Rugby match delayed after a 'bomb' discovered as disposal experts rushed to the scene

Ed Griffiths
Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:23:16 +0000

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.

The East Yorkshire club confirmed that bomb disposal specialists had been dispatched to its home ground to assess the situation.

Play was permitted to commence only after security personnel had cordoned off the surrounding area and officials had determined there was no threat.

The incident occurred during what should have been a routine second-tier rugby league encounter at the Goole venue.

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Goole released a club statement on Monday.

They said: "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.

"This process was led by the club’s ground safety officer, in coordination with the matchday stewarding team and board of directors."

"The immediate area was secured, and Humberside Police, the local authority and the Rugby Football League were contacted 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 full assessment, the device was confirmed to be a non-explosive replica grenade and was safely removed, with no further action required."

Goole said the response from all parties was "swift, coordinated and highly professional” and that “disruption was kept to a minimum".

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The club added: "The incident demonstrated the effectiveness of the club’s robust safety and operational procedures, ensuring that the welfare of supporters, players, staff and partners remained the absolute priority at all times.

"While this was an unprecedented incident, the Victoria Pleasure Grounds remains a safe and secure venue.

"Incidents of this nature are extremely rare, but Sunday’s response reflects the high standards of planning, governance and safety management that underpin matchday operations at the club."

Whitehaven’s 36-22 win saw them swap places with Goole, who drop to 18th in the Championship.

Goole Vikings operate as a semi-professional outfit based in the East Yorkshire town, currently participating in the Betfred Championship, English rugby league's second division.

The club, nicknamed "The Seaporters," secured promotion to this level after completing their debut professional campaign in League One during 2025.

Their Carter Street venue is currently undergoing a £7million renovation project.

Scott Taylor, a former England international who won the Super League, serves as head coach, while ex-Great Britain representative Brett Ferres captains the side.

The Vikings were established in their present amateur incarnation back in 2018.