The Jungle (Wheldon Road) Explained

Fullname:Wheldon Road
Location:Wheldon Road, Castleford, West Yorkshire, England
Coordinates:53.7297°N -1.3408°W
Built:1926
Opened:1926
Owner:Castleford Tigers
Operator:Castleford Tigers
Surface:Grass
Scoreboard:Philips Vidiwall
Tenants:Castleford Town F.C. (1926–1936)
Castleford Tigers (1927 – Present)
Seating Capacity:10,500
Record Attendance:25,449 (Castleford vs Hunslet, 9 March 1935)
Dimensions:120x

Wheldon Road (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, just outside Castleford town centre. The record attendance of 25,449 was for a Challenge Cup match in 1935.

History

Wheldon Road officially opened in 1926 and was the home of association football club Castleford Town F.C. The following year Castleford RLFC moved in after the completion of their first season (1926–27) after playing at 'Sandy Desert', which has since been redeveloped, and is the home of Castleford Lock Lane.[1]

On 9 March 1935, the ground set its record attendance of 25,449 for a third-round Challenge Cup match against Hunslet.

Floodlights were installed for the 1965–66 season.

On 7 March 2004, Wheldon Road recorded its highest attendance of the Super League era with 11,731 against the Leeds Rhinos.[2]

In 2011 Castleford Tigers 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. 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.[3]

From the 2023 season, the stadium's maximum capacity was slightly reduced to 10,500 after taking on board fan feedback.[4] [5]

Layout

North Stand

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

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

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

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

The stadium was renamed the Jungle from 2000 to 2010, initially due to sponsorship from online retailer Jungle.com. In 2010 PROBIZ became the stadium's sponsors after signing a three-year deal. Wish Communications became sponsors for the 2013 season before Mend-a-Hose became sponsors in 2014.[6]

YearSponsor Name
2000–2001Jungle.comThe Jungle
2010–2012PROBIZPROBIZ Colliseum
2013Wish CommunicationsWish Communications Stadium
2014–Mend-a-HoseMend-a-Hose Jungle

International matches

Rugby League Test Matches

List of International rugby league matches played at Wheldon Road is:[7]

Date Winners Score Runners up Competition Attendance
28 October 1970 6–08,958
16 October 1971 17–144,108
20 October 1995 21–101995 Emerging Nations Tournament2,889
12 November 2000 54–62000 World Cup5,158

Rugby League Tour Matches

Other than Castleford club games, Wheldon Road also saw Cas play host to various international touring teams from 1929–1994.

Date Winners Score Runners up Competition Attendance
9 October 1929 53–21929–30 Kangaroo Tour4,000
27 September 1933 39–61933–34 Kangaroo Tour4,259
6 October 1948 10–81948–49 Kangaroo Tour14,004
13 November 1963 13–121963–64 Kangaroo Tour7,887
9 November 1967 22–31967–68 Kangaroo Tour6,137
10 October 1973 18–01973 Kangaroo Tour2,419
3 October 1989 22–201989 New Zealand Tour
4 November 1990 28–81990 Kangaroo Tour9,033
12 October 1994 38–121994 Kangaroo Tour11,073

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: History – Lock Lane RLFC . Pitchero.com . 29 April 2013 . 13 May 2013.
  2. Web site: Sparks . Dave . Castleford Tigers Club Stats . 13 May 2013 . Loverugbyleague.com.
  3. Web site: Half term Tigers activity days.
  4. Web site: Harber . Tony . 7 February 2023 . Castleford Tigers reducing Mend-A-Hose Jungle capacity in 2023 to 'enhance supporters' experience' . 13 September 2023 . Wakefield Express.
  5. Web site: 6 February 2023 . Enhanced fan experience at the Jungle . 13 September 2023 . Castleford Tigers.
  6. News: Smith . Peter . Castleford Tigers home is renamed for third time – Castleford Tigers . Yorkshire Evening Post . 13 May 2013.
  7. http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/venues/wheldon-road/results.html Wheldon Road at Rugby League Project