I saw this tweet from Alan Biggs this morning

‏@AlanBiggs1
Seems it's looking good for homeless @SheffieldEagles to move into Owlerton Stadium. No deal yet but hearing grass work underway...

Great to hear work is underway, has anyone else seen or heard how Owlerton is going/coming along?

Another update again from alan tonight

@AlanBiggs1
The Eagles poised to land - at Owlerton. End game for Sheffield's homeless rugby heroes. See @shftelegraph online tomorrow.@SheffieldEagles

It's looking good for owlerton

Is this going to be an actual story tomorrow or just a load of stuff he makes up, like with the 'current Sheffield Wednesday takeover' that if his stories were correct, would have happened about 2 weeks ago?

who knows he did go on to say "Not over the line yet. But close from what I hear."

So he's made it up based on Internet message boards. Again.

Here's the article www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/spo ... -1-6176578 The Eagles could be just a week away from landing in a new home – with talks on a return to Owlerton Stadium at an advanced stage. Stadium managing director John Gilburn tells me he is “very, very hopeful” of providing a refuge to Sheffield’s homeless rugby league heroes who were forced to quit the doomed Don Valley Stadium on the day of their greatest triumph. But a chunk of Eagles’ old ground could yet be joining them at Owlerton amid talks about dismantling and reassembling a 1,200 seat section of one of the stands. Scrap value of £80,000 is currently considered an excessive price for the rugby outfit to match, although talks are ongoing. What is more likely is the move itself, which is not conditional on importing the stand. The Rugby League are prepared to freeze certain criteria – like new floodlighting and safety matting behind the try line across the speedway track – for the first 12 months. As an act of faith in a go-ahead, Eagles have done some essential seasonal work on the pitch at their own cost. Under the deal, the club would pay Dave Allen’s A and S Leisure (who also run greyhound racing) a nominal rent and the stadium would have catering rights. Eagles are still seeking financial help from Sheffield council to ensure they are not forced to leave the city. Gilburn added: “We’re about 10 days away from a definite decision and we’re very keen for Eagles to move to Owlerton.” There is a consensus that it would be a tragedy if the city were to lose its most successful team in any sport at a time when the demolition of DVS remains such a contentious issue. Heritage is also driving it. As Gilburn points out: “Eagles used to play here and we have also done sponsorship deals with them in the past. They contacted us a few weeks ago and in that time we have had numerous meetings with them. “Obviously there are a number of difficulties but the Rugby League have been flexible and supportive.” With so much goodwill driving the talks it would be a major surprise if Eagles did not once again find a nesting place at Owlerton. There’s a joke in there somewhere - but this is a serious business in sight of a happy ending. There you have it folks. Thoughts?

Here's the article www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/spo ... -1-6176578 The Eagles could be just a week away from landing in a new home – with talks on a return to Owlerton Stadium at an advanced stage. Stadium managing director John Gilburn tells me he is “very, very hopeful” of providing a refuge to Sheffield’s homeless rugby league heroes who were forced to quit the doomed Don Valley Stadium on the day of their greatest triumph. But a chunk of Eagles’ old ground could yet be joining them at Owlerton amid talks about dismantling and reassembling a 1,200 seat section of one of the stands. Scrap value of £80,000 is currently considered an excessive price for the rugby outfit to match, although talks are ongoing. What is more likely is the move itself, which is not conditional on importing the stand. The Rugby League are prepared to freeze certain criteria – like new floodlighting and safety matting behind the try line across the speedway track – for the first 12 months. As an act of faith in a go-ahead, Eagles have done some essential seasonal work on the pitch at their own cost. Under the deal, the club would pay Dave Allen’s A and S Leisure (who also run greyhound racing) a nominal rent and the stadium would have catering rights. Eagles are still seeking financial help from Sheffield council to ensure they are not forced to leave the city. Gilburn added: “We’re about 10 days away from a definite decision and we’re very keen for Eagles to move to Owlerton.” There is a consensus that it would be a tragedy if the city were to lose its most successful team in any sport at a time when the demolition of DVS remains such a contentious issue. Heritage is also driving it. As Gilburn points out: “Eagles used to play here and we have also done sponsorship deals with them in the past. They contacted us a few weeks ago and in that time we have had numerous meetings with them. “Obviously there are a number of difficulties but the Rugby League have been flexible and supportive.” With so much goodwill driving the talks it would be a major surprise if Eagles did not once again find a nesting place at Owlerton. There’s a joke in there somewhere - but this is a serious business in sight of a happy ending. There you have it folks. Thoughts?

