Didn't realise "Up 'n' Under" was set at Belle Vue

Unfortunately not true. There was a film called 'The First Kangaroos' which had 'Minder' as the main character, and then there is the film version of 'Up 'n' Under' (filmed in Wales FFS). Both are a bit dubious and certainly no-where near the quality of 'This Sporting Life', but they exist!

You should read up on some history!

I may have to concede those points!

RIP Asphalt land. The Brian Bevan Stand that never was and the seating in front of the Butlins Stand.

Clan

Great post! Passionate and eloquent

Does anyone know which one had Andrew Ettinghausen in..?

The First Kangaroos. There was one or two other Aussies in there as well. Ettingshausen played a charcater called Conlon and Wayne Pearce played a character called Sandy Pearce.

Wonderful original post, very thought provoking

Fantastic post, well thoughtout and very appropriate.

Great post. After reading the memories came flooding back.

We all have wonderful memories of Belle Vue, the grand old lady of rugby league. For me it's going with my dad aged 6, and getting bit by the rugby league/Trinity bug.

All the young kids would run on and get the bits of rag holding up the players socks at the end of the game. I remember chasing after, and catching, Fletcher. The players never refused!

My dad died this year and I feel most closest to him at Belle Vue, so that game will be incredibly emotional, but I suspect that I will be in good company with my fellow 'Dreadnoughts', as I think we will all shed a tear on that day.

Our future will be wonderful, but it is good, and quite proper, that we remember and celebrate the past.

Once again thanks for a great post Clan!

I've got a bagfull of memories from Belle Vue, the very first is of attending a game with my dad and being totaly uninterested in the game I spent an hour sliding down the hand barriers at the back of the old south stand. I remember watching Andrew and Paul play in Trinity's A team while sitting in the old west stand and then watching from the east stand as Andrew tore Sts, Leeds, Widnes and the like to shreds during his first full year as a 1st teamer.

I remember my first ever training session at Trinity as a 15 year old and watching the likes of Lampy, toppo and co training nearby, from there there was the Colts magnificent year under Trevor Bailey and making my first team debut against Leigh where I cover tackled Des Drummond (shock) into touch.

Playing and training alongside the likes of Wally Lewis, Mark Graham, Steve Ella, Ray Price and the game against HullFC where Wally & Peter Sterling made their debuts on opposing sides. I'd be lying if I did'nt admit to walking on the pitch and imagining Neil Fox, Harold Poynton and Derek Turner doing the same and shaking my head that I just trod in their footsteps.

Watching Trinity as a supporter again and feeling the hurt of bad defeats and poor performances then the resurgence under Andrew which lead to the Grand Final and Super League. The million pound match with cas and the eerie ten minutes of silence for Leon Walker!

Maybe ther'll be something from this coming season to rival those memories of the past, I hope so.

Can't knock you for your sentiments Clan. Well said Mate

Great post as ever Clan.

Truth is if there had been any other way we would have stopped at BV but the world has moved on.

For those of us who remember RL the old winter way will always hold the place dear. Not just BV either but all the other grounds that have or will shortly disapear. The loss of BV probably really does spell the end of the pie'n'peas Bovril era. Don't think any ground in RL demonstrates all that was both good and bad about the old game, it certainly polarizes opinions like no other ground. I even suspect that a fair few away fans will miss the nostalgia that BV offers.

For me this is real mixed emotions stuff. Even though I have been at the forefront of campaigning for a new stadium I'm not sure it will be my cup of tea. However I've had my moments and the new stadium is all about the future of the club and bringing new hope to new fans and this sadly is something the old girl could never do.

For me it will certainly be a very sad day indeed when the last game takes place, and I don't think I will be alone. That said I'm sure an opening day win at Newmarket will soon get me on side

I like that bit. Well done you. I share that sentiment, no matter how much I know we need to move on.