South Yorkshire clubs hit back after World Cup rejection

South Yorkshire’s two professional rugby league clubs, Sheffield Eagles and Doncaster RFLC have hit out after both their bids to host a Rugby League World Cup game in 2013 were rejected.

The RFL announced the venues for staging games and hosting one of the 14 teams on Monday and South Yorkshire has been ignored on both accounts.

The Sheffield bid was based on Bramall Lane where the Eagles currently play. It had the backing on Sheffield United Football Club, Sheffield Council and Sheffield Hallam University.

They also hoped that one of the national teams would be based in the city using Sheffield United’s training facilities.

Eagles’ CEO and head coach Mark Aston was angry with the news, speaking to the Sheffield Star he said: “It’s a massive slap in the face because we need support for what we are doing for the game in South Yorkshire.

“I’m really disappointed but this is the norm for the RFL. South Yorkshire has been ignored. The RFL keep promising that we will get a major game but those promises are not kept.

Bramall Lane has been designated the venue for the Challenge Cup Final replay, if needed, for the past two years and was seen as a front-runner to host a game.

Aston added: “I’m really fed up with the RFL – they have turned down some of the best facilities possible at Sheffield United.

“We will be asking the RFL exactly why we haven’t been chosen because I don’t understand this decision.”

Doncaster’s bid was based on the strengths of the Keepmoat Stadium as a venue, but was also turned down.

Former New Zealand international Carl Hall, who jointly owns the club, claims their bid was turned down due to “geographical reasons” but the RFL have denied this.

“We’ve put a lot of hard work into this and I think it is a disgrace Doncaster has not got anything,” he said.

“Had they awarded something to Sheffield I may have understood more, but South Yorkshire has missed out altogether.

“They said the reason is geographical, but both Hull clubs have been given matches at the grounds. South Yorkshire has got nothing, and it feels like a kick in the teeth.”

Doncaster’s’ Keepmoat Stadium has previously hosted two Challenge Cup Semi Finals and England’s game against France in the 2009 Four Nations.

Julie Nichol, stadium manager said: “We are extremely disappointed by the outcome of our bid to be a host town for the Rugby League World Cup 2013.

“Working in partnership with Doncaster Council and the Doncaster Dons, the Stadium Management Company put forward a strong bid showing why we believe that Doncaster is ideally placed to be a host town. It appears that the decision was based on location rather than the quality of sites.”

But RFL spokesman John Ledger has denined Hall’s claims, saying: “Unfortunately for Doncaster, some of the bids from other areas were stronger. Doncaster had put together a strong bid, that was not without its merits, but there were others, which have been successful which were stronger.”