SHOULD I GO TO WEMBLEY?

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Not the most thought through piece of work. More like hurriedly flung together to keep the message board open! but let us have your input!

I've been to all the previous Saracens v Quins games at Wembley, and to Allianz Park several times too, but after the way the club treated the away fans at the semi final, I don't feel the need to give Saracens my money right now.

Went to the first one (?) of these when we beat them... it was ok.

The seats are really comfy, and there's plenty of shoulder & leg room... unlike the Big Stoop

The one where we beat them was actually the 2nd one (was surrounded by sarries fans so enjoyed the final whistle)

I dont particually enjoy the wembley games but i guess i would if i was a sarries fan, much like the big game. Fair play if they do get 90,000 through the door. Who is to say that if we play well the nuetrals might actaully start following us instead of sarries!

Yeah, went once -- worse than going to army v navy. Awful experience if you like rugby.

Up to you but I won't be

Well done Sarries for filling Wembley but, having been three times, I've concluded that it's not an experience for me.

Cons - Nev usually twinges a hamstring while warming up

Pro: cheap ticket

Pro: Large's column in the progarmme

Pro: Cheaper food and drink are both plentiful a short walk from the stadium.

Why is it not being Allianz Park a pro? Please do elaborate.

I'm sure that many don't go to the Big Game for the same reasons you cite not going to Wembley, but there you go.

If you do turn up, enjoy.


Who removed my H.R. Giger picture?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:03:25:16:09:07 by To Mega Therion.

I am not a Wembley fan for any event. Though I did go the first two times for the Sarries v Quins.

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To Mega Therion
Pro: cheap ticket
Pro: Large's column in the progarmme

Pro: Food and drink is plentiful a short walk from the stadium

Why is it not being Allianz Park a pro? Please do elaborate.

I'm sure that many don't go to the Big Game for the same reasons you cite not going to Wembley, but there you go.

If you do turn up, enjoy.

I'm sure many people do avoid the big game but at least it isn't the same club that has to be the away team at it every year.

Pro: Wayne Barnes is the ref.

Con: Wayne Barnes is the ref.

I'm a Quin and I am going.

I think I will judge my experience based on the result - I have previously enjoyed the one we won and not enjoyed the ones we lost!

Going on the Quinssa coach which is also a pro!

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Robertquin
I'm a Quin and I am going.

Well said. Two of us going to support our team!

Other half and I are going, so that's two more Quins. Not bothered about the "entertainment" pre match. Reckon Quins are due a big win and it will be this Saturday. COYQ!

If I want to go and watch Quins then I go. Mexican waves and stuff make very little difference to me. I only really care about the team playing well and hopefully winning.

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Quinten Poulsen
If I want to go and watch Quins then I go. Mexican waves and stuff make very little difference to me. I only really care about the team playing well and hopefully winning.

Agree with this.

Dont like it but nevertheless going.

Went to first one and won't be repeating. Will watch on TV probably after Dorking v Redruth at 230

No difference between our big game and yours.If 80.000 turn up most are not real fans. Personally i wish it was a normal home game at AP.Your team like it less than some of you do.

There's something special happening at Saracens etc.

Horrible place to get to. Car is the only viable option for me and the parking / getting out afterwards is a nightmare. TV for me I'm afraid.

It will be my first time at the new Wembley, Last time I went there was at the old wembley with my family when I was a child to watch England v West Germany.

Quite looking forward to it, First off I am a neutral as a Waspie, so I will be there in my Wasps gear (would not wear anything else), just looking forward to enjoying a good game of rugger. Secondly my Mother in law is singing with the rock choir that will (I believe) be singing before the game and at half time so that will be a big moment for her!

It will be all the better if the ale is flowing and the burger is tasty!

Ale - Wembley's changed, that's for sure.

The missus and I are going taking a mate and his lad who have never been to rugby in their lives. If people don't want to go then don't but don't nay-say those who do. We're going there to enjoy ourselves.

Went last year and it was incredibly quiet in the lower tier behind the sticks, even though most surrounding us were in Sarries shirts. We didn't really enjoy our experience though how much was down to the performance I don't know. Still, Wembley is a much nicer stadium than Twickenham and with tickets that cheap I would be going if I could.

Been to both and really don't know how people can compare tomorrows game with the Big Game, for me atmosphere and experience totally different!!

Who's comparing it to the Big Game? As far as I can see a couple of posts mention it is passing but most are saying whether or not they are going and why.

