Sheffield to return to Owlerton Stadium

Sheffield have agreed a deal to return to their former home at Owlerton Stadium.

The Eagles were left homeless at the end of the 2013 season, despite back-to-back Championship Grand Final successes, following the closure of the Don Valley Stadium.

However, they have now got a two-year agreement to return to the venue where the club was first formed almost 30 years ago.

After staging their first ever fixture at the ground back in September 1984, they were forced to leave five years later folowing changes to crowd rules.

The move back to the 6,000 capacity stadium has been supported by Sheffield City Council and backed by the RFL, with improvements due to be made to the pitch and changing rooms ahead of next season.

Eagles head coach and chief executive Mark Aston said: “It’s fantastic that we can announce that we are heading back to Owlerton for at least the next two years.

“We have always undertaken excellent community work within the city of which we are immensely proud and the agreements that we are making allow us to remain within the city, at a great stadium and able to continue our award winning efforts within the community.

“Owlerton has undergone major refurbishments over the past few years and I’m sure all our loyal fans will continue to support us as we aim to once again defend our Championship title.”

Sheffield will play their home games on Sunday afternoons in 2014.

Owlerton Stadium also hosts greyhound racing, stock car racing and is home to the Sheffield Tigers speedway team.