Belle Vue, Wakefield

Correspondent

Belle Vue
Doncaster Road
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF1 5EY

Home to: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (Super League)
Capacity: 10,000
Opened: 1895

Facilities: Currently, the East stand has a covered stand with seating, with some terracing beneath. The North and West sides are large open terrace, while the South side is the location of hospitality facilities. The stadium capacity is officially listed as 10,000. The ground secured a sponsorship deal with Atlantic Solutions in 2005. The corporate boxes resemble mobiles and there's just the one stand that is covered. The remainder of the ground is undeveloped with no shelter for those windy Friday nights in February.

Impressions: The ground is arguably one of the worst in Super League. It doesnt meet Super League criteria standards, meaning if the Wildcats were relegated, they wouldnt be allowed back in unless they moved stadia. This has been a problem with the local council. With the club focusing on the development of a new ground, the current ground remains untouched.

Records: 28,254 watched the Wildcats against Wigan in 1962. The highest Super League attendance was the 11,000 that saw the Battle of Belle Vue against Castleford Tigers in Round 28 of Super League XI in 2006.

History: Belle Vue was first opened on the 14th of April 1879 with Wakefield taking on Birch from Manchester in a charity game. The ground underwent improvements to bring it up to standard and was re-opened with a game against Halifax on the 24th September 1898. Belle Vue hosted its first international on the 4th of December 1909 when England beat Wales 19-13 in front of 4,000 fans. The ground has also held eight Challenge Cup semi-finals, ad in 1923 held the final itself when Leeds beat Hull 28-3 before 29,335 people. This was bettered in 1936 when the Leeds versus Huddersfield final drew 37,906. Crowds of 20 – 30,000 were not uncommon during the ‘30s, but Belle Vue was at its best for the 1962 film ‘This Sporting Life’ when it played the fictional home of City RLFC. Due to financial troubles the ground was sold in 1986, and the West Stand pulled down to be replaced by the block of executive boxes that are now built there. Belle Vue was bought back in 1998 but the ground is now a shadow of its former self, with Wakefield looking for a new stadium to boost their franchise application in 2009.

Ticket Prices: Adults £16 Concessions £8

Directions: From M1
Exit the M1 at junction 39, and follow the A636 (Denby Dale Road) towards Wakefield. Continue over the first roundabout towards the city centre, and past the Campanile Hotel. Bear right under the railway bridge and continue towards the city with Wakefield Park on your left. Go straight over the next mini-roundabout, under the arches, and turn right at the next roundabout (Ings Road). Follow the signs for the A638 Doncaster Road. Once on Doncaster Road the ground is on the Right hand side after about half a mile. When you get close to the ground it is signposted Wakefield Trinity RLFC

From M62
Exit the M62 at junction 31, and follow the A655 towards Wakefield. Exit the A655 by turn right onto the A638, and continue under the railway bridges, heading straight and you will see Superbowl 2000 on the left hand side. Belle Vue is just past Superbowl 2000 on the left hand side. When you get close to the ground it is signposted ?Wakefield Trinity RLFC?

Car Parking: There is plenty of parking around the ground for the smaller games, but for games expecting large grounds, we'd recommend using streets that are further away from the ground, perhaps the other side of the cemetery for a quicker getaway.

Local Pubs:

Fans View: This ground really needs renovating, it's sadly not up to the standards of Super League anymore, and this needs sorting.