Leeds Rhinos news: Headingley pitch situation explained and upbeat pledge made for home game v Hull FC

By Peter Smith
Published 30th Jan 2023, 14:06 BST
Updated 30th Jan 2023, 14:06 BST
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The pitch at Headingley Stadium is fine to play on and will look much better for the next home game, Leeds Rhinos’ head groundsman Ryan Golding has pledged.

Rhinos played Bradford Bulls at Headingley last Sunday, just three weeks after a concert was held on the pitch to mark the start of Leeds’ Year of Culture.

That left large bare patches at the western end of the ground, which has been heavily sanded, but Golding told The Yorkshire Evening Post the surface looks much worse than it actually is and work is being carried out around the clock ahead of Rhinos’ first home Betfred Super League fixture, against Hull FC on Friday, February 24.

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“We are absolutely fine,” Golding said. “We live in a world where aesthetics are everything, but we are working on it night and day, working really hard and we are trying to force through as much growth as possible.

The Headingley pitch as it looked before Sunday's game against Bradford, showing clearly the outline of the stage used for the Leeds Awakening 2023 event in the New Year. Picture by Tony Johnson.The Headingley pitch as it looked before Sunday's game against Bradford, showing clearly the outline of the stage used for the Leeds Awakening 2023 event in the New Year. Picture by Tony Johnson.
The Headingley pitch as it looked before Sunday's game against Bradford, showing clearly the outline of the stage used for the Leeds Awakening 2023 event in the New Year. Picture by Tony Johnson.