Craven Park, Hull

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Not to be confused with Craven Park, Barrow-in-Furness or Old Craven Park.

Craven Park
Craven Park - geograph-710492-by-Peter-Church.jpg
Former namesMS3 Craven Park
KC/KCOM Lightstream Stadium
KCOM Craven Park
Hull College Craven Park
LocationKingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, HU9 5HE, England
Coordinates53°45′14″N 0°15′53″W / 53.75389°N 0.26472°W / 53.75389; -0.26472Coordinates: 53°45′14″N 0°15′53″W / 53.75389°N 0.26472°W / 53.75389; -0.26472
OwnerHull City Council
OperatorHull Kingston Rovers
Capacity12,225[1]
SurfaceGrass
Opened1989
Tenants
Hull Kingston Rovers (1989–present)
Hull Vikings (1995–2005)
Hull United (2015–2016)[2]

Craven Park (currently known as the Sewell Group Craven Park Stadium for sponsorship reasons) is a rugby league stadium located in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Hull Kingston Rovers, one of two professional rugby league teams based in the city.

History[]

Hull Kingston Rovers moved to the new ground in 1989 from the Old Craven Park which was sited on Holderness Road.[3] The new stadium was the first in Rugby League to offer hospitality boxes. The stadium was the former home to the Hull Vikings speedway team, but they left when the ground was refurbished for Hull Kingston Rovers to use in the Super League. The first match was played against Trafford Borough with a full capacity 8,500 crowd to watch.[4] Rovers convincingly started the new era, and in that season were crowned Division Two champions.[5]

In 2006 the ground and pitch were substantially improved as the club sought a return to the top flight of English rugby league. Plans for Hull Kingston Rovers to move from Craven Park to a new purpose-built rugby league stadium to be constructed at a new, unconfirmed site were suggested in 2007, but shortly after this, Hull City Council, in partnership with Kingston Community Developments Limited and Hull Kingston Rovers, announced that terms for lease agreements had been reached to support the long-term future of Craven Park.[citation needed] These terms enabled investment and development of the stadium to move forward.

The initial phase of redeveloping Craven Park was the lease purchase of a temporary seated north stand from Wentworth Golf Club, replacing the use of the inadequate south terrace for visiting away fans.[6] Hull Kingston Rovers' second season in the Super League in 2008 coincided with work beginning on the extension of the standing terraced East Stand. This extension increased the capacity of the stand by 1,120 bringing its overall capacity to 4,750.[7] A similar extension to the opposite end of the stand was planned in 2009 but never went ahead.

Construction work on a new £8.2 million mixed facilities North Stand began in 2012 following the removal of the temporary stand. The stand was initially projected to be completed halfway through the 2013 season with the opening match set to be a Hull FC derby,[8] however disputes between the club, Hull City Council and construction managers NPS saw the opening delayed to 2014. The disputes saw the North Stand cladded in sky blue rather than red as originally planned and club director Neil Hudgell fearing the stand would become a "glorified office block".[9] Following its opening, the new North Stand would be named the 'Colin Hutton North Stand' as a tribute to the former Hull KR coach and the Great Britain national rugby league team coach.[10]

A new attendance record was set at Craven Park in 2018, beating the previous record of 11,181 in the season opener against the Leeds Rhinos in 2015. 12,090 spectators attended the stadium to watch cross city rivals Hull FC defeat Hull Kingston Rovers in a Good Friday derby.[11][12]

A floodlight collapse in November 2018 saw Hull Kingston Rovers declare a 'major incident' and relocate players and staff to the University of Hull for off-season training. One pre-season match in 2019 was relocated and the club would return to Craven Park in late January using a temporary floodlight.[13]

