Rugby league game delayed because of replica grenade
The suspected grenade was found near the ground's athletics track which surrounds the pitch
- Published
A Championship rugby league match between Goole Vikings and Whitehaven was delayed by 80 minutes after a replica grenade was found next to the pitch.
Goole released a statement 30 minutes before the intended 15:00 BST kick-off time saying that Sunday's match had been delayed because of "an incident at the Victoria Pleasure Ground that is currently being handled by the relevant authorities".
Fans were advised not to arrive at the venue until 16:00 BST.
Humberside Police said: "Officers were called to Victoria Pleasure Ground in Goole on Sunday, 12 April to reports of a possible grenade being found in the area.
"A cordon was in place at the time whilst a specialist team were called to examine the item.
"Upon inspection the suspected grenade was found to be a non-explosive replica and was safely removed from the area."
The suspected grenade was found near the ground's athletics track which surrounds the pitch following a routine pre-match safety inspection.
Fans were told to stay away...
Play eventually got under way at 16:20 BST, with supporters told to return to the ground shortly before.
"The response from all parties involved was swift, co-ordinated and highly professional," Goole said in a statement on Monday.
"The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to the club management, emergency services and local authority partners for their exceptional management of a highly unusual situation."
The Vikings fell to a 36-22 defeat which leaves them 18th in the Championship.
