Goole Vikings and Whitehaven match delayed due to explosive scare
A Championship fixture between Goole Vikings and Whitehaven was held up for 80 minutes on Sunday following the discovery of a replica grenade beside the playing surface at Victoria Pleasure Grounds, reports BritPanorama.
The East Yorkshire club confirmed that bomb disposal specialists had been dispatched to assess the situation. Play was permitted to resume only after security personnel cordoned off the surrounding area and officials determined there was no threat.
The incident occurred during what should have been a routine second-tier rugby league encounter at the Goole venue, which is currently undergoing a significant £7 million renovation project.
Goole released a statement on Monday explaining the discovery. They noted: “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, led by the ground safety officer, in coordination with the matchday stewarding team and board of directors.”
Emergency measures included securing the immediate area and notifying Humberside Police, the local authority, and the Rugby Football League 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 thorough examination, the device was confirmed to be a non-explosive replica grenade and was safely removed, with no further action required. Goole stated that the response from all parties was “swift, coordinated and highly professional” and ensured that “disruption was kept to a minimum.”
The club highlighted the incident as a demonstration of the effectiveness of its safety and operational procedures, prioritizing the welfare of supporters, players, staff, and partners. They also reassured that the Victoria Pleasure Grounds remains a safe and secure venue, emphasizing that incidents of this nature are extremely rare.
Whitehaven’s 36-22 win ultimately saw them swap places with Goole, who drop to 18th in the Championship.
As the dust settles on an unexpected day, it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports events and the thorough measures required to ensure safety on and off the field. For Goole, it was not just a match delayed, but a testament to their commitment to safety, demonstrating the ever-pressing balance between public events and security considerations.