The COVID-19 pandemic saw all Super League teams play behind closed doors at two neutral venues for a majority of the 2020 season and two rounds of the 2021 season, with only a handful of matches being played with no fans at Craven Park in 2021.[14] When crowds returned to season ticket holders only in May 2021, initial restrictions on crowd capacity would see the club erect a temporary seated stand over the disused South Stand, allowing a socially-distanced capacity of 6,000.[15] The temporary stand would be removed following the lifting of social distancing restrictions and replaced with a food and entertainment area on the site named 'Craven Streat', inspired by the fan park of Canadian Super League expansion team Toronto Wolfpack's Lamport Stadium and American football tailgate parties. The name references the Craven Street Football Ground, the site of Hull Kingston Rovers' first rugby league matches.[16]

Craven Park and adjacent land surrounding the stadium have been owned and operated by both Hull City Council and Kingston Community Developments Ltd, who hold a 250-year lease on the stadium, since Hull Kingston Rovers was rescued from administration in 2000.[17] The club is working to purchase the stadium back into their ownership, with a deal expected by Spring 2022. Plans have been made to redevelop Craven Park following a deal of purchase from the KCDL, with new additions including a permanent electronic scoreboard and advertising hoardings around the pitch, as well as the possibility of redeveloping the Roger Millward West Stand.[18][19]

Layout[]

Colin Hutton North Stand[]

Colin Hutton North Stand.

Capacity- 2,600 (seated)
The North Stand was originally a temporary stand that was erected after the ground ceased being used as an athletic venue. In 2013, the new £8 million Colin Hutton North Stand opened for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup game between Papua New Guinea and France. The North Stand also deliver an Enterprise Business Centre and Training Centre. There are 42 fully furnished offices which make up the Enterprise Units, all of which are located on different floors within the North Stand.

Roger Millward West Stand[]

Roger Millward West Stand.

Capacity- 5,000 (seated)
The West Stand includes the main seated stand a small terraced area, 'The Well', below executive boxes, which holds around 500 fans. The stand houses the stadium's main changing rooms that were redeveloped before the 2014 season to improve the size and facilities of the changing room. Inside the stand there is the Robins Nest & Harry Poole bar for home and away fans. This is a restaurant with pitch side views and exclusive player and coach interviews after a match. The stand also houses the TV gantry.

Joinery Depot East Stand[]

Joinery Depot East Stand.

Capacity- (standing)
The East Stand is considered the Kop end of the ground and is covered terrace that runs almost the full length of the pitch. The right side was extended in 2008, and the left side is due for future expansion, although no date has been given.[20]

'Craven Streat'[]

Previously a small bank of terracing at the south end of the ground. 'Craven Streat' offers live stage entertainment, Marquee with bars, local independent street food and big screen in a "relaxed festival atmosphere", the area has become a popular 'go-to' place for supporters to enjoy ahead of 80 minutes of Rugby League. The name of the new entertainment village takes its inspiration from the former Craven Street Football Ground, which the club departed almost 100 years ago.

Following the completion of the Roger Millward North Stand, the club proposed in 2015 to build a new South Stand and hotel to replace the disused terracing. Funding is yet to be acquired for the development.[21]

Naming rights[]

In 2011, local data communications company MS3 announced it had secured a five-year deal for the naming rights of Craven Park, the first such deal in the club's history. Fans of Hull Kingston Rovers voted on adopting either the name MS3 Craven Park or MS3 Stadium,[22][23] with the vote resulting in the stadium being renamed MS3 Craven Park.[24]

On 25 January 2014, Hull Kingston Rovers announced that it had secured a new stadium naming rights partnership with local communications provider, KC.[25] Under a five-year agreement, Craven Park was renamed the KC Lightstream Stadium (following re-branding, it became the KCOM Lightstream Stadium), not to be confused with the KCOM Stadium in the west of the city. On 3 February 2017, it was renamed again, and was then known as KCOM Craven Park.[26]

On 21 August 2019, Hull Kingston Rovers announced a new partnership with Hull College, which would see the stadium renamed to Hull College Craven Park Stadium. This partnership also helped provide new training opportunities for academy players, as well as providing Hull Kingston Rovers players to pursue degrees at the college.[27]

