Merge no- ground share definitely! I think that many fans are against this idea as they think its a step towards merger- but I think that a ground share could have the opposite effect and actually lead to both sides establishing a stronger individual identity. Imagine the derby games! If the stadium is built with the side terraces the same layout one could be traditionally wakefield one castleford with colours appropriate and away fans could use the opposite one to the side they are playing. Same for behind goal terrace.

Because of the way the stadium planning has developed, it would be a disaster for Cas to merge, if we assume that the merged club would be playing out of Newmarket. To be no longer called Castleford, no longer playing in Castleford, and worse in the stadium earmarked for Wakefield and within the Wakefield boundary, it would be like being the Sheffield end of the Huddersfield merger.

Also, why on earth would Glover want to merge his company with another one? Who would overall control. The asset you would bring to the table, Wheldon Road, would settle debts and add to the team in the short term, but in the long term wouldn't last too long.

If we assume that one of us is going to go, and that Newmarket is going to be built, Glover has got the chance of having complete control of a Super League team playing out of a new stadium, or sharing control of a Super League team playing out of a new stadium. So which is Glover going to go for?

As for club success based on local talent, if Wakey were the only Super League club in the district, then all the young talent would still go through Wakey, and so again why would Glover want to merge? If the stadium holds 12,000, given current crowds, an average of 10,000 is achievable, particularly with the benefits of something new and shiny. So how much extra would a merged team bring? Even if it filled it every week, Glover gets a 20% increase in revenue but only half the return. I just can't see how it would be remotely in Glover's interests to merge.

What it demonstrates is the arrogance of RL people who follow the bigger clubs. When Bradford were in dire straits last year, did anyone suggest a merger with Leeds or Huddersfield to save them? No, they didn't.

One club in the district in Super League would thrive more than the two individual clubs, maybe, but that doesn't mean a merger. And merge and leave Wheldon Road and you're gone for good.

PS: if they do merge, the name would have to do a Wests Tigers. Trinity Tigers might work.

No thanks.

End of answer.

The wriing is on the wall guys.

The RFL's Blake Solly and Ralph Rimmer were down in Toulouse and Perpignan last week. They made a lot of comments that point in the direction of Toulouse being admitted to Super League soon. The RFL are certainly not going to allow a 15 team Super League. So some team has to be dropped. Because of its terrible stadium situation, and difficult finances, Castleford would seem to be the most likely club to be dropped in 2015.

Agreed. Toulouse for SL then

A merger wouldn't be good for either club so it won't ever happen. Its clueless idiots like Barry McDermott that peddle it as part of skys 'i must be controversial' pundit policy.

Not to merge. That is the answer

I don't believe that ex-players and pundits understand what it means to support a team. It is inconceivable for a supporter to go from club to club like players do, nor to watch a game dispassionately like a journalist.
If supporters made logical decisions based on a team's likelihood of success then everyone in Yorkshire would become a Leeds supporter and everyone in Lancashire would follow Wigan. Its only because we as fans support our teams through thick and thin that spectator sports and league structures exist.

Im not for a merger, but wouldnt have any problem with a joint under 19s. I feel sur it will be a battle of the strongest to stay in SL, and anything can happen over the next 18 months. I also think the RFL will propose a joint team some time in the near future . I have followed wakey for over 40 years and would prefer 2 independant clubs in the area both in SL but i dont think in the long term that will be the case.

Strikes me from the outside that if you don't merge properly then, down the line, there would be a de facto merger anyway, with Cas at the wrong end of it. Wakefield in SL and Cas in the championship with Wakefield gobbling up the area's SL talent and, aftera few years using Cas as a feeder/overflow club like Leeds do Hunslet or Wigan do Leigh.

And...?

Sounds fine to me.

Would you watch a merged team in SL if Cas (and Wakey) existed in the championship and kept their identities but were largely feeder clubs filled with young local talent with a clear pathway to SL through the merged side?

Merge NO. Groundshare YES
This could work, as ground upkeep and running costs would be halved.
The office part of the job could come as an independent unit selling tickets etc for both clubs, this works at Huddersfield as the office is one unit running 2 separate clubs, this is a cost cutting exercise also. Each club would have their own club shop at the ground.
Each club would have their own logo at the stadium entrance giving the feel that both clubs were equal tenants.

No and no.

Cas were offered a ground share and snubbed it, laughing claiming Glasshoughton was the Promised Land.

That ship has sailed...they have made their bed...and will enjoy sleeping in it.

Any future deal will now be heavily weighted in Wakey's favour.

Well done Wright and Fulton!

Ever since the old Newmarket pit site was earmarked I have said a ground share was on the cards and was the way Wakey council thought.I dont have a thing against ground share but a merger NO a ground with half the seating red,white and blue the other half black and amber makes financial sense.Wright said no we dont want to share Newmarket and I was told that SF said the one way to survive was a ground share and was told no way and was the reason he said keep the job Im gone.