The Jungle (Wheldon Road)

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.

The Jungle
Full nameWheldon Road
LocationWheldon Road, Castleford, West Yorkshire, England
Coordinates53°43′47″N 1°20′27″W
Public transitNational Rail Castleford
OwnerCastleford Tigers
OperatorCastleford Tigers
Capacity10,500
Record attendance25,449 (Castleford vs Hunslet, 9 March 1935)
Field size120 by 74 yards (110 m × 68 m)
SurfaceGrass
ScoreboardPhilips Vidiwall
Construction
Built1926
Opened1926
Tenants
Castleford Town F.C. (1926–1936)
Castleford Tigers (1927 – Present)

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]

Panorama of Wheldon Road in 2008
YearSponsorName
2000–2001 Jungle.com The 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]

View into Wheldon Road in 2014
DateWinnersScoreRunners upCompetitionAttendance
28 October 1970 Great Britain6–0 France1970 World Cup8,958
16 October 1971 New Zealand17–14 Great Britain1971 New Zealand Tour4,108
20 October 1995 Cook Islands21–10 Scotland1995 Emerging Nations Tournament2,889
12 November 2000 New Zealand54–6 France2000 World Cup5,158
Luke Gale preparing to kick at goal in front of the Cas faithful at Wheldon Road in 2017

Rugby League Tour Matches

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

DateWinnersScoreRunners upCompetitionAttendance
9 October 1929 Australasia53–2 Castleford1929–30 Kangaroo Tour4,000
27 September 1933 Australia39–6 Castleford1933–34 Kangaroo Tour4,259
6 October 1948 Australia10–8 Castleford1948–49 Kangaroo Tour14,004
13 November 1963 Castleford13–12 Australia1963–64 Kangaroo Tour7,887
9 November 1967 Castleford22–3 Australia1967–68 Kangaroo Tour6,137
10 October 1973 Australia18–0 Castleford1973 Kangaroo Tour2,419
3 October 1989 New Zealand22–20 Castleford1989 New Zealand Tour
4 November 1990 Australia28–8 Castleford1990 Kangaroo Tour9,033
12 October 1994 Australia38–12 Castleford1994 Kangaroo Tour11,073
  • View of the Wheldon Road end from the Railway end
    View of the Wheldon Road end from the Railway end
  • Main stand side
    Main stand side
  • View of the Railway end from princess street terrace
    View of the Railway end from princess street terrace
  • Princess Street terrace
    Princess Street terrace

References
  1. "History – Lock Lane RLFC". Pitchero.com. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  2. Sparks, Dave. "Castleford Tigers Club Stats". Loverugbyleague.com. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  3. "Half term Tigers activity days".
  4. Harber, Tony (7 February 2023). "Castleford Tigers reducing Mend-A-Hose Jungle capacity in 2023 to 'enhance supporters' experience'". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  5. "Enhanced fan experience at the Jungle". Castleford Tigers. 6 February 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
  6. Smith, Peter. "Castleford Tigers home is renamed for third time – Castleford Tigers". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 13 May 2013.
  7. Wheldon Road at Rugby League Project
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