On 18 January 2022, Hull Kingston Rovers announced a new name for Craven Park after confirming a two-year partnership with the Sewell Group. The deal would see the stadium be renamed to Sewell Group Craven Park.[28]

Years Sponsor Name
2011–2014 MS3 MS3 Craven Park
2014–2016 KCOM KCOM Lightstream Stadium
2017–2019 KCOM Craven Park
2019–2022 Hull College Hull College Craven Park Stadium
2022– Sewell Group Sewell Group Craven Park

Other usage[]

Concerts[]

Craven Park hosted its first concert in 2017, with 20,000 attending a concert starring the former vocalists of The Housemartins and The Beautiful South Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott on 3 June, supported by guests Billy Bragg and The Divine Comedy.[29]

Little Mix first performed at Craven Park to a crowd of 20,000 in July 2018 as part of their "Summer Hits Tour".[30][31] They were originally scheduled to perform again in June 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic forced the 2020 tour's cancellation.[32]

Westlife were scheduled to perform at Craven Park on 10 July 2020 for their reunion "Stadiums in the Summer Tour" before the tour was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[33] Sir Tom Jones was also scheduled to perform at Craven Park on 13 June 2020, however the concert was initially cancelled, then rescheduled to September 2021.[34][35]

Association football[]

On 21 October 2015, it was announced that Non-League football team Hull United A.F.C. will play their home games at the stadium.[2]

Greyhound racing[]

The greyhound racing operation followed Hull Kingston Rovers to their new home from Old Craven Park after it closed in 1989.[36] The first race meeting was held on 11 November 1989.[37] The management team of John Kennedy and Roy Thickett had overseen the move and set up racing for Monday, Thursday and Saturday nights. The new circuit had a circumference of 415 metres and race distances of 290, 462, 490, 655 & 705 metres. Prentice Racing came in as new promoters during the nineties but the racing switched to the Boulevard Stadium in 2003.[38] Both the speedway and greyhound tracks were grassed over.

Track records

Distance
yards 		Greyhound Time Date
240 Curaghator Lad 14.71 12 May 1998
290 Handsome Dan 17.57 23 November 1989
462 Gulleen Darkie 28.65 5 February 1990
490 Bally Fever 30.22 1989
490 Macsea Tom 30.05 17 May 1990
655 Appleby Lantern 41.43 5 March 1990
655 Fearless Misty 41.24 2002
705 Hot News 45.00 1989
705 Dalcash Duke 44.98 12 July 1990
875 Supporting Blue 57.67 29 November 1990
875 Spenwood Gem 57.37 15 July 2001
1070 Ridgefield Dream 72.00 20 March 1997

Speedway[]

Main article: Hull Vikings

Speedway arrived in 1995 hosting the Hull Vikings but finished in 2005.

Boxing[]

In 2015, Craven Park hosted the 'Rumble on the Humber', where after ten rounds, Olympic gold medalist Luke Campbell defeated local rival Tommy Coyle, with crowds numbering around about 15,000.[39]

Quidditch[]

On 26 August 2017, Craven Park hosted the first ever Championship fixture of the Quidditch Premier League. The fixture involved eight teams from two regional divisions (North Division and South Division),[40] and the winners were the West Midlands Revolution.[41][42]

Rugby league internationals[]

Craven Park has hosted six rugby league internationals.

