I don't think teams have "ignored" it. It's just pretty difficult to gain funds together for a nice new stadium.

One things for sure, when Cas do eventually leave WR, I hope that we don't end up playing in a soulless new stadium which is 3/4 empty with little to no atmosphere.

It's amazing to think that at the time when these grounds were in their pomp and RL in England was played in the midst of bitter winters, Australia & NZ couldn't buy a win against GB and even club sides, especially Wakefield, regularly put the cleaners through Australias Test team.

Your assumption that RL back then was poorly served by the stadia and the weather is well wide of the Mark.

Its the fans that create the soul, not the building. The Shay'll have that feeling eventually. Same with the DW, KC, whatever. As you say it needs years of ups and downs before that is reached. It would help if there was proper ale on tap and decent pies in these new stadia though...

whilst I appreciate times and society moves on, I do feel sorry for new fans who never got to attend a derby at the Boulevard or old Craven Park. Crammed in, no room to move, electric atmosphere, noise like you wouldn't believe, initimidation from the threepenny stand, trying to keep your balance on the away end steps, pie and peas from the converted train carriage, being able to drive your 3 wheeler up to the in goal if you were disabled! and all for 85p! Them were the days! I'm glad I'm old enough to have experienced the old and the new.

Old CP

Very true. Unless you get the council or a wealthy backer/football team to help fund it then it can be pretty difficult to get a new stadium.

I found some of those pictures quite sad really. Its weird to see Swinton where they are now when you consider Station Road was an immense if dilapidated stadium.

And Bramley somehow selling the ground despite their being a covenant in place that should have prevented this? To this day they are a league club waiting to happen but for one simple fact...no stadium!

Ah, the good old days.

When having a roof on the gents toilet was considered a luxury. Was it a Challenge Cup semi-final at Station Road where the BBC overhead camera pulled back and brought into shot a row of heads belonging to blokes engaged in emptying their bladders?

Was it that great though? Or is just our memories tell us things were great in the old days because we enjoyed them at the time. I used to love going to Wilderspool and obviously it has a great history and loads of memories. But having settled into the HJ, going back there occasionally for a u20s match you can see it for what it is - an ageing, not very good stadium. If the move was done the other way round, fans would be up in arms.

If you're a top end SL team it is better now, for all others it was better then!

Having been to the HJ twice the last few years I'd have to say I preferred Wilderspool. I don't think seeing the U20's playing there could ever be compared to watching the first team.

However your view could be quite different based on how much more succesful you have been as a club since moving.

I think the argument over old/new stadia being a measure around the success or not of franchising is flawed. What comes first? A new stadium or a succesful club?

A lot of people tend to forget that not so long ago, these dirty, filthy, derelict stadiums held the kind of crowds we can only dream of.

A lot of people tend to forget that not so long ago, these dirty, filthy, derelict stadiums held the kind of crowds we can only dream of.'"

Better than a 20% full Galpharm stadium where you cannot stand up.

lol thanks for the memories mate ...

those grounds were a dump stuff the memories

and as a fax fan ill remind you of a comment an aussie player made on playing at Thrum Hall during the ill fated 97 WCC - this what it mustve been like to play rugby in the northern union

modern grounds ...mordern clubs ...

simply those poor grounds, winter rugby and no salary cap ---i understand now exactly why the english club game was stuffed and now isnt

exactly

thought the next round of franchising will see wakey out and i believe cas will sort out their ground

so pretty much only odsal will be the only real average ground in SL which is a fair improvement from before

yeah the decline of wakey explains the decline of GB ...

heck you should put that in your franchise application next time ...

Hey Dally - i agree with you on the ground situation - better to have modern stadiums no question. Really I was just sympathising with you for not having a soul. Carry on squire

Lol it was awful.

No it wasn't.

Although the ‘stadium’ is essentially still in use, here are two old stands from Belle Vue’s history which no longer exist.

im sure the one on the left does still exist. its just had new seats and a lick of paint

Central Park was not much different to the Headingley of today but with a much better away end.

Headingley has one good end and is classed as an acceptable stadium for super league.

Central Park had one end all seated with boxes etc.

Central park had an old all-seater stand down the touchline which needed replacing, again same as headingly, the only thing that makes theirs a little better is the fact that it is connected to the cricket ground but the leg room and wooden seats are poor.

Headinlgy has what could be the worst away end in super league, all standing, no roof, hardly any toilet facillities unless you walk a hundred yards to the cricket ones, you can't see the screen.....
Central park had a terrace with a roof on it at least.

On the day of the last game at Central Park it was still a better ground than Knowsley Road, The Jungle, Belle Vue, Odsal, Craven Park, The Willows and maybe just as good as headingley......

This is why I see it unacceptable for any team in super league to have such poor facilities.

headingly is a bit jizz now you mention it.

Clearly you have not compared the two....... Headingley is probably slightly better but for an away fan it is naff. One good stand doesn't make it a good ground.

Quote ="Durham Giant"and the importance of stadium criteria. Look at some of the crap places we had to go to watch RL. www.flickr.com/photos/groundhopp ... 163226921/'" I go to watch rugby, if I wanted to admire architecture I would go to Rome or Florence. It might be of the uptmost importance to some people, but I don't mind standing in the open to watch a game, so long as its a good game. Give me a good game at Wakey to a crap game at the KC anyday (or vice versa).

Quote ="Durham Giant"and the importance of stadium criteria. Look at some of the crap places we had to go to watch RL. www.flickr.com/photos/groundhopp ... 163226921/'" I go to watch rugby, if I wanted to admire architecture I would go to Rome or Florence. It might be of the uptmost importance to some people, but I don't mind standing in the open to watch a game, so long as its a good game. Give me a good game at Wakey to a crap game at the KC anyday (or vice versa).