I'm going to the game tomorrow as a Quins fan.

I think the only con with games like this and Quins' 'Big Game' are that they attract a lot of people who are attending for the first time or attending because of the 'craic'. That's why you get that constant buzz of noise around the stadium as they're busy chatting to each other instead of watching the game.

I've just checked the Wembley Stadium website and the majority of questions on their notice board concern Pixie Lott (whoever that may be) that to me is a con also. That said, I think if it improves the overall attendance at games and increases the awareness of rugby among non watchers/supporters then that must be seen as a pro.

A mate of mine knows someone who's got tickets through Allianz, so he got me one, so I'm off there for free

First time to Wembley for this game, should be a good crack, and fun sitting in the middle of Sarries supporters with my Quins top on. Although I'm not positive about the result, should be a good, but long, day out.

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LFCRules
A mate of mine knows someone who's got tickets through Allianz, so he got me one, so I'm off there for free
First time to Wembley for this game, should be a good crack, and fun sitting in the middle of Sarries supporters with my Quins top on. Although I'm not positive about the result, should be a good, but long, day out.

My sister works for Allianz and got us tickets last year but they were up in the rafters with lots of empty seats around us and people more interested in the beer than the match. Fair enough, I suppose but this year we decided (in spite of the same offer) to buy our tickets through Quins to be amongst like minded supporters. I'm sure you'll have a good day; it's what you make of it.

I've got a pal's spare ticket at £3.25.

I think that's £3.25 over the going rate, QP! You were done!

I'll let you know later!

Anyone?

How was it?

£5 for a pint of watery Carlsberg or Tetleys. Endless Mexican waves in the second half. Not announcing Quins players coming on. The songs!!! The @##@#$ "rock choir" oh and worst of all Quins performance again.

You can't really blame the crowd or announcers for losing interest!

Not sure what was like down closer to the pitch but up in the third tier but just lacked atmosphere throughout the entire match!

Was on the lower teir don't worry the atmosphere was dead down there too. It is sad that the most noise was made for the Mexican waves.

Frustrating performance from our team and most of the crowd lost interest quite quickly. Still, I was there.

As many negatives as there are for me it is another game to go to support Quins. The travel is easier for me than the Stoop, it is interesting to meet other non Quin rugby supporters (neutrals) and see their views on Quins. Basically apart from the rugby and the beer it is a good day out. (Went sober last year; never again alcohol improves my tolerance for idjits- same for LDH)

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Hellequin
As many negatives as there are for me it is another game to go to support Quins. The travel is easier for me than the Stoop, it is interesting to meet other non Quin rugby supporters (neutrals) and see their views on Quins. Basically apart from the rugby and the beer it is a good day out. (Went sober last year; never again alcohol improves my tolerance for idjits- same for LDH)

Agreed. And we saw Pixie Lott.

Pixie Lott was a plus along with the 4 Sarries standards attached to the half naked models. The old guy next to me was very impressed by that.😂

Left with 20 minutes to go and went to Marylebone for some beers. Worst £3.25 I've ever spent, thanks to our abject performance. Actually I haven't given my pal the money yet. Result.

Thanks to the Quinssa Coaches team, we were in Club Wembley seats, which were about the only good thing about the day. Padded seats with a cup holder and reasonably civilised bar and food stalls on the inner concourse for only £27.50 is pretty good value.

Never mind Sarries v Quins at Wembley is a regular fixture for the next couple of years.

I have been twice (games 1 & 2) I can't see a return.

I went.

I definitely won't ever go again.

First things first...a very poor performance from Quins, and we were beaten by the far superior team. The lack of enjoyment was not helped by that, but I think even if Quins had wiped the floor with Sarries, it wouldn't have changed much.

Firstly, it was impossible to get a drink in the stadium. I've been to three or four football matches at Wembley and never had any issues so I don't know who they had in the bars this time, but considering the terrible drinking options around Wembley it certainly wasn't a good day to get a drink. Also, for the love of god keep the bars/restaurants open for at least an hour after the game and then maybe you don't get the ridiculous crush after the game.

More importantly though, the whole day felt as if rugby was completely secondary to everything else. Of the 84,000 there, it seemed as if about 10,000 wanted to watch the rugby. The fact that a mexican wave attempt was being made in the first half was damning, and when the stupid thing got going in the second half, they may as well have had lawn bowls on the pitch for all anyone cared. It simply wasn't a rugby crowd, unlike when we have the similar 'event' at Twickenham.

