Goodbye, Knowsley Road

[RedVee Admin]

Seeing as we have a thread devoted to the birth of the New Stadium, I thought it only fitting that we also say a fond farewell to the Old Lady as she gently bids goodbye to the St Helens' landscape.

As with the New Stadium thread, this thread will allow those who are not regularly in St Helens to follow the progress of Knowsley Road as she transforms into a new home, for many families.

Everyone is welcome to contribute their pictures to this thread but I do ask that they are your pictures, taken with your own camera. Please don't pinch any pictures from any other websites. (likewise, if you spot any of my pictures elsewhere, please let me know).



Goodbye, Knowsley Road.

[RedVee Admin]

It was widely anticipated that this was the final day for the Old Girl, everyone expected the bulldozers to arrive with venom on the first working day of 2011. With this in mind, I headed off late afternoon to catch her final sunset. Just wish I'd remembered my stepladders to shimmy up the wall and get a better view of the Popside...

[RedVee Admin]

A full ten days has passed and seemingly nothing has happened at KR. Then word spread quickly - a JCB was on site. As it turned out, they were collecting soil samples rather than flattening the place. Whilst I was there, the GPW signs were also removed from the front of the club.





All Sports, remember them? As we can see, something must be going on due to the doors and windows being open but it sure seemed eerily quiet.

[RedVee Admin]

I got a bit nostalgic too. Way back in the late 70s and early 80s, Monday after lunch at school meant everyone piled onto a coach, three to a seat, with a butch woman driver who took us off to Boundary Road baths for swimming lessons - which meant driving past Saints.

Why mention the driver? Because she seemed to take great pleasure in hitting the Dunriding Lane bridge at great speed (all the youngsters are now saying, bridge?). This means that one of my fondest memories of KR is seeing the place just seconds before being hurled violently out of my seat.

Nostalgia then took me to Doulton Street and the view of KR that meant it was Sunday, Dad's car was parked up and we were going to the match!

[RedVee Admin]

FIRE!

RedVee lit up late Thursday evening, KR was on fire! As it transpired, the Fire Service were indeed called to tackle a fire at KR late on Thursday evening but not knowing the extent of it, I headed down to KR on Friday morning wondering if my previous photos would be the last memory I had.

She was OK, for now, but the JCB was back in action.

[RedVee Admin]

Just to add at this point, a few pics taken by Sceptical Ste last weekend, which he previously posted in another thread:

[100% Saint]

Good pics they are, I believe they'll be taking those tree's down at the front before they touch the stadium. I thought they would of kept them for tbh.

[Sceptical Ste]

Some more photos from last week.

[saintollie]

This is all very sad, I just want to see the old girl gone as quickly as possible, not protracted death throws.

[Saint]

A fantastic thread, thanks for the pictures.

I went up there the other day and found it a surreal experience now it is unoccupied.

The building is obviously intact but I couldn't help but feel that the spirit had left the place. Maybe a bit OTT but it wasnt totally unlike viewing a loved one's body before burial.

KR had its problems and was no longer fit for purpose, that much is obvious, but I'm still devastated that we won't be going back there. What a beautiful old place it was.

[ploughman]

A fantastic thread, thanks for the pictures.

I went up there the other day and found it a surreal experience now it is unoccupied.

The building is obviously intact but I couldn't help but feel that the spirit had left the place. Maybe a bit OTT but it wasnt totally unlike viewing a loved one's body before burial.

KR had its problems and was no longer fit for purpose, that much is obvious, but I'm still devastated that we won't be going back there. What a beautiful old place it was.

I pass the ground a couple of times each day.What you say about the ground 'losing its spirit' is exactly right.Even when it wasn't a matchday,there was plenty going on at the ground.Now it's derelict,empty and waiting for the bulldozers.I really wish they would get on with the dirty job of levelling it and put us out of our misery.I hate seeing the stadium as it is now

[The Chair Maker]

Looks like some blood has been spilt in this pic. Check out the floor just below the gate, a nice bog slodge of red stuff

[Syd]

Cunningham Grange, nice touch indeed.

Good pics, sad to see the auld bird left all alone.

Has all the seats been removed ?
The pitch taken up ?
Is it open to just walk around and nosey ?
Can I still book the function room for my 18th birthday party in July ?

[1saints1]

KR as id like to remmember it!

[Agent Mulder]

I thought someone said we were taking the big red V sign with us to the new ground. Wonder who will have the floodlights.? I know one lower division club are having one of our turnstiles I remember reading that in the press.

[wardies love child]

I thought someone said we were taking the big red V sign with us to the new ground. Wonder who will have the floodlights.? I know one lower division club are having one of our turnstiles I remember reading that in the press.

Can't see much being reused as it's current state but melted down and recycled.

[Wanderer]

I thought someone said we were taking the big red V sign with us to the new ground. Wonder who will have the floodlights.? I know one lower division club are having one of our turnstiles I remember reading that in the press.

I think it's Oldham who are having the turnstiles, isn't it? Is it Oldham who have just recently bought that tiny little 'stadium'? If it is then it's they who are having the turnstiles. But since the big red V sign is still up then I assume it's not going to the new stadium as the keys have been handed over now.

[Wanderer]

Looks like some blood has been spilt in this pic. Check out the floor just below the gate, a nice bog slodge of red stuff

Delightful!

I would imagine it won't be long before the place gets seriously vandalised.

[100% Saint]

Delightful!

I would imagine it won't be long before the place gets seriously vandalised.

Looking at the pics it seems like its already been vandalised.

[RedVee Admin]

Looking at the pics it seems like its already been vandalised.

Don't you mean has been for years? Why else do you think the club preferred Friday night games, i.e. in the dark?

[saintbibby]

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[Gruntfuttock]

quite eerie pictures there mate but beautiful all the same

[Two Wheeled Saint]

Is it right that they are using the undersoil from KR at the new gound ?

[The Verminator]

The pictures in the snow are absolutely amazing. Brought a tear to my eye it has. By the way, how did you get in?!

[Two Wheeled Saint]

That is all going to take quiet a bit of clearing.