Sheffield Eagles pursue new talks with city council over Olympic Legacy Park

Eagles battled for their very existence last year following delays in securing a deal with an unnamed ‘sponsor’.

After securing their short-term status through a ground share with Wakefield Trinity, the unnamed ‘sponsor’ remains in waiting with the sticking point still being the land he requires to build his green energy business – a move which holds the key to his investment in the club.

There appears to have been little movement and Aston has asked for further meetings with the council to avoid the desperate situation of 2016 reoccurring.

“We are still waiting for the council to come back to us about the green energy site” Aston said. “It is dragging out a little. I have asked for another meeting and am waiting for a response. The last thing we want is a second investor walking away. That is a priority.”

Eagles need the investment to provide the funding to move into their prospective new home at the Olympic Legacy Park.

Whilst work continues in the lower Don Valley, the Eagles know that even if they do secure the money required, they face a race against time to build the facility for 2018 with no prospect of staying in their current residence beyond this season.

“It is okay having a piece of land being built that we can play rugby on, but we can’t play there unless there is a stadium” Aston said.

“Next year the RFL are putting pressure on us to get back into Sheffield, because what is for sure is that they won’t allow us to play in Wakefield again.

“If we can get the green light then I am sure we can get a large percentage of the prospective facility ready for next year, but we still need the go ahead.”