The half time 'show' was embarrassing, and even if there had been any atmosphere, it would have been drowned out by Saracens' insistence that any moment the game was stopped meant booming music through the stadium. This was a particularly lovely thing to do when there were players down injured...nicely done Sarries.

And perhaps the most upsetting/hilarious moments were when announcing the points scorers. "Chris Ashton....sponsored by E&J Consultants!" Really Sarries? Is this what rugby is coming to? Why not cut out the middle name and say, "What a try by HSBC!"

I can only assume that they don't do this every week at the Allianz otherwise surely the genuine Sarries fans would just go mad.

So well played Sarries. But hardly anyone was watching, so I won't be joining them next season.

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Hellequin
£5 for a pint of watery Carlsberg or Tetleys.

There was a 'real ale' stand just inside the stadium at entrance G. I walked around almost the entire concourse at 1st floor level and counted at least a further three such stands, each selling Hobgoblin, English Pale Ale and (I thing) a lager, direct from the cask. OK they underestimated demand, or were volume-limited by the stadium authorities, but it was a step in the right direction. At £4.95 a pint it's not cheap, but the quality was good. Sorry you failed to find such an outlet near you.

[quote talkshowhost86]I went.


And perhaps the most upsetting/hilarious moments were when announcing the points scorers. "Chris Ashton....sponsored by E&J Consultants!" Really Sarries? Is this what rugby is coming to? Why not cut out the middle name and say, "What a try by HSBC!"

Well that is a new one - commentary would be interesting a bit like horse racing - IG coming up on the wing will Guiness/Greenking/DHL tackle him?

The Mexican wave was genuinely irksome, but only mildly so. It was a coincidence that that was the time we decided to leave.

I went to the bar just before the Mexican waves (25 mins of the match left) but it was closed. I found that bizarre but it didn't really bother me.

I was aware that they mentioned Ashton's sponsor but so what?

The photos of the players and coaches on the big screen prior to kick off was a bit cringe-worthy, but again, so what?

No, the single biggest t*rd in the water pipe was Quins playing yet again like a bunch of big girls blouses. We are genuinely clueless at coming up with a game plan to even make a contest of it against Sarries.

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Quinten Poulsen
The Mexican wave was genuinely irksome, but only mildly so. It was a coincidence that that was the time we decided to leave.
I went to the bar just before the Mexican waves (25 mins of the match left) but it was closed. I found that bizarre but it didn't really bother me.

I was aware that they mentioned Ashton's sponsor but so what?

The photos of the players and coaches on the big screen prior to kick off was a bit cringe-worthy, but again, so what?

No, the single biggest t*rd in the water pipe was Quins playing yet again like a bunch of big girls blouses. We are genuinely clueless at coming up with a game plan to even make a contest of it against Sarries.

I don't think anything should detract from the fact that Quins were very poor and Sarries were very good. My criticism of the Wembley experience is certainly not a case of sour grapes, and I'm fairly certain that even if it had been a scintillating game that Quins had come out on top in, then I still wouldn't have enjoyed it much.

Where I was sitting there were people trying to get the Mexican wave started from about the 20th minute. The people around me were more interested in getting as many Smirnoff Ices down them as possible rather than watching the game. With that going on it was very hard to watch the game let alone build up any enthusiasm for it.

The bar situation was particularly annoying because I've seen it be done considerably more effectively in the same stadium on a few occasions. Part of going to the rugby is being able to have a drink (whether alcoholic or not) so making that very hard to do further spoiled the day for me.

And as for the 'as sponsored by....' I just think it's a horrible bit of commercialism that simply isn't needed in the game.

So yes the Quins performance was shoddy, and that didn't help my mood, but I just wouldn't be able to put up with all that nonsense again, even if Quins were doing well.

I agree about the sponsorship thing, it's pretty crass.

However, I'm afraid mexican waves are usually part of any sporting occasion when the crowd is large and the booze is flowing. I'm afraid you need to blame the Quins players for the waves - if the game is decent, fewer people will switch off and look elsewhere for entertainment.

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RodneyRegis
I agree about the sponsorship thing, it's pretty crass.
However, I'm afraid mexican waves are usually part of any sporting occasion when the crowd is large and the booze is flowing. I'm afraid you need to blame the Quins players for the waves - if the game is decent, fewer people will switch off and look elsewhere for entertainment.

