St Marys - worst Premier league stadium?

[toe_punt]

I saw this drivel - apologies if this has been posted before - which states that St Marys is the worst of all the 20 P.L. stadiums.

 

What the hell are they smoking?

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1264641-ranking-the-20-premier-league-stadiums-for-the-2012-13-season

[Wiggles31]

Loftus Road is a better stadium?! Ridiculous article. Although I am no massive fan of our stadium it is certainly not the worst in the PL. Clearly written by some buffon. Craven cottage in the top 10.

[LVSaint]

A **** poor quality American sports website who have possibly never heard of half the teams in the league...

[Nigel=God-Poyet=Sod]

Craven Cottage at 9 is just simply laughable, as is us being below the DW stadium and their 2 supporters.

[danner]

Rarely fills to its maximum ??? wtf

[adrian lord]

What a **** article - the Emirates section has a photo of Highbury, tells you all you need to know about the quality of the journalism. All newly promoted and smaller clubs are at the bottom because they couldn't be bothered to research them properly! Old Trafford hasn't had a decent atmosphere since late 90s. Etihad? Emirates? Just what their criteria are is beyond me.

 

Wigan is utter ****e.

 

St Mary's is not great if we are honest, crowd too far from pitch and no character, almost a dog track could fit around the pitch. They imply it is not even a bowl by saying it has 'standard 4 stands'. I never saw a 5 stand ground!!!!

Edited 17 April, 2013 by adrian lord

[LVSaint]

Clearly written by some buffon.

 

Possibly, a good keeper, but clearly knows nothing about English stadia

[Olallana]

Article is from july, think they would re-evaluate that list now.

[Maggie May]

FWIW, I think the article is in that order based on the website's league predictions for this season. It's clearly a hastily written article by a staffer/assistant wiith zilch knowledge of football stadia in the UK, or football for that matter

[trousers]

Some of you are being very unfair...who, for example, knew that some of the premier league stadiums have grass pitches? A very informative article in many ways...

[ericofarabia]

Craven Cottage at 9 is just simply laughable, as is us being below the DW stadium and their 2 supporters.

 

Obviously our statue of Ted can't compere to a statue of Michael Jackson. Every stadium should have one tbf

[ericofarabia]

What a **** article - the Emirates section has a photo of Highbury, tells you all you need to know about the quality of the journalism. All newly promoted and smaller clubs are at the bottom because they couldn't be bothered to research them properly! Old Trafford hasn't had a decent atmosphere since late 90s. Etihad? Emirates? Just what their criteria are is beyond me.

 

They imply it is not even a bowl by saying it has 'standard 4 stands'. I never saw a 5 stand ground!!!!

 

The Blue (vein) Print for Man City's revolutionary 5th stand, to be named after legendary City hero Colin Bell ...... may I present The Bell End.

 

[September Saint]

Rarely fills to its maximum ??? wtf

Also "Newcomers to the Premier League"

I think that says everything about this so-called journalist

[Colinjb]

It's always going to be subjective.

 

If you are going on facilities, location and amenities St Mary's will always be at the top of the list. It is a perfectly functional facility right in the centre of the city it serves.

 

If you are going for atmosphere, intimidation and character. No, we will not be up there by virtue of the stadium being relative sterile compared to old heaps like Loftus Road.... and even our old Dell.

 

But that article is so terribly researched that really it makes no odds.

[Matthew Le God]

Rarely fills to its maximum ??? wtf

 

It was written in July 2012. Not sure why it has its own thread in April 2013.

[Golac's Iron Gonads]

When the author is that fit they can write what they want about Saints, don't bother me none.

[Turkish]

A brilliantly well written article from a talented journalist.

[red&white56]

Kathleen So, the author:

 

I am a: California Golden Bear, intern at Cal Athletics, D.C. sports fan, PAC-12 follower, Virginia native, & baseball/football enthusiast.

I am a student at the University of California, Berkeley. I am interested in Sports Broadcasting and Journalism. I'm hoping to develop my own style of writing while expressing my opinions on pro and college sports teams, athletes and events. I love football and baseball. And I have just started following ice hockey.

I was born and raised to be a Washington Redskins fan.

