Yorkshire rugby league club issue statement after 'grenade' bomb scare delays match
A Yorkshire rugby league club have issued a statement following a bomb scare at their ground hours before a match was due to kick off.
Goole Vikings’ Betfred Championship fixture against Whitehaven yesterday (Sunday) was delayed after what Vikings described as an “unidentified, potentially explosive item” was found during a pre-match inspection at their Victoria Pleasure Ground base. Bomb disposal experts rushed to the scene and confirmed the object was a “non-explosive replica grenade”.
The game, scheduled for 3pm, eventually got underway at 4.20pm. Sadly for Goole, their performance proved to be a damp squib as they were beaten 36-22 after leading 22-12 inside the final 15 minutes. Whitehaven are due back at the same stadium, which is undergoing a major redevelopment, next Sunday to face Vikings in the 1895 Cup.
In their statement, Goole described the drama as an “unprecedented incident” and insisted the stadium “remains a safe and secure venue”. The statement said: “Following routine pre-match safety inspections, carried out as part of the club’s standard matchday operations prior to gates opening to spectators, an unidentified, potentially explosive item was discovered by the club’s ground safety team.
“Contrary to some external reports, the item was located away from areas accessible to supporters and staff. However, due to its nature and proximity to a scheduled event, the club immediately activated its established emergency protocols. This process was led by the club’s ground safety officer, in coordination with the matchday stewarding team and board of directors.
“The immediate area was secured, and Humberside Police, the local authority and the Rugby Football League were contacted without delay. The stadium remained under controlled lockdown until specialist officers from the regional Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit attended the site to assess the item. Following a full assessment, the device was confirmed to be a non-explosive replica grenade and was safely removed, with no further action required.”
The statement praised all parties involved for their “swift, coordinated and highly professional” response. It added: “The incident demonstrated the effectiveness of the club’s robust safety and operational procedures, ensuring that the welfare of supporters, players, staff and partners remained the absolute priority at all times.
“Incidents of this nature are extremely rare, but Sunday’s response reflects the high standards of planning, governance and safety management that underpin matchday operations at the club.”