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Title: Doncaster Dragons Subtitle: Fit for Super League Author: John Wright  ID & Publication: 20040811008 ~ The-Villager.co.uk  Area: Doncaster  Subject: Sport (Local)

Doncaster Dragons have undergone the statutory RFL inspection of their ground at Belle Vue, which they share with Doncaster Rovers, and been given the go ahead with the exception of a few minor points which will be addressed by the club if they win this years LHF National League Grand Final. The Dragons have made steady progress since being taken over by businessman, John Wright, in 2001, and look poised to take third place in National League One, giving them strong prospects of reaching the Grand Final on the 10th October, at Halton Stadium, Widnes.

The South Yorkshire club will only be playing at the Belle Vue Stadium for one more season, after which their new home will be the new, £32 million, Lakeside Sporting Complex in Doncaster.’ Ideally I would have liked to play our first season in the new stadium in the LHF National League and win promotion in 2006, but our coach St John Ellis feels this could be our year. We are in a strong position financially, despite disappointing gates this year, mainly because we have kept our playing budget sensibly within the salary cap. I am satisfied that we can survive in Super League next season, if we win promotion, but it will be tough.’said Dragons Chairman, Wright.

Often disregarded as a serious Rugby League prospect in the past, the Doncaster club now ideally fits the criteria that the Rugby League are seeking to attain for it's elite competition. It is strategically placed to serve the expansion of the game into the Midlands, and, with a population bordering on 300,000, has the potential to compete with the top clubs in the Super League for support.

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