 

Doesn't sound like she's ever visited the UK let alone a PL football stadium (but I could be wrong).

[ToreSF]

nothing makes me cringe more than the bleacherreport.

[stardustonmyfeet]

Wannabe professional troll writes an article designed to create outrage in order to drum up extra web traffic.

[pingwing]

Out of interest but why does anyone like Loftus Road?!? QPR made exactly no noise when we went there, the facilities were on a par with Gillingham (apart from the luxury of a roof) and its in a stupid place... Plus the view was only good for about 5/6's of the fans.

 

Similar problem to craven cottage but at at least had very efficient beer guys at the bottom

[Miltonaggro]

Is there any way to publicly comment (or indeed mob) on this site. This bell-end is wasted in 'sports journalism' they should be writing science fiction!...

[Elias]

It's just written by some teenage American girl who knows nothing about 'soccer'. No need to pay much attention.

[Turkish]

It's just written by some teenage American girl who knows nothing about 'soccer'. No need to pay much attention.

 

dont knock it, she'd fit in well on here.

[Turkish]

nothing makes me cringe more than the bleacherreport.

 

I didnt see too many people cringing about the one the other day that said we were the rising stars of Europe.

[ToreSF]

I didnt see too many people cringing about the one the other day that said we were the rising stars of Europe.

 

I did.

[VectisSaint]

It's always going to be subjective.

 

If you are going on facilities, location and amenities St Mary's will always be at the top of the list. It is a perfectly functional facility right in the centre of the city it serves.

 

If you are going for atmosphere, intimidation and character. No, we will not be up there by virtue of the stadium being relative sterile compared to old heaps like Loftus Road.... and even our old Dell.

 

But that article is so terribly researched that really it makes no odds.

Based on what I read it would seem that if we were still at The Dell we would probably be near the top of the list. Much as I loved The Dell that would be so wrong.

[angelman]

I think that we all know that SMS, and other stadium such as Leicester's, fit a certain model that isn't the best in the world. At least the view is unobstructed from anywhere in the ground. But to me, I don't really care. I look more towards how much our new stadium cost, compared to others.

 

SMS cost a total of £32m (or £1k per seat). Ethiad cost £112m (£2.3k per seat not that ManC paid for it), Emirates £390m, although I have heard figures of up to £600m (£6.5k per seat), DW £30m (£1200 per seat) etc etc. So I have no complaints. A brand new stadium, which might be lacking a certain je ne sais quoi, but one that was affordable-ish.

[VectisSaint]

Is there any way to publicly comment (or indeed mob) on this site. This bell-end is wasted in 'sports journalism' they should be writing science fiction!...

Yes, just go to the site and click on the Comment icon (next to the number which currently is 45 that shows the number of people that already commented). Would be a bit futile now given the article is nearly a year old, and someone from Saints has already pointed out most of the inaccuracies.

[This Charming Man]

If she had ranked it at No.1 everyone would be banging on about what a great article it is and that it's great we're getting mentioned overseas.

 

Though on a more important note, I would smash the granny out of it.

Edited 17 April, 2013 by This Charming Man

[JPTCount]

written by a girl in california....

[Saint Fan CaM]

Well if this is not the impedus needed to extend the stadium to 75k seats and add a radio station, I don't know what is. Next they'll be criticizing our world-class catering FFS.

[Barry Sanchez]

Lets be honest our ground is functional but has the charisma and atmosphere of a new build estate on a sunday, Pride Park or the Stadium of Light was the way to go not the Riverside or the Walkers.

The Premiership is gash for atmosphere.

[Andre]

troll

[This Charming Man]

Lets be honest our ground is functional but has the charisma and atmosphere of a new build estate on a sunday, Pride Park or the Stadium of Light was the way to go not the Riverside or the Walkers.

The Premiership is gash for atmosphere.

 

The Walkers was built after ours and Pride Park and the Riverside are virtually identical.

[Miltonaggro]

Yes, just go to the site and click on the Comment icon (next to the number which currently is 45 that shows the number of people that already commented). Would be a bit futile now given the article is nearly a year old, and someone from Saints has already pointed out most of the inaccuracies.

