The Jungle (Wheldon Road)
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| Location | Wheldon Road, Castleford, West Yorkshire, England |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°43′47″N 1°20′27″W / 53.72972°N 1.34083°W |
| Owner | Castleford Tigers |
| Capacity | 11,775 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 1926 |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Tenants | |
| Castleford Town F.C. (1926-1936) Castleford Tigers (1927 – Present) | |
Wheldon Road previously and often known as the Jungle, now known as the Mend-A-Hose Jungle for sponsorship purposes is the home ground of Castleford Tigers Rugby League Club in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England. It is on Wheldon Road, approximately 0.7-mile east of Castleford town centre. In 2014, the ground had an average attendance is 7,068;[1] the record attendance of 25,449 was for a Challenge Cup match in 1935.
History
The ground was originally the home of association football club Castleford Town F.C.
Castleford Tigers moved to the stadium in 1927 after the completion of their first season (1926–27) as a senior rugby league club. This first season was played at the 'Sandy Desert', which has since been redeveloped, and is the home of Castleford Lock Lane.[2]
The record attendance at the ground is 25,449 for a third round Challenge Cup match against Hunslet in 1935. The record Super League attendance at the ground is 11,731 against Leeds on 7 March 2004.[3]
Floodlights were installed for the 1965–66 season.[citation needed]
The stadium was called the Jungle from 2000 to 2010; the PROBIZ Colliseum from 2010 to 2012; the Wish Communications Stadium in 2013 and the Mend-A-Hose Jungle in 2014.[4]
In 2011 the Castleford signed a deal with developers who intended to redevelop the ground as a supermarket. This deal would fund a new £12 million stadium at nearby Glasshoughton for which the club had received planning consent. In October 2012 the plans were scrapped due to lack of funding and it was announced that the club was considering the possibility of redeveloping Wheldon Road, rather than moving.[5] In 2014 it was announced that the club would be moving to a new stadium near Glasshoughton along with a new retail park on the same site.[6]
Layout
North Stand
Capacity-
The Wheldon Road End is a covered standing terrace and is considered the Kop end of the ground as it is particularly used by Castleford supporters.
East Stand
Capacity- 2,000
The Main Stand in the east end of the ground houses 1,500 seats and the changing rooms and tunnel. About two thirds of the stand is uncovered terracing each side of the Main Stand. The clubs pavilion is situated at this side of the ground. Most of the bars and food outlets are at this side of the ground inside the marquee
South Stand
Capacity-
The Railway End is at the south of the ground. It is an uncovered standing terrace, with a supporters' club, executive boxes and a scoreboard along its top. It is mainly used by away supporters.
West Stand
Capacity-
The Princess Street Stand is at the west of the ground. It is almost identical to the Wheldon Road End. It is completely covered and houses the TV and commentary gantry.
Sponsors
| Year | Sponsor | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2011-2012 | PROBIZ | PROBIZ Colliseum |
| 2013 | Wish Communications | Wish Communications Stadium |
| 2014- | Mend-a-Hose | Mend-a-Hose Jungle |
Rugby League Test Matches
List of International rugby league matches played at Wheldon Road is:[7]
| Game# | Date | Result | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28 October 1970 | Great Britain  def.  France 6–0 |
8,958 | 1970 Rugby League World Cup Group Stage |
| 2 | 28 October 1971 | New Zealand  def. Great Britain 17–14 |
4,108 | 1971 Great Britain vs New Zealand Test series |
| 3 | 20 October 1995 | Cook Islands  def.  Scotland 21–10 |
2,889 | 1995 Emerging Nations Tournament Group A |
| 4 | 12 November 2000 | New Zealand def. France 54–6 |
5,158 | 2000 Rugby League World Cup Quarter-finals |
Rugby League Tour Matches
Other than Castleford club games, Wheldon Road also saw Cas play host to various international touring teams from Australia (playing once as Australasia) from 1929–1994.
| game | Date | Result | Attendance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 October 1929 |  Australasia def.  Castleford 53–2 |
4,000 | 1933–34 Kangaroo Tour |
| 2 | 27 September 1933 | Australia def. Castleford 39–6 |
4,250 | 1929–30 Kangaroo Tour |
| 3 | 6 October 1948 | Australia def. Castleford 10–8 |
14,004 | 1948–49 Kangaroo Tour |
| 4 | 13 November 1963 | Castleford def. Australia 13–12 |
7,887 | 1963–64 Kangaroo Tour |
| 5 | 9 November 1967 | Castleford def. Australia 22–3 |
6,137 | 1967–68 Kangaroo Tour |
| 6 | 10 October 1973 | Australia def. Castleford 18–0 |
2,419 | 1973 Kangaroo Tour |
| 7 | 4 November 1990 | Australia def. Castleford 28–8 |
9,033 | 1990 Kangaroo Tour |
| 8 | 12 October 1994 | Australia def. Castleford 38–12 |
11,073 | 1994 Kangaroo Tour |
Gallery
-
View of the Wheldon Road end from the Railway end -
Main stand side -
View of the Railway end from princess street terrace -
Princess Street terrace
References
- ^ http://www.totalrl.com/opinion-super-league-attendance-drop-cause-concern/
- ^ "History – Lock Lane RLFC". Pitchero.com. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
- ^ Sparks, Dave. "Castleford Tigers Club Stats". Loverugbyleague.com. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
- ^ Smith, Peter. "Castleford Tigers home is renamed for third time – Castleford Tigers". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
- ^ "Castleford seek to redevelop Wheldon Road after scrapping new stadium plan", Mail Online, 10 October 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013
- ^ http://www.castigers.com/article.php?id=4123
- ^ Wheldon Road at Rugby League Project
External links
