FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ODSAL STADIUM'S RECORD RUGBY LEAGUE CROWD

Early day motion 1121, tabled 4 May 2004 by David Hinchliffe (Labour). Signed by 36 members.

That this House recalls that it is 50 years since a then-world record Rugby League crowd of 102,569 gathered at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, on 5th May, 1954 to watch the replay of the Challenge Cup Final between Halifax and Warrington; notes that the actual crowd was estimated by police to be at least 120,000 and thousands more never reached the match because of severe traffic congestion; further notes that then, as now, Rugby League supporters celebrated their sport with exemplary standards of sportsmanship and crowd behaviour; and welcomes the fact that this famous stadium is now being upgraded and modernised by Bradford Bulls, with the active support of the honourable Member for Bradford South, to cater for the crowds which are also attending the 2004 Super League season in record numbers.

Signatures by party: Labour 34, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.