Bramall Lane in 2016? : Mon Jun 22, 2015 4:16 pm  

From the League Express about the prospect of Sheffield Eagles playing at Bramall Lane in 2016...

Sheffield Eagles are in negotiations to play their home games at Bramall Lane in 2016 whilst the planning application for their proposed new stadium is now being considered by Sheffield City Council. Sheffield United FC, who own Bramall Lane, are thought to be sympathetic to a deal to allow the Eagles to play there next year.

From the League Express about the Olympic Legacy Park, with quotes from Eagles chairman Ian Swire

The Eagles' initial wish to move into their new home in March 2016 is now unlikely to be realised, according to the club's chairman Ian Swire. "The stadium will have a capacity of 5,000, with a main stand holding 2,500 seats and with 2,500 spectators standing between the two ends. We can ultimately get the capacity to 10,000." Swire told League Express. "We have funding for the main stand. We had initially thought we could be in during the 2016 season, but that won't happen now. Our best hope will be the middle eights of next year. But 2017 is more likely."

Re: Bramall Lane in 2016? : Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:23 pm  

Excellent news if true hopefully we will be playing there in the superleague next season however there is more chance of Leigh fans of being gracious in victory !!!

Re: Bramall Lane in 2016? : Tue Jun 23, 2015 8:43 am  

I don't think Aston Park was ever going to be ready for the start of the season. Sometime mid-2016 was always going to be more likely.

I was at Bramall Lane about five weeks ago - the pitch was totally removed and there were huge diggers shifting mountains of sand onto it. They're having some new technology pitch put on it which will be more hard wearing - 27G or whatever G we're up to these days.

Re: Bramall Lane in 2016? : Thu Jun 25, 2015 11:02 am  

The local press has the following written at the end of a report :- Meanwhile, rumours have been circulating regarding the Eagles ‘home’ for next season. Eagles are forging ahead with plans for a new stadium on their former site at Don Valley Stadium, the multi-sports Olympic Legacy Park facility, but it looks increasingly likely that they won’t be moving in until after next season. Speculation suggests a move back to Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane is being mooted. However it is believed that there is an option to play at their current residence at The Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster for another year. Report While I don't know what the preference of the players might be,as far as beginning to build a fanbase,and making it a little easier for Mr Jolley to do his magic off the field,it would appear to me to be better if the club started at the earliest opportunity to be Sheffield-centric in thought and deed. It has to be easier for a small step to be made in Sheffield than it will be for another year away and then a bigger step across south Yorkshire. Any views?

The local press has the following written at the end of a report :- Meanwhile, rumours have been circulating regarding the Eagles ‘home’ for next season. Eagles are forging ahead with plans for a new stadium on their former site at Don Valley Stadium, the multi-sports Olympic Legacy Park facility, but it looks increasingly likely that they won’t be moving in until after next season. Speculation suggests a move back to Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane is being mooted. However it is believed that there is an option to play at their current residence at The Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster for another year. Report While I don't know what the preference of the players might be,as far as beginning to build a fanbase,and making it a little easier for Mr Jolley to do his magic off the field,it would appear to me to be better if the club started at the earliest opportunity to be Sheffield-centric in thought and deed. It has to be easier for a small step to be made in Sheffield than it will be for another year away and then a bigger step across south Yorkshire. Any views?

Re: Bramall Lane in 2016? : Thu Jun 25, 2015 1:32 pm  

Yes to be back in sheffield can only be a bonus I thought Keep moat would offer a full playing season but it hasn't - not sure if the middle 8 fixtures will be a problem. So will the lane be any different in terms of possible holiday elsewhere while they manicure the lawn. So it would be back to sheffield for me and then being selfish I might get to see a home match. . But roll on back to don valley and a place we can call home!

[Hillsborough Lad]

Re: Bramall Lane in 2016? : Thu Jun 25, 2015 2:01 pm  

So planning permission & funding is in place and we'll be in OLP for 2016. Looks like none of those three were true then. Will believe it when I see it.

Re: Bramall Lane in 2016? : Thu Jun 25, 2015 2:52 pm  

Hillsborough Lad wrote: So planning permission & funding is in place and we'll be in OLP for 2016. Looks like none of those three were true then. Will believe it when I see it. Come on - chill pills available I think it is all coming together - and I don't think moving in mid-season,if it is all complete by April time,is the best policy as the club should have a nice long exciting build up and lots of ideas as they approach a new season. The funding seems to be coming together with a million and a half pounds recently from Toshiba to add to the previous millions. Bit Of An Update From Last Month

Hillsborough Lad wrote: So planning permission & funding is in place and we'll be in OLP for 2016. Looks like none of those three were true then. Will believe it when I see it. Come on - chill pills available I think it is all coming together - and I don't think moving in mid-season,if it is all complete by April time,is the best policy as the club should have a nice long exciting build up and lots of ideas as they approach a new season. The funding seems to be coming together with a million and a half pounds recently from Toshiba to add to the previous millions. Bit Of An Update From Last Month

[Hillsborough Lad]

Re: Bramall Lane in 2016? : Sat Jun 27, 2015 9:17 am  

We were told we had the funding for the ground last year. I'm not remotely interested in funding for schools, technical colleges, advanced manufacturing parks, universities, wellbeing parks and whatever else makes up the entire complex. I keep seeing various press releases that 'planning permission has been submitted' and it's all in council and building jargon. I have no idea if we have received planning permission for the new ground, if we've actually bought any bricks yet, and if building work has commenced. Due to the lack of news I can only assume that the last two are a no. No idea on the first.

We were also told the ground was going to hold 10,000, now it's dropped to 5,000. What's the minimum capacity for a ground to be eligible for Super League again?

Re: Bramall Lane in 2016? : Sat Jun 27, 2015 9:40 am  

Hillsborough Lad wrote:

We were also told the ground was going to hold 10,000, now it's dropped to 5,000. What's the minimum capacity for a ground to be eligible for Super League again?

This is the only thing I can find. It's taken from the RFL website when the licensing system was still in place, it's under the sub-heading 'Will a club from the Championship definitely be awarded a license?'

"a. Club has reached a Championship Final or won the Northern Rail Cup in 2009 or 2010.
b. Club has a stadium with an operational capacity of 10,000.
c. Club has turnover of at least £1,000,000 in financial year ending 2009 or 2010 (turnover of charitable Foundation can be included in this figure).
d. Club has an average attendance of at least 2500 in 2009 or 2010"

I doubt point B, which relates to your question, has been changed.

Re: Bramall Lane in 2016? : Sat Jun 27, 2015 9:40 am  

Griff will probably know for sure.