually in the stand about 30 to 40 mins beforehand so I have started to notice that the whole prematch entertainment thing is at best a bit drab or pretty much non-existant.
We have a bit of raucus music to welcome the mascot but I must admit I never notice him, the old St. Bernard used to clown around a bit with the ball and a helper before the game and with the dancing girls....even they've been missing the last couple of games.

The half time kicking comp isn't really enthralling.

I like the mini-rugby but thats about it.

I know most of you will, like me, be rugby fans and most probably not give two hoots about all the 'razzmatazz" but try and look at it as outsider.

If you were going to your first match as a guest of a mate or a sponsor there's not a lot to grab your interest especially if you've got kids with you.

Part of the plan behind the new ground has to be to grab new fans and appeal to a wider audience not just the die hards.

Any thoughts?

I think you are being a bit unfair to the mascot. When all is said and done the old mascot used to hog the limelight as much as possible whereas the new one is really good with the kids and puts a lot of effort into entertaining them ~ which is what he is there for, not to entertain the grown ups! I have noticed that this season he has made even the smallest kids happy and they really look forward to seeing Boots at the game.

As for the " cheerleaders" ~ apart from sorting out the evening fantasies of the saddo's, what did they actually do?

We go to watch rugby and the whole "entertainment package" is just peripheral to that.

Don't be so boring. If you don't want to see hooters girls with big jubblies you can read the programme.

Personally I'd like to see us go proper old school with the entertainment. We should have strippers with big jubblies pre game. At half time we can have the mini rugby and a hanging then the post game celebration can be fireworks and a barbeque.

I remember when we used to have people parachuting onto the pitch!

And fairy lights and fireworks. Those were bygone years when the club had ambition.

Only a woman would complain about cheerleaders





In general though the half time and pre match stuff is poor

Woah, nothing topped the disco balls in the Pop side.

I think one of the cheerleaders is pretty fit. Is the a website with them on anywhere?



Don't tell saintsfan I like one, she will only get jelous.

I am with Saddened, what is the point in the gymnastics squad we currently have. The lot we had before that pink poison lot couldn't dance in time but they at least had some "charisma".

Boots is pretty boring too. Watching that crossbar challenge is dull as dishwater too.

Set them on fire, shoot them out a cannon or get some circus animals (Roman) to play with them. Anything for a bit of entertainment at half time.

I like this idea. Especially the dancers, who can't dance or indeed keep in time to music.

The pre match "entertainment" at Featherstone many years ago was very good.

Yes,it quite often spilled over to half time and on the odd occasion full time.

I don't think we're talking about the same thing.