I think thats true of the rugby fans but around me there were people switching off when there was only a few points in it.

At least with the Big Games it feels as if the neutrals actually watch rugby. Saturday felt a bit like the Dubai Sevens in terms of atmosphere. And that isn't good for a supposedly important game!

My biggest gripe with the Sarries game is that they get to dictate when they play us at home each season! Not that I think it actually makes any difference, since we are so far off at the moment, but I don't understand how this is acceptable.

Quote:

RodneyRegis
My biggest gripe with the Sarries game is that they get to dictate when they play us at home each season! Not that I think it actually makes any difference, since we are so far off at the moment, but I don't understand how this is acceptable.

100% agree. I can understand being able to request a date for a big game but not the opposition.

Quote:

Dave L

Quote:

RodneyRegis
My biggest gripe with the Sarries game is that they get to dictate when they play us at home each season! Not that I think it actually makes any difference, since we are so far off at the moment, but I don't understand how this is acceptable.

100% agree. I can understand being able to request a date for a big game but not the opposition.

This has been said before.

You'll have Sarries fans saying that we manipulate the Big Game, BUT..we don't manipulate who we play, only that it's a home fixture.

BG7 would still have had a huge crowd, even if we'd been playing London Welsh..would this have been the same at Wembley last Saturday if Sarries had been playing them? (prob. not)

Quote:

RodneyRegis
My biggest gripe with the Sarries game is that they get to dictate when they play us at home each season! Not that I think it actually makes any difference, since we are so far off at the moment, but I don't understand how this is acceptable.

If we persist in playing this badly in this fixture, we should change our name to the Washington Generals.

I seem to remember Exeter doing the "sponsored by" thing when I was last down there. Not 100% sure about it.

Watching the Super Rugby at the weekend, a commentator yelled "that's a real KitKat moment" during an exciting passage of play.

O Fortuna, velut luna statu variabilis,
semper crescis aut decrescis

I don't see a problem with playing Sarries at Wembley at the same time each season. I genuinely can't understand why people have problems with such minor things! It's almost like complaining for the hell of it!

It may be minor, but it's also unprecedented in the league to my knowledge. The idea of the fixture list is that, as far as practically possible, it's random.

I am a Harlequins fan who lives in North West London and went to the match on Saturday with my dad. We found good things and bad things from the event and would have the same opinion even if we had seen a world beating Harlequins side.

It was good only needing one train to get to Wembley. None of us drive at the moment so when going to the Stoop and Twickenham it is at least four trains to get there.
I am quite a tall person and it was nice to have plenty of leg room whilst watching the match.
The crowd management was very good and it was very quick and easy to get in and out of Wembley Park
For what they were, the price of the ticket was a good value for money.

The price of food and drink was far too much, I found this out 2 years spent having spent £12:50 on a small pizza, packet of crisps and a small bottle of coke at the 2013 Championship Play-off Final. I could get that for under a fiver in a supermarket. There was virtually no atmosphere probably due to there were too many neutrals there.
I wasn’t particularly impressed with the rock choir
I found it strange playing music when Wayne Barnes had to check the TMO and the choice of music as well didn’t seem appropriate to what was happening.
All the places to eat and drink inside the ground were all shut which meant if anyone wanted anything they would have to queue outside and potentially get in the way of people leaving.

This event is organised by the owners of Saracens and they don’t care if the fans coming through the gates are genuine rugby fans or not, if they can get the crowds in to this event then they would be stupid not to organise it. It is kind of the same with us and the Big Game except we do not choose who we play.

Despite all these negatives mentioned I would like this event to continue as it not at all far to travel, seats with plenty of leg room and easy to get in and out.

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Quinten Poulsen
I don't see a problem with playing Sarries at Wembley at the same time each season. I genuinely can't understand why people have problems with such minor things! It's almost like complaining for the hell of it!

I went, it was fine. Obviously I prefer the stoop but really do not see a problem with it. Lots of kids - which is great, as these are the people we will be watching play in a few years, and a few neutrals and a few people who may not even be rugby fans. That again is good, as if any of them continue to watch rugby then mission accomplished. People here get far too precious over this fixture. It's different to a standard home or away game, and if it isn't for you then fine - don't go, but a lot of it just seems like bitterness towards Sarries. Sure, the core values thing was daft, but it's not my club, I don't follow them so it really isn't my place to have a problem with it or anything else they do during the day.