[Bulliac]

New ground for Sheffield Eagles in 2016 : Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:32 am  

Seems they'll be playing at Sheffield Hallam University next season, assuming the uni's sports park passes an RFL inspection and, presumably local authority safety inspections etc. Capacity of 3K, I'll have a wander up to Odsal straight away and see if I can book a ticket for our away game....... http://sheffieldeagles.com/News/Article/42932

Seems they'll be playing at Sheffield Hallam University next season, assuming the uni's sports park passes an RFL inspection and, presumably local authority safety inspections etc. Capacity of 3K, I'll have a wander up to Odsal straight away and see if I can book a ticket for our away game....... http://sheffieldeagles.com/News/Article/42932

Re: New ground for Sheffield Eagles in 2016 : Sat Nov 28, 2015 10:47 am  

If it is confirmed (which is going to be much better for the Eagles than playing at Doncaster) please bear in mind that unlike the SHU campus (which stretches over the city centre) the Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park is nearer to Rotherham than Sheffield ( and is actually on the other side of the M1 to Sheffield itself) which means its okay for driving there, but its quite a journey from central Sheffield via public transport.

Re: New ground for Sheffield Eagles in 2016 : Sat Nov 28, 2015 12:30 pm  

Sensible idea by Sheffield. They know they're not going to be getting millions through the door every week, so a low capacity ground suits them and helps to guarantee income as people will have to pay in advance to guarantee their spot rather than walk up on the off chance

[Bulliac]

Re: New ground for Sheffield Eagles in 2016 : Sat Nov 28, 2015 6:55 pm  

Think it should be a good deal for the Eagles, although the idea that it's a bit Salfordish, in the sense of not being 'access friendly' from the city centre, would be a slight worry for attracting the home support. Agree the 3K is unlikely to be challenged very often, with us, possibly Leigh and maybe the odd cup game, the only real worry in that department. Guess it depends on just how high the home support turns out to be, I certainly wish them luck with it.

Re: New ground for Sheffield Eagles in 2016 : Sun Nov 29, 2015 10:35 am  

How will they sustain a full time squad of players, with probably an income stream of just over £1m, it is difficult to imagine a worse scenario for them?

At 50% of turnover for the upper limit of player wages at £500k would mean at a minimum of 23 players they wouldn't have much change out of £900k as players wages. So if we are to speculate on the new ruling from Rimmerless and co, some organisation is going to have to stump up at least £400k as the guaranteed bond with the RFL, have they got another nice little earner there? (Scrooge and cynicism rules this Xmas!)

And with the largest populated area in west and south yorkshire they should be in a stadium that reflects the sport of RL.. It's a great shame!

[Bulliac]

Re: New ground for Sheffield Eagles in 2016 : Sun Nov 29, 2015 10:57 am  

I think the problem is that Sheffield, big as it is, doesn't represent the 'heartland' of RL and the Eagles were, and were [maybe still are?] to some extent an 'outpost' of the sport.

I'd guess their costs are going to be less at Hallam than paying rent in Donny, so even a modest increase in support would make the move financially positive. Whether it is sufficient to cover a full time set up, we'll have to wait and see, I guess.

Sadly they're not helped by the media, the "local" BBC news programmes, for instance, will happily give many minutes coverage to the Sheffield basketball team but never mention the Eagles. Mind, they rarely mention RL at all these days, even in season, so I doubt they'll even mention the new ground. Let's hope they prove me wrong.

Re: New ground for Sheffield Eagles in 2016 : Sun Nov 29, 2015 11:15 am  

A full time pro RL club with SL ambitions bringing in players from all over the Globe must not be allowed to use facilities for spectators as bad as this. Until they have a stadium to play in they must do better than this

Re: New ground for Sheffield Eagles in 2016 : Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:00 pm  

maurice wrote: A full time pro RL club with SL ambitions bringing in players from all over the Globe must not be allowed to use facilities for spectators as bad as this. Until they have a stadium to play in they must do better than this Since the falling-out with Sheffield United, and not being able to play at Bramall Lane the Eagles have has a torrid time finding a venue to play at. I think its obvious that their meagre crowds dropped further while playing at Doncaster, and the dog track may be great for watching the mutts, but it is a appalling venue to watch any field sport. I think that the SHU Sports Ground is the nearest and best bet, and this will drive the attendance up. They are 'apparently' getting a new stadium (http://www.sheffieldeagles.com/News/Article/36458) for 2016 but whether that actually happens is anyone's guess.

maurice wrote: A full time pro RL club with SL ambitions bringing in players from all over the Globe must not be allowed to use facilities for spectators as bad as this. Until they have a stadium to play in they must do better than this Since the falling-out with Sheffield United, and not being able to play at Bramall Lane the Eagles have has a torrid time finding a venue to play at. I think its obvious that their meagre crowds dropped further while playing at Doncaster, and the dog track may be great for watching the mutts, but it is a appalling venue to watch any field sport. I think that the SHU Sports Ground is the nearest and best bet, and this will drive the attendance up. They are 'apparently' getting a new stadium (http://www.sheffieldeagles.com/News/Article/36458) for 2016 but whether that actually happens is anyone's guess.

[Bulliac]

Re: New ground for Sheffield Eagles in 2016 : Sun Nov 29, 2015 12:04 pm  

maurice wrote:

A full time pro RL club with SL ambitions bringing in players from all over the Globe must not be allowed to use facilities for spectators as bad as this. Until they have a stadium to play in they must do better than this

I don't think their SL aspirations count in our league, to be fair. I think all clubs are aware that SL has higher requirements than the championship.

If they were to 'win' promotion and then their ground was found inadequate for SL, their promotion bid would presumably fall. That, of course, is a whole new can of worms.

Re: New ground for Sheffield Eagles in 2016 : Sun Nov 29, 2015 3:49 pm  

Oldham's Whitebank stadium has been deemed unsuitable for the Championship. Granted, Whitebank is somewhat akin to the greyhound stadium at Sheffield, but I would be wary of visiting the ground at Sheffield Hallam (even if I could get a ticket!) if I can't guarantee a seat under cover.

That said, I've had one or two soakings, under the 'circus tent' roof at Don Valley!