The list of international rugby league matches played at Craven Park is:[43]

Game# Date Result Attendance Notes
1 29 October 2000  Fiji def.  Russia 38–12 2,187 2000 Rugby League World Cup Group 1
2 15 November 2000  Morocco def.  Japan 12–8 2000 Rugby League Emerging Nations Tournament
3 3 November 2012  England def.  France 44–6 7,173 2012 England vs France[44]
4 27 October 2013  France def.  Papua New Guinea 9–8 7,481 2013 Rugby League World Cup Group B
5 4 November 2013  Samoa def.  Papua New Guinea 38–4 6,871 2013 Rugby League World Cup Group B[45]
6 28 October 2016  Australia def.  Scotland 54–12 5,337 2016 Rugby League Four Nations[46]

References[]

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  2. ^ a b "Hull United move to Hull KR's KC Lightstream Stadium". Hull Daily Mail. 21 October 2015. Archived from the original on 26 October 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  3. ^ "Ground guide – Lightstream Stadium". Love Rugby League.com. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  4. ^ "Sporting grounds for change". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 21 September 2004. Retrieved 5 March 2022 – via General OneFile.
  5. ^ "Club Honours". Hull Kingston Rovers. Archived from the original on 14 November 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  6. ^ "KR enjoy a small bit of Wentworth". Hull Daily Mail. 11 January 2007. p. 60. ProQuest 333625692.
  7. ^ "KR to boost Craven Park capacity". BBC Sport. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Hull KR to open North Stand for second half of Super League 2013". This is Hull and East Riding. 16 October 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  9. ^ Baxter, Paul (27 February 2013). "Hull KR furious over 'shambolic' £8m North Stand project at Craven Park". This is Hull and East Riding. Archived from the original on 2 March 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Super League: Hull KR name North Stand at KC Lightstream Stadium after Colin Hutton". Sky Sports News. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  11. ^ "Super League: Hull KR 22-30 Hull FC". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 March 2018. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  12. ^ Westmorland, Gareth (23 January 2019). "How Hull KR's average attendances have replicated on-field rollercoaster ride in last 11 years". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Super League: Hull KR return to Craven Park after floodlight collapse". BBC Sport. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  14. ^ Sadler, Martyn (2 March 2021). "Super League fixture list shows the road ahead". Total Rugby League. League Publications Ltd. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
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  27. ^ "Hull KR's KCOM Stadium to be renamed Hull College Craven Park". Hull Daily Mail. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  28. ^ "Sewell Group puts its name to Hull KR stadium". Business Live. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  29. ^ Robinson, Hannah (3 June 2017). "Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott make it happy hour again for 20,000 fans at KCOM Craven Park in Hull". Hull Daily Mail. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  30. ^ "Little Mix to play at KCOM Craven Park in 2018". Hull Kingston Rovers. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  31. ^ Blosse, Benjamin (13 July 2018). "Amazing pictures show spectacular way Little Mix finished incredible Hull concert". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  32. ^ Kitching, Sophie (22 April 2020). "Little Mix cancel summer tour including Hull Craven Park date". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  33. ^ Mutch, Michael (22 April 2020). "Westlife's Hull gig cancelled after 90s pop sensations scrap entire tour amid coronavirus crisis". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
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  36. ^ "Closures and openings over the past 10 years, July 1993, page 18". Greyhound Star. 1993.
  37. ^ Barnes, Julia (1991). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. p. 64. ISBN 0-948955-61-9.
  38. ^ Hobbs, Jonathan (2003). Greyhound Annual 2004. Raceform. p. 158. ISBN 1-904317-21-9.
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  40. ^ "Divisions & Teams". Quidditch Premier League. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  41. ^ "West Midlands Revolution crowned Champions!". Quidditch Premier League. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  42. ^ "West Midlands Revolution crowned champions of first ever Quidditch Premier League". ITV News. Retrieved 30 August 2017.
  43. ^ Craven Park at Rugby League Project
  44. ^ Hudson, Elizabeth (3 November 2012). "Autumn International Series: England 44–6 France". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  45. ^ "Rugby League World Cup 2013 fixtures announced". Code 13 Rugby League. 23 July 2012. Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  46. ^ "Hull KR's Lightstream Stadium to host Australia v Scotland Four Nations opener". Hull Daily Mail. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 22 April 2016.[permanent dead link]

External links[]

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