Sale Sharks v L. Irish at Reebok Stadium

[TRF_Olyy]

Just been announced that the Sale/Not Nots match in April will be held at the Reebok Stadium.

NOt sure how succesful that'll be,
Massive amounts of empty seats at sale (average attendance around 6500) - that in a 24k seater will look pitiful. They're going to have to price the tickets VERY well to get numbers in (is Bolton known for it's rugby fans?)

 

[Teh Mite]

Bolton has rugby fans. They all watch league and hate union.

An odd choice to move to a big stadium unless it was around Paddys day; The only teams likely to bring fans to Manchester in great numbers are Tigers, Saints and Gloucester (in that order).

Is this because of fixture congestion with Stockport County or just as a money spinner?

 

[tinchy17]

Why the hell did they choose Bolton of all places?

 

[munstermuffin]

Not great planning as it's doubtful Sale will be on hunt for top4 and should be safe so will fans have interest

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Money spinner (though SCFC hate Sharks and everything associated with them - despite not realising that the money Sharks bring in probably keeps the dump that is EP open )

I really don't understand why they're doing it, especially for L. Irish.
Maybe against one of the other northern teams, so it's easier for them to get to if the tickets are cheap, but if the tickets are <£10, the travelling costs aren't going to make a load from Reading make the trip

 

[munstermuffin]

Would Sale ever move out of EP like as you say Olyy the place is dated

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hopefully. There has been some talk of them moving, but then Brian Kennedy (the guy who 'owns' Sale Sharks) has hinted that he wants to improve/redevelop EP
The "Sale" in thier name is only for show, as they haven't been actually in Sale for a while now I'd like to see them move to somewhere with better facilities, no idea where, but EP isn't...the nicest. They've sorted the pitch out over the summer (though it's yet to have a rainy match on it, so that could just return it to it's usual brown slop) but the rest leaves a lot to be desired

 

[munstermuffin]

Yeah when we were there with Munster the last yime it reminded me of old thomond park where it pure run down and close

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I've just read that the Reebok is being considered as one of the stadiums for the RWC when it hits England, which is why they're having this match there

 

[tinchy17]

I've just read that the Reebok is being considered as one of the stadiums for the RWC when it hits England, which is why they're having this match there

How interesting

 

[munstermuffin]

That'd be an interesting one as I thought Old Trafford would be the stadium considered in that area or would that be too big.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Would've thought the same,
Maybe they aren't expecting massive crowds for the group games,
Also, i bet Old Trafford costs an absolute bomb to use

 

[Teh Mite]

Consider that Wembley costs Saracens something like £450k every time they rent it, then imagine how much the Glazer family are likely to rip off Sale extra.

 

[munstermuffin]

Would the RFU not offer to foot bill if it is a test for a possible World Cup Venue. And Old Trafford is used for rugby league final isn't it

 

[Teh Mite]

The RFU won't do anything to help a premiership match! Good God man! :lol:

Nah, it's not a testy as there's been plenty of rugby there in the past; Argentina 'hosted' England there last season, and as you say the Super League final is regularly there. It's already got the international "5 star" rating, so no "testing" is required. Plus the fact, this is a Sale Sharks money spinner, so the club wouldn't want to loose their cut needlessly by RFU oaring. Especially as Manchester isn't likely to bring in massive crowds unlike London, so the 30,000 Bolton stadium is a much smarter option then somewhere like Old Trafford (which don't forget is the 2nd biggest Stadium in the UK).

 

[munstermuffin]

So when Sale play at Reebok and Sarries at Wembley they pay the bill themselves.

That strange like the IRFU are footing the bill for game in Aviva saturday and well I know it all one organisation in a way here in Ireland but just thought the RFU would be similar.

 

[Teh Mite]

Nah, the Clubs are independent from the union.

 

[jaffka]

I've just read that the Reebok is being considered as one of the stadiums for the RWC when it hits England, which is why they're having this match there

Where have you found that out?

I thought the stadiums chosen were:
Twickenham
Wembley
Old Trafford
Millennium Stadium
Emirates Stadium
St James' Park
Anfield
Elland Road
St Mary's Stadium
Ricoh Arena
Welford Road Stadium
Kingsholm Stadium

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Sale Sharks press officer person posted it (i think) - however I may have just imagined it :s

Edit: Reading into it, it was just a random post on another forum, ignore that then

With Wembley being chosen as well though, that holds 8k more than Twickers doesn't it? Wonder if the RFU want the 8k extra tickets sold, or the history/tradition of twickers

 

[munstermuffin]

Why use the Millenium stadium when there plenty of good stadiums in England without branching over to Wales