Let’s talk about Fan base …in fact the WSS is situated smack in the middle of the Tigers fan bases ...Inner city ..north west Sydney ...south west Sydney ...western Sydney .The clubs fan base is the entire Sydney basin as the ridiculous ground situation proves .
The access is not a problem, but there is never ever going to be any mistake about who the community support is associated with within that area. Its situated beside its leagues club and business district - it is and always will be aligned with Parramatta.
And why I appreciate the facility will be great to play at, it is not ideal for our identity as a home ground when it will always stink of Parramatta, and rightly so.
One home ground is the ideal absolutely agree, but our club will only ever be considered as visitors at what will be referred to as Parra Stadium and I cant see how that is going to strengthen our identity in some ways it just confuses it. If it was a neutral ground that both teams shared totally different situation but it is a rebuild of Parramatta stadium no matter what they rename it.
May be considered a negative view but just my opinion. I can appreciate that it is a very difficult decision for the club to committ to.
I think we are in the fortunate position that we have fans all over the Sydney metro area. Clubs like Cronulla and Manly are restricted to one little area and could be their downfall eventuallly.We actually have the pulling power to become a powerhouse.
Growing up and living in the Parra, Hills and Wenty areas I can tell you we have a large supporter base in that area.
I fail to see how ANZ stadium is less in the middle of Sydney than New Parramatta stadium is.
I agree with TT - it would be a very hard pill to swallow, walking to home games through the heartland of the Parramatta club, with Parra businesses, Parra CBD, Parra Leagues around the corner and on the tail-end of the Parramatta river.
At least Homebush is in somewhat neutral ground (actually technically falls within the Balmain JR catchment).