Odsal draws criticism for pitch following friendly

If you think about rugby league, one of the most iconic stadiums you think of first is Odsal.

Home to the Bradford Bulls, Odsal played host to the largest attendance at a rugby match ever recorded with over 100,000 piling onto the terraces at a Challenge Cup replay between Halifax and Warrington.

After a hiatus spent at Dewsbury Rams’ Tetley’s Stadium, the Bulls signed a lease agreement from the RFL six months ago to cap off a return to their natural home.

The RFL allowed Bradford to return to Odsal during the 2021 season, despite the pitch being just 51 metres wide – the usual demand is that professional pitches are a minimum of 55 metres wide and 92 metres long.

That being said, the Bulls rectified the issue later on in the season and it was host again yesterday afternoon when Bradford narrowly lost out to Batley Bulldogs in a pre-season friendly.

And, Super League side Hull FC will be visiting Odsal on January 16 before the Bulls then entertain old foes Leeds Rhinos.

But, with the return of stock car racing to the stadium also, there have been a few issues with Odsal, with one Twitter user pointing out the inaccuracy in the dead-ball goal-line.

#Odsal remains an embarrassment. Look at the state of that dead ball line. #rugbyleague #bradfordbulls #nigelwood #ralphrimmer pic.twitter.com/4nm6w4m0d7

— Andrew Foster (@andrewfoster101) January 9, 2022