 

Cheers Vectis, will do my worst ;-)

[Saints foreva]

Well it is a boring bowl with no character.

[This Charming Man]

Well it is a boring bowl with no character.

 

Agreed there.

[Barry Sanchez]

The Walkers was built after ours and Pride Park and the Riverside are virtually identical.

 

My point being is the Walkers, Riverside and St Marys are all the same, Pride Park has some variance ie the roof higher on one side and also one side different and tiered to the others.

[alehouseboys]

Lets be honest our ground is functional but has the charisma and atmosphere of a new build estate on a sunday, Pride Park or the Stadium of Light was the way to go not the Riverside or the Walkers.

The Premiership is gash for atmosphere.

 

Derby...

 

 

Boro...

 

 

Little difference between any of the ones you listed (Sunderland before expansion), all the others constructed by Barr.

[This Charming Man]

My point being is the Walkers, Riverside and St Marys are all the same, Pride Park has some variance ie the roof higher on one side and also one side different and tiered to the others.

 

So does the Riverside.

[Elias]

Derby...

 

 

Boro...

 

 

Little difference between any of the ones you listed (Sunderland before expansion), all the others constructed by Barr.

 

I don't believe that photo of Middlesbrough's ground is real. It needs 2/3rds of the ground to be empty seats.

[Barry Sanchez]

So does the Riverside.

 

Well put the Riverside in there then? Our is still bland and about as exciting as watching Terry and June.

[Sour Mash]

Well put the Riverside in there then? Our is still bland and about as exciting as watching Terry and June.

You think Pride Park is a better ground than St Marys? In what ways would you change it? WHich grounds have you been to in the last 4 or 5 years that have a better atmosphere?

[Barry Sanchez]

You think Pride Park is a better ground than St Marys? In what ways would you change it? WHich grounds have you been to in the last 4 or 5 years that have a better atmosphere?

Yes Pride Park is a better ground than St Marys.

Goodison

The island dwellers

Bramall Lane

Off the top of my head.

Edited 17 April, 2013 by Barry Sanchez

[Sour Mash]

Yes Pride Park is a better ground than St Marys.

Goodison

The island dwellers

Bramall Lane

Of the top of my head.

In what way is Pride Park better than St Marys? It is in the middle of one of the dullest retail parks you could ever see.

 

What changes would you like to see to St Marys?

 

Which game was that at Everton? Only time we've played them in the last 5 years was this season and they were compleely silent. Not played at Brammal Lane for five years either. Skates are about the same as us for derby games, both loud.

[This Charming Man]

The one thing that separates our ground from all the other new ones is the location. Imagine having to do what Reading and Brighton fans have to do every game. B*llocks to queuing for buses and taxis, so glad we're just a 10min stroll from the city centre.

[Saint Garrett]

Yes Pride Park is a better ground than St Marys.

Goodison

The island dwellers

Bramall Lane

Off the top of my head.

 

Lived in Sheffield for four years, and 'supported' them when I did and safe to say the atmosphere there is absolutely pathetic. Even their own fans who I knew a lot of, said it was dreadful.

[The9]

My point being is the Walkers, Riverside and St Marys are all the same, Pride Park has some variance ie the roof higher on one side and also one side different and tiered to the others.

 

Riverside was built as a U with a large standalone grandstand and only filled two corners in after a season or two, a completely different build and process (which thanks to the same construction company just makes it look like Derby - but not St Mary's).

 

Saints also can't be held responsible for Leicester choosing to have a similar design AFTER we built St Mary's. Pride Park has a large corporate area on one side and that's why that stand is bigger, and the colour schemes do a lot for the "differences" between the grounds anyway. Due to that I'd say Doncaster's stadium is probably most like St Mary's, just with the back 20 rows missing. Though the smaller stand does mean the cantilever supports aren't visible.

 

Edited 17 April, 2013 by The9

[buctootim]

Calm down, you guys need to pick and choose which websites you give creedence to. This iosnt the BBC or the PL website, itts just the witterings of a Californian teengager who has probably never been to one of the grounds, let alone all 20.

http://bleacherreport.com/users/866364-kathleen-so