The biggest surprise is that Owlerton were only contacted "a few weeks ago" when the DVS issue has been ongoing for months?

We looked all set to play at the uni site at bawtry road up until that point it was nailed on then the uni suddenly decided at the 11th hour that they didn't want the first team there which has lead to this situation

Fair enough, wasn't aware of that.

Yep - Bawtry Road was the plan until early September. So six or seven weeks ago.

From a personal point of view I am very happy we are likely to play at Owlerton a ten min walk compared to an hours trek across town if we were playing at Bawtry road

Went to Owlerton last night for the dogs and fireworks and it got me thinking any more news on our move presumably in past years the club would have been selling season tickets by now. I have a couple of Observations about the stadium and us playing there

1) Floodlights - Not Good enough the view of where the Pitch will be was very murky luckily due to stadium events most of our games will probably be on Sunday Afternoons so It wont be an issue

2) Viewing from Trackside - This is were the bookies and finishing post is which is at ground level and the pitch is beyond the dog and speedway tracks so it does not make a great viewing platform

3) Lack of Cover - There is Standing Cover on the terraces by the Napoleon Bar and the Hare and Hound Bar and inside the trackside bars not this is not ideal but we do play in the summer so hopefully it should not be an issue !!!

4) Condemned Terracing - on the far straight there is a bank of terracing which would probably the best viewing point for rugby fans however it has been condemned do we know why ? Is it due to Health and Safety lack of Barriers or suitable exits or are they crumbling away ?

5) Building a Temporary Stand - A Proposal has been made to take some seating from Don Valley and place this on the condemned Terracing I am not sure how this would work as the terracing is designed for standing not seats

In Conclusion The stadium is not ideal for Rugby League but hopefully this will only be a temporary home for a couple of years until / if our new home is built

Dogs and fireworks ?

Interesting combination.

Was this the RSPCA meeting ?

I know !!! we had to wait for 15 minutes for the dogs to safety housed in their kennels even so the fireworks were very good but very loud so probably not ideal for dogs but i am sure the management dont really care as it was one of their biggest gates of the year they would be busy counting their money

Is the pitch legally big enough
Remember going there when you first started, awful place for RL.

RFL have ok'd it, so yes dimensions are fine.

It was OK last time we used it and it's not shrunk in the wash or owt, maurice.

Is the plan to build a stand and put it in front of the terrace or is it to place the seats on the terrace?

I thought it was the first one

I dont think there is room to place it in front of the terrace because it is very close to the greyhound track

Mr Biggs latest update last night


@AlanBiggs1
Stand by for breakthrough on keeping rugby league in Sheffield. Expecting deal for @SheffieldEagles to move back to @OwlertonStadium #Home


and when asked when

"Imminent is the word I'd use. V close #Eagles"

There was some talk about taking sections of concrete terracing and resiting them at Owlerton. The issues were (a) cost and (b) whether it was technically possible as there would have to be some concrete footings put in to support it. It's heavy. I don't know the outcome - or even if there is on yet.

Ahhh ok thanks griff

It does sound rather expensive but the main thing is at least a move to owlerton is not dependent on the stand being put in (according to mr biggs anyway)

Don't listen to anything that clown Biggs says. Just makes stuff up based on forums and rumours, and if it turns out to be wrong he just says 'I understand the deal has fallen through'.

Deal done. There for the next two years at least.

Credit must go to everyone at the club plus everyone at Owlerton and the Council who have helped push this through and ensure we remain in the city.

Good news I have copied below the news from the official rfl site

Owlerton Greyhound Stadium is the new home to the Sheffield Eagles, it was announced today. A two-year agreement sees the rugby league club returning to the venue where it first formed almost 30 years ago.

