Leeds v St Helens: Leeds Rhinos’ ground to shrink because of redevelopment work
Rhinos' South and Main Stands to disappear after this season and be replaced by 2019
LEEDS will be playing in front of smaller crowds next season, whether they like it or not.
And those supporters will be largely housed in just two stands as £35 million redevelopment work at Headingley means the sides will be building sites.
Players may also find themselves changing in temporary huts for a year.
The famous South Stand, which has been there since 1931, will be knocked down at the end of August with building work starting in September.
But the Main Stand, that backs on to the Test match cricket ground next door, will also go in September, with a new facility built for 2019.
All the Rhinos’ main changing rooms are under the Main Stand and the others are under the South Stand, which is regarded almost like the Kippax was at Manchester City’s old Maine Road ground.
But despite rumours they will use Bradford’s Odsal ground as a temporary base, they have committed to playing all their 2018 home games at Headingley.
The final match after 86 years will be a Super 8s match on Friday, August 18 and is sure to be an emotional occasion.
Leeds insist all existing season ticket holders in either stand can be accommodated in either the Carnegie Stand or the Western Terrace and ‘elements’ of the new South Stand will be open next season.
Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “The South Stand has been the heartbeat of our club for nearly a century and this will be a historic occasion.
“While we are excited about the future and the modern facilities we will be able to offer our supporters moving forward, we will also be taking time to reflect on the incredible memories down the years and recording them for the next generation with a number of initiatives planned over the next two months.
“It will be an emotional occasion when we play our final game in front of the existing South Stand but we have a number of matches between then and now to make sure that we give it a proper send off before the demolition begins.”
One player who used to stand on the soon-to-be ex-terrace is full-back Ashton Golding, who is set to make his comeback against St Helens tonight.
Hamstring problems have plagued the 20-year-old in recent weeks but he has been adamant about dealing with them with a smile on his face.
Now he is set for a return, he is determined the Rhinos kick on and seal a top four finish.
Golding said: “I can only do everything with a smile on my face.
“I could get down and grumpy about it, but it wouldn’t make it heal any quicker.
“I want to get some games under my belt now and really kick on.
“We are in the top four and we want to cement that.
“Wakefield are only two points behind us and they’ll be fighting to get in there as well.
“It’s a good tussle at the top and we want to put in some good performances now to make sure we stay up there.”
