The evolution of the Parramatta Eels’ homeground

Take a stroll down memory lane to the homeground formerly known as Parramatta Stadium and Cumberland Oval.

Queen Elizabeth visits Parramatta Stadium on March 5, 1986.

• Players balance excitement with getting job done
• What Sterlo thinks of Bankwest Stadium
• Eels fans flock back to Parra

THE year: 1986. Parramatta Eels ruled rugby league.

Parramatta Stadium also opened in March that year, the last time it won a premiership.

Romantics and long-suffering fans would hope history repeats itself and the opening of a new stadium will signal the same fate for a club with a 33-year premiership drought.

Cumberland Oval in 1977 was the Eels’ original homeground. Picture: News Archives

Parramatta’s homegrounds have been eventful chapters in history.

In 1981, euphoric fans torched Cumberland Oval to mark the club’s maiden premiership against Newtown.

Cumberland Oval in 1982 before construction began on Parramatta Stadium. Picture: News Archives

Formidable and well-backed, the Eels won premierships in 1981 ’82, ’83 and ’86.

A special ceremony with Queen Elizabeth II was held at Parramatta Stadium a week before the first match.

While Peter Sterling, Ray Price, Brett Kenny, Steve Ella and Mick Cronin were destroying the opposition, the Blue and Gold army travelled to their team’s defacto homeground Belmore Oval — in the heartland of their old foes, the Bulldogs.

Michael Cronin, Ray Price, Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny after the 1986 grand final. Picture: Peter Kurnik

Parramatta Stadium was packed to capacity for the Eels’ first home game against St George on March 16, 1986.

This was while a top-notch venue to match the team’s on-field class was under construction.

Parramatta Stadium — two grandstands, two hills — morphed from the dilapidated Cumberland Oval, which had just one wooden grandstand, two dressing rooms and a canteen.

The much-loved Parramatta Stadium opens on March 5, 1986.

The opening on March 5, 1986, was saturated in fanfare. Local school children performed on the pitch — only socks were allowed so the turf wasn’t ruined — in preparation for royalty to officially open the homeground.

Cumberland Oval, Parramatta Stadium and Bankwest Stadium.

Fittingly bedecked in yellow, her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II declared: “I have much pleasure in declaring Parramatta Stadium open.”

Fast forward 33 years and Bankwest Stadium has been the centrepiece of the Berejiklian Government’s contentious stadium policy.

Bankwest Stadium on the community open day on Sunday. Picture: Paul Braven

The project has come at the expense of Parramatta pool, where a play area now sits in the precinct.

Blue and gold: Stefan Jahn, Danny and Barbara Blakeney and Anthony Hastings. Picture: Paul Braven

The $360 million, 30,000-seat domain has the steepest seating in Australia to allow top views no matter where you sit.

On Sunday, there was no sign of royalty to open the stadium, but NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Parramatta state Liberal MP Geoff Lee christened the Eels’ new home.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian with Parramatta fans Troy Worner and Geoff Cooke give the new stadium the thumbs up with the Premier. Picture: David Swift.

Parramatta fans — many who have not attended a match since home games have been switched to ANZ Stadium — are flocking back to Parramatta’s spiritual ground.

Eels fans Danissa Reid with her children Tiana, 14, and Christian, 15, from Bossley Park, at the open day. Picture: David Swift

Thirty-thousand fans have snapped up tickets to Bankwest’s inaugural sold-out game between the Tigers and Eels on Monday.

The first match will be a Canterbury Cup clash between Western Suburbs and the Wentworthville Magpies at 1.30pm.

A light display during an Eels’ open training session at Bankwest Stadium last night. Picture: Brendon Thorne

Much like the 1986 christening, Eels members will unfurl a giant “welcome home” flag on the field.

Eels Hall of Famers will hit the field while the Blue and Gold Army flag will be raised and Parramatta Eels Junior League Club representatives will join the celebrations after the Welcome to Country, band entertainment and national anthem.

Kick off is at 4pm.