As part of the deal, the Eagles will play all home fixtures at Owlerton Stadium when the new Championship season kicks off in February 2014.

Sheffield Eagles staged their first ever fixture at Owlerton in September 1984 before leaving five years later following changes to crowd rules.

Ahead of the new season, improvements will be made to the pitch and changing rooms.

The move back to Owlerton, which has a capacity of 6,000, has been supported by Sheffield City Council and backed by the Rugby Football League – the governing body for rugby league in the UK. It follows the closure of the Eagles’ former home, Don Valley Stadium.

To celebrate the move, a special press conference and fans Meet and Greet session will be held at Owlerton Stadium on Wednesday, November 13 at 6.30pm.

John Gilburn, managing director of Owlerton Stadium, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming the Eagles back home to Owlerton – the place where it all started for the club almost 30 years ago. It is fantastic that we have been able to help the club stay in Sheffield and we look forward to working in partnership to help the Eagles realise their Super League ambitions.”

The Eagles’ first team training sessions and youth matches will continue to take place at Sheffield Hallam University’s sports complex, on Bawtry Road.

Ian Swire, chairman of the Sheffield Eagles, said: “I’d like to thank Sheffield City Council, the Rugby Football League and Owlerton Stadium for their excellent support, ensuring our smooth transition back to our original home at Owlerton Stadium and ensuring that our community work continues within the city.

“Their assistance has crucially ensured we are able to remain in the city of Sheffield which has been our primary objective since the announcement of the closure of Don Valley Stadium.

"We are all highly impressed with the huge improvements in facilities at Owlerton Stadium since we left there in 1989 to move to Don Valley Stadium and I’m sure all of our spectators, old and new, will enjoy the amenities that the stadium has to offer.

“We intend to play our fixtures on Sunday afternoons and look forward to creating a fantastic experience utilising the varied dining opportunities in the restaurants at the stadium to complement the superb entertainment supplied by the back to back Champions on the field.”

Mark Aston, the Head Coach and Chief Executive of the Sheffield Eagles, said: “It’s fantastic that we can announce that we are heading back to Owlerton for at least the next two years.

“We have always undertaken excellent community work within the city of which we are immensely proud and the agreements that we are making allow us to remain within the city, at a great stadium and able to continue our award winning efforts within the community.

“We see a lot of potential in this part of the city with a thriving rugby league community club on the doorstep of Owlerton, Hillsborough Hawks.

"I’m sure many of their players and parents will come down and support us on Sunday afternoons following their morning matches along with those from our other linked community clubs in the area.”

“Owlerton has undergone major refurbishments over the past few years and I’m sure all our loyal fans will continue to support us as we aim to once again defend our Championship title.”

Councillor Isobel Bowler, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, Sheffield City Council, said: “The Council has worked hard to support the Eagles in recent months. It became clear to us that the club faced two pressing challenges. First - to find a new home venue following confirmation that a move to Bawtry Road wasn't possible and second - a major threat to the club’s valuable community programmes following their recent loss of Sport England funding from the Rugby Football League.

“I'm delighted that the Eagles have now secured their new home at Owlerton and I'm also pleased to confirm that the Council has in principle agreed to rescue the club’s community programmes. Discussions are on-going and we aim to make a joint announcement with the Eagles in the coming weeks.

“The club has acknowledged that Council support for their community programmes is an important part of securing the future of the Eagles in Sheffield.”

Ralph Rimmer, RFL chief operating officer, said: “We are delighted that Sheffield Eagles have been able to conclude arrangements that will see them remain in the city for the foreseeable future.

“Many Rugby League fans will remember Owlerton Stadium from Sheffield’s inaugural season in 1984 and it’s fair to say that both the club and the venue have come a long way in the intervening 30 years.

“The Eagles have forged strong community links throughout the city and South Yorkshire and as defending champions will start the 2014 Kingstone Press Championship season in a stadium which has recently undergone a £1.6m redevelopment.

“I am sure that Eagles supporters and visiting fans will receive a warm welcome at every game at Owlerton Stadium.”

Owlerton Stadium, owned by the A & S Leisure Group, hosts greyhound racing, stock car racing and is home to the Sheffield Tigers Speedway team.