Belle Vue (Wakefield)

Belle Vue is a Rugby League stadium in Wakefield, England. It is the home stadium of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. Wakefield and Emley FC also used the stadium for a time. It is located beside the A638 Doncaster Road, approximately one mile south of Wakefield City Centre.

Description

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 12,000 but can hold up to 13,000 in rare occasions.

History

The site was purchased in 1895 after the split between rugby league and rugby union, in order to provide a permanent base for the Wakefield Trinity team who had being playing on fields in the local area since 1873. The money was provided by the Wakefield Athletic Club, and was also initially used for cycling and athletics competitions.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have long been in negotiation with the local council to find an alternative site, as the present Belle Vue stadium does not comply with the proposed standards required by the Super League. However, there have been difficulties in agreeing with the local council on a suitable alternative site.

Many of the scenes from This Sporting Life were filmed at the Belle Vue Stadium during Wakefield's third round Challenge Cup match against Wigan in 1962.

Floodlights were installed in 1967 and were upgraded in 1990/1.

The stadium was called the Atlantic Solutions Stadium for 2005.

On Saturday 16 September 2006 the stadium played host to "The Battle of Belle Vue" when 11,000 fans from Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Castleford Tigers crammed in to watch the match which would decide who was relegated from Super League. Wakefield won the match 29-17 sending their nearest and most fierce rivals Castleford down to the National League.

Wakefield Council are currently working together with Wakefield Trinity to secure a location for a new stadium. The capacity has now been increased to 12 600 in order to help with the application for a 2009 Super League licence.

External links

* [http://www.worldstadia.com/stadium/england/atlantic_solutions_stadium/901.php Belle Vue on Worldstadia.com]