Craven Park, Hull KR

Correspondent

Craven Park
Preston Road
Hull
East Yorkshire
England
HU9 5HE

Home to: Hull Kingston Rovers (Super League)
Capacity: 8,500
Opened: 1989

Facilities: Hull Kingston Rovers have snack bars situated either side of the Roger Millward Stand selling a variety of food and drinks.

The Harry Poole Bar is in the North end of the Roger Millward Stand and has two fully stocked bars and room in the window to view the game, there is priority to disabled in this area, match entertainment on the pitch before the game and at half time, we hold postmatch ceremonies in the bar after the match, which include man of the match and a chat with the Head Coach, also there is entertainment from local singers. With the days game been replayed at 5pm. Everyone is welcome.

The East Stand Bar (covered standing) situated under the East Stand has a fully stocked bar that serves drinks before the match and at half time. It also has Hot and Cold drink along with a wide selection of Hot Food.

Impressions: The ground is effectively open at both ends, and although the two main stands are fairly decent, the away end leaves a lot to be desired. It is quite a distance away from the pitch, meaning the view is extremely poor. This is due to the Greyhound racing and speedway that used to occur at the stadium, although despite recent developments, the parts behind the sticks remain relatively untouched.

Records: Biggest Attendance: 8,500 v Telford Borough, 1989

History: The New Craven Park was stadium was the ninth home of Hull Kingston Rovers, who had played at a variety of venues across the city beforehand. Built on the old playground of Shakespeare Hall High School, with floodlights fitted from the old Craven Park ground, this was essentially a two-sided stadium. The ground was opened on the 24th of September 1989 with a 48-8 win over Trafford Borough in front of 8,095 spectators. The record Craven Park attendance was set in February 1993 with 8,660 people turning out for the visit of Wigan. In 2006 the Craven Park pitch was extensively improved, and the ground is now undergoing preparations for hosting Super League rugby for the first time in 2007.

Ticket Prices: Adults £12-£14, Concessions £8-£10, Children £7

Directions: Follow the M62 eastbound to J38 where it joins the A63 which joins Clive Sullivan Way on the approach to Hull. Stay on this road over the twisting flyover past the City Centre and Marina. Continue straight on at the traffic lights in the middle lane over Myton Bridge.

Continue straight on at the roundabout (2nd exit) where you will join the new A1033 (Hedon Road) and continue straight on once more at the next two new roundabouts (2nd exit). At the next roundabout (Marfleet) turn left onto Marfleet Lane. Turn right at the traffic lights onto the dual carriageway (Preston Road) and Craven Park is about half a mile on your right hand side. There is ample secure car parking on site at Craven Park.

Car Parking: There is a car park situated directly to the side of the ground, although there is also ample street parking which is a fair walk from the ground, and also reduces on the congestion on the main dual carriageway which runs past the ground.

Local Pubs: The Crown Pub welcomes fans from home and away and is situated about a 5-10 minute walk away from the ground along the main road.

Fans View: A very poor view for the visiting fan, wherever you stand in the away end. Quite a distance away from the pitch, not helped by the fact advertising boards prevented us even seeing the nearside try line, let alone the try line at the far end! Slight awkward getting out of the ground too, particularly from the away end, but this may because the crowd was quite large when I visited Craven Park. (James Gordon)