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:

[JasonofSuburbia]

http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/8...ch_demolition/

I thought it was supposed to start on 3rd January?

[Wanderer]

Seemingly not.

[The Chair Maker]

http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/8...ch_demolition/

I thought it was supposed to start on 3rd January?

Thats what was initially mooted.
looks like things have been delayed somewhat.

[Wanderer]

Thats what was initially mooted.
looks like things have been delayed somewhat.

Either that or the January date was just speculation. I don't ever remember reading or hearing anywhere about demolition plans for January. I think it was assumed that would be the case.

[mister chuffy]

Good riddance.

[Two Wheeled Saint]

Would it be worth, when they are moving the undersoil for the new pitch, turfing up the playing pitch and re-laying it at the new ground?
If it takes, would it not be better than trying to grown new?

[Murgatroyd]

http://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/8...ch_demolition/

I thought it was supposed to start on 3rd January?

I was told a couple of weeks ago that there would be no demolition for quite some while and that Saints could have used the ground for another season.

[RedVee Admin]

Except they'd have to spend another fortune on ensuring it hits safety standards, whereas playing at Widnes costs the club nowhere near the same amount of money.

[CHANNEL22]

Except they'd have to spend another fortune on ensuring it hits safety standards, whereas playing at Widnes costs the club nowhere near the same amount of money.

I heard somewhere that it was costing over £250,000 a year just to keep up with safety standards.

No point throwing good money after bad and I bet moving to Widnes gives us more in Corporate money (and therefore more total income) than KR did.

Top line vanity. Bottom line sanity

[Paul Newlove]

I was told a couple of weeks ago that there would be no demolition for quite some while and that Saints could have used the ground for another season.

I don't suppose it matters now but would we have been charged rent if we didn't own it and would probaby have had to maintain it also? It is a shame really that the leaving of KR/moving into new stadium hasn't gone hand in hand. It will wrankle with with me slightly if KR does stand for the rest of this season as I personally would have stayed if possible however having been to Widnes today there will be a lot who would prefer it for a season I imagine.

[wardies love child]

I don't suppose it matters now but would we have been charged rent if we didn't own it and would probaby have had to maintain it also? It is a shame really that the leaving of KR/moving into new stadium hasn't gone hand in hand. It will wrankle with with me slightly if KR does stand for the rest of this season as I personally would have stayed if possible however having been to Widnes today there will be a lot who would prefer it for a season I imagine.

Would not surprise me in the least. House builders have land banks(Morrison aka gallifordtry who are doing the bridge to the ground have nearly 4000plots yet to build estates on) Which is basically as it states. They just purchase land and develop it when convenient and prices to sell are best. KR may well be dropped and the land stay undeveloped for a while. I think the hype the ground may make it happen sooner than later but I would think a slow build would happen. The current housing Market is dire with the uncertainty of jobs etc.

[Geoggy]

Would not surprise me in the least. House builders have land banks(Morrison aka gallifordtry who are doing the bridge to the ground have nearly 4000plots yet to build estates on) Which is basically as it states. They just purchase land and develop it when convenient and prices to sell are best. KR may well be dropped and the land stay undeveloped for a while. I think the hype the ground may make it happen sooner than later but I would think a slow build would happen. The current housing Market is dire with the uncertainty of jobs etc.

According to this page the first homes are due to be ready in Feb 2011, so I think we whould see some movement soon, if this page is correct and up to date etc

http://www.taylorwimpey.co.uk/newhom...ninghamGrange/

[Reacher]

I drove past today and stopped on the Crispy Cod car park. I then hopped on the tree stump that Saint Crusaders mentions and had a look. It is truly weird to see it in it's current state. I looked at my little 5 mth old lad asleep in his car seat and thought how he would never be able to stand where his grandfathers did. I really wish he could have come to at least one game with me.

[shabbashaz]

I drove past today and stopped on the Crispy Cod car park. I then hopped on the tree stump that Saint Crusaders mentions and had a look. It is truly weird to see it in it's current state. I looked at my little 5 mth old lad asleep in his car seat and thought how he would never be able to stand where his grandfathers did. I really wish he could have come to at least one game with me.

Although my son has only been to one game at KR, I'm so glad he has. It was the Warrington game when Longy done the drop goal to in the last seconds. So it was a good game to go to. Just a shame he won't see anymore games there.

[retro74]

I drove past today and stopped on the Crispy Cod car park. I then hopped on the tree stump that Saint Crusaders mentions and had a look. It is truly weird to see it in it's current state. I looked at my little 5 mth old lad asleep in his car seat and thought how he would never be able to stand where his grandfathers did. I really wish he could have come to at least one game with me.

I know what you mean. I took my 5 year old daughter with me to the academy GF so she would at least have some photos in the ground. She's not into rugby but you never know in the future.

I've been down to the ground three or four times since they started demolition. Walked all the way round last time. Very surreal experience

[foozler]

I think I read previously that someone had managed to get hold of a brick from the ground. If you have, who did you ask?

I'm passing thru St Helens on Saturday and wondered whether there would be anyone on site then to ask to try and get a little momento.

Cheers

[100% Saint]

I think I read previously that someone had managed to get hold of a brick from the ground. If you have, who did you ask?

I'm passing thru St Helens on Saturday and wondered whether there would be anyone on site then to ask to try and get a little momento.

Cheers

I went to the site on Saturday, before i got the coach to Leeds, nobody was on the site.

[Saints-Crusaders]

I think I read previously that someone had managed to get hold of a brick from the ground. If you have, who did you ask?

I'm passing thru St Helens on Saturday and wondered whether there would be anyone on site then to ask to try and get a little momento.

Cheers

I went last week and asked one of the Taylor Wimpey guys and he got a brick for me

[yorkyrl]