Saracens
Saracens are one of the biggest names in English rugby, a club that has enjoyed considerable success over the years and developed a reputation for doing things its own way. Their supporters have celebrated league titles and European triumphs, and the club has attracted some of the finest players in the game. Although this success has not come without controversy, the elephant in the room that has been covered extensively elsewhere, so I will not rehash it here.
Unfortunately, when it comes to their home ground, things are not quite as impressive as their trophy cabinet might suggest.
StoneX Stadium, formerly known as Allianz Park, is situated in north London, although describing it as being in the middle of nowhere would not be entirely unfair. This is not a ground you are likely to stumble across while enjoying a leisurely stroll around the neighbourhood, and getting there requires a little forward planning.
The stadium has some modern facilities and can generate a decent atmosphere for an important match, but it also has a few peculiarities that make it difficult to understand why a club of Saracens' stature hasn't managed to provide a more satisfying overall experience.
Still, no rugby ground is perfect, and StoneX has some genuine positives. Unfortunately, it also has a few shortcomings that are difficult to ignore.
Getting There – Plan Ahead!
Getting to StoneX is not quite as straightforward as it could be, particularly if you are unfamiliar with this part of London.
The stadium is some distance from the nearest railway and Underground stations, and its location means that simply turning up and hoping for the best is not a particularly sensible strategy.Fortunately, Saracens have recognised the problem and provide free shuttle buses from Edgware, Mill Hill Broadway and Mill Hill East stations. These are a welcome feature and make the journey considerably easier for supporters travelling by public transport.
The buses drop you off around a ten-minute walk from the stadium, so you will still need to stretch your legs before reaching the turnstiles. Nevertheless, the service is a sensible arrangement that takes some of the pain out of visiting a ground that isn't especially well connected.
It is worth checking the precise arrangements before travelling, as shuttle services and their operating times can vary according to the fixture.
Driving is another possibility, but parking is limited, which is hardly ideal when a large crowd is expected. Given the stadium's location, I would be inclined to investigate the shuttle buses before considering taking the car.
It is a shame that getting to the ground requires quite so much thought, but at least the club has made an effort to address the problem.
The free buses are a definite positive, and they deserve credit. Other clubs could learn from the idea, particularly those whose grounds are similarly awkward to reach.
The Ground – A Rather Unusual Arrangement
StoneX Stadium is an interesting mixture of the modern and the temporary, and not always in a way that enhances the experience.
There are two modern stands, which give the ground a more contemporary appearance, but these sit alongside two temporary stands. The result is a somewhat unusual combination that lacks the consistency you might expect from a club with Saracens' resources and ambitions.It is not necessarily a disaster. Plenty of smaller clubs make good use of temporary structures, and there is nothing wrong with a ground that prioritises practicality over architectural grandeur.
However, StoneX feels like a stadium that has never quite settled on what it wants to be.
The facilities associated with the modern sections are perfectly reasonable, but the mixture of permanent and temporary accommodation makes the overall experience feel less cohesive than it might otherwise have been.
Then there is the athletics track.
StoneX has an athletics track around the playing area, and this creates a rather significant problem for rugby supporters. Those watching from the main stand are left sitting some distance from the action.
Rugby is a game that benefits enormously from being close to the pitch. You want to hear the collisions, appreciate the speed of the players and feel involved when the action moves towards your side of the ground.At StoneX, the track creates a considerable gap between the spectators and the players. Instead of feeling close to the action, you can find yourself watching proceedings from a distance.
It is particularly frustrating because the rest of the stadium suggests a club that wants to provide a modern, professional experience. Yet one of the fundamental requirements of a good rugby ground, bringing spectators close to the game, is compromised by the layout.
Of course, the athletics facilities have their own purpose, and a shared venue can make economic sense. But from the perspective of a rugby supporter, the arrangement is far from ideal.
The stadium is perfectly capable of hosting professional rugby, but it never quite delivers the intimacy that makes some of the country's traditional grounds so enjoyable.
Food and Drink
Food and drink are an important part of any match-day experience, particularly when you have travelled some distance and intend to spend several hours at the ground.
StoneX operates in the professional end of the sport, and you would expect the catering arrangements to reflect that status. Nevertheless, the overall impression of a stadium visit depends on more than the number of outlets or the variety of items on the menu.
I would suggest Stone X is in the middle ground when it comes to food options, it's noth the best but it's also certainly not the worse. Which is probably just as good as, unlike many other grounds, there are no nearby pubs to eat before the game.
As with other major rugby venues, prices are worth keeping in mind. Watching professional sport can be an expensive business, and food and drink inside stadiums are rarely the cheapest options available.
The Pioneers – A Genuine Highlight
Thankfully, there is one aspect of the StoneX experience that deserves particular praise: the Saracens volunteers known as the Pioneers.
These are the people who help welcome supporters and make the match-day arrangements run more smoothly. Their contribution might not attract the same attention as the players on the pitch, but it can make a real difference to how visitors feel about the club.
The Pioneers I encountered were friendly, welcoming and genuinely pleased to help.
There is a difference between someone simply doing a job and someone who makes you feel that your presence is appreciated. The Pioneers came across as the latter, and their enthusiasm helped provide a much-needed human touch to the experience.
It is easy for a professional sports club to concentrate on the big things: the players, the facilities, the commercial arrangements and the result. Yet it is often the people dealing directly with supporters who leave the most lasting impression.
Saracens deserve credit for this initiative. A friendly welcome cannot compensate entirely for an awkward stadium layout or inconvenient location, but it certainly makes a visit more pleasant.
The Pioneers are a real asset to the club, and their contribution should not be underestimated.
The Atmosphere
Saracens have a successful history and a loyal following, and StoneX can generate a good atmosphere when the occasion demands it.
Big matches bring excitement, and the supporters can create a lively environment when the team is performing well. The club has enjoyed enough success to give its fans plenty to celebrate, and there is no shortage of rugby pedigree associated with the name.
Nevertheless, the stadium layout does affect the experience.
It is possible to enjoy a good afternoon of rugby here, but StoneX lacks some of the intimacy and character that make certain traditional grounds special.
That is perhaps the central contradiction of the place. Saracens are a major club with a distinguished record, yet their home ground doesn't always reflect the stature of the team.
Final Thoughts
StoneX Stadium is a ground of contrasts.
It has some modern facilities, a club with a successful history and a group of volunteers who deserve considerable praise. The free shuttle buses from Edgware, Mill Hill Broadway and Mill Hill East are also a sensible response to the stadium's awkward location.However, the limited parking, the mixture of modern and temporary stands and, above all, the athletics track all detract from the experience.
The track leaves supporters in the main stand frustratingly far from the action, while the overall layout feels less cohesive than you might expect from a club of Saracens' standing.
Then there are the Pioneers, whose friendly and sincere welcome helps make up for some of the ground's shortcomings. They are a reminder that the people working behind the scenes can be just as important to a match-day experience as the facilities themselves.
Would I recommend a visit? Yes, particularly if you want to watch Saracens and experience one of the leading names in English rugby. Just plan your journey carefully, make use of the shuttle buses if appropriate, and don't expect the ground itself to be the highlight of the afternoon.
StoneX does the job, but it could do it considerably better.
Saracens deserve a home ground that matches their ambitions. Until then, the friendly Pioneers and the rugby itself remain the strongest reasons to make the journey.
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