Rugby League Match Delayed 80 Minutes After Replica Grenade Found at Goole Vikings Venue

Match Delay Due to Security Incident A Championship fixture between Goole Vikings and Whitehaven was delayed for 80 minutes on Sunday after a replica grenade was discovered beside the playing surface at Victoria Pleasure Grounds.

Bomb disposal specialists were dispatched to the venue to assess the situation. Play commenced after security personnel cordoned off the surrounding area and officials determined there was no threat. The incident occurred during a second-tier rugby league encounter at the Goole venue.

Goole Vikings released a club statement on Monday detailing the events. Routine pre-match safety inspections were carried out as part of the club’s standard matchday operations prior to gates opening to spectators.

Discovery and Emergency Response An unidentified, potentially explosive item was discovered by the club’s ground safety team.

The item was located away from areas accessible to supporters and staff, according to the club statement. The club activated its established emergency protocols due to the item's nature and proximity to a scheduled event. 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. GB News reported the item as a replica grenade.

Match Outcome and League Standings Whitehaven won 36-22 against Goole Vikings in the match.

Whitehaven swapped places with Goole, who dropped to 18th in the Championship. The game took place at Victoria Pleasure Grounds, the Carter Street venue currently undergoing a £7million renovation project.

Club Background Goole Vikings operate as a semi-professional outfit based in the East Yorkshire town.

The club currently participates in the Betfred Championship, English rugby league's second division. Goole Vikings secured promotion to the Betfred Championship after completing their debut professional campaign in League One during 2025. The Vikings were established in their present amateur incarnation in 2018.

The club is nicknamed The Seaporters. Scott Taylor serves as head coach of Goole Vikings, and he is a former England international who won the Super League. Brett Ferres captains the Goole Vikings side, and he is an ex-Great Britain representative.