Think some of the MC critique on here is harsh. He's not perfect but I think he's doing what circumstances will allow- i also think we'll find fault with any chairman who picks up our poisoned chalice. Ted is looked on fondly by some but I think heindsight is generous to him and we're quick to remember his avuncular generosity and forget the amateursism and nepotism under him. Glover looked like he was running it new efficiently and listening to fans until you realise he wasn't paying for any of it. Carter doesn't promote like glover or please the fans like ted but he does run an organised club with professional systems that balances the books. Boring to some but possibly what context dictates.
I don't see the alienation of fans other than those who rant from the safety of their keyboard without setting foot in Bellevue in which case I think they get what their 'criticise without contributing' attitude deserves. I think it's pretty clear Carter isn't moaning at the majority on here who actually attend games. I know 'coke gate' angered many but I'm in the minority who don't think you are entitled to bringing your own food and drink save perhaps baby food or bottle. It's not what the big premiership clubs alllow and personally I feel it looks more professional than not. I don't know details of how the stewards dealt with the fan in question and I'd be annoyed too but not enough to throw away 30/40 years of being a supporter - just seemed extreme.

I know Carter doesn't promote the club to some's liking but I don't know what can be done that hasn't already failed to win over an apathetic city. I'll defer to those who know advertising and marketing.

I'm no crony. I felt he let Webster stay too long but then I don't know what it costs to sack mid contract. We'd play better in front of bigger crowds but then I suppose you'll only get those crowds if your performance on the pitch entices them in.

He's not perfect but he'll do for me until the millionaire superior alternative some feel is waiting secretly in the wings reveals himself.

Top post squire


Well thought out with a reasoned point of view, unfortunately the usual culprits won't see it that way.

I support Wakefield Trinity and M C just happens to be the chairman. My views on his performance don't matter, its his club and he will run it as he sees fit. I don't agree with many things that have gone on but like many I can only watch from the side lines . M C s got one hell of a responsibility not only to the club but also the city of Wakefield. Relationships need to be built with a hole host of organisations , fans, councils, and media to name a few and that's a problem area for the club and Mr Carter.

Just to set you straight on what happened to said fan. He was forcefully removed from the ground by two stewards. And when people who knew him complained to the club, Chris bretherton arranged a meeting with said fan the following week down at the club. Said fan believed for the club to go to this measure that he the club felt at fault. But no, the meeting basically was an attempt to belittle and blame him. Leaving him humiliated and feeling he had no choice but to walk away.
Essentially CB and MC were happy to lose a fan (and his family) who not only has been around 30/40 years but also someone who had done large amount of hours voluntary work and charity work (Brenan Rooney and Adam Watene fundraising) related to the club. All because they wouldn't apologise.

Back on topic now. I reckon this weekend we will see our best perfomance all year. I can see us winning by 18+. MOM Jacob Miller

Think that's a bit unfair, no ones a culprit either way and I'm just as guilty because I called MC's followers cronies.

It's far to important an issue to split down partisan lines.

True if I were MC I might look at the posts on this thread and say what an ungrateful bunch what do they know I'm the only man with all the facts - and of course he's right.

However there is clearly something not working at the club and to me it's a lack of togetherness - and understanding between the board, players and fans.

I feel people are choosing to stick their heads in the sand like they did with Glover and Richardson.

They all had failings and to me MC's failing is to connect the club to the fans. The excuse used is lack of money but that is no excuse. The best period in this clubs recent history IMHO was the 3 seasons we were in the CVA after the Pearman debacle. There were no if's or buts we really were utterly skint and the clubs accounts were run completely by the administrators of the CVA. Ted couldn't screw the club because he didn't have the cheque book.

Yet somehow with a real scrape the bottom of the barrel team the club and fans pulled together and rescued the club to such a point that by 2004 we were a top 6 team! Then despite a dip in 2006 we were pretty good from then on with crowds reaching a genuine peak around 2008.

Since then it's gone pear shaped and you can't just blame MC for most of that. However for me he's not arrested the slide, not even on the balance sheet - because - IMHO some of his actions are the reason our income has reduced - I don't see how you or anyone else can deny that. Unlike 2000 where we pulled together since 2010 under Glover and MC we have gone the other way - it shocks me tbh.

Again you can't blame it all on MC not by any stretch, but he is the man currently in charge and as such the only one we can address our fears to and the only one who can sort things - fact.

I'm nearly done, but I'll give you one example of where I feel MC gets it wrong and where his seemingly black or white philosophy lets him down.

The KC is a fabulous stadium but it comes with many rules and regs - but hey who cares you're living in luxury. Step away to BV, it's a dump and the facilities would disgrace a third world nation.

Previous boards have recognised this and acted accordingly by operating a more relaxed policy - and rightly so. You simply can't apply the same rules to those who use the KC as those who use BV. It's an affront to our intelligence and frankly a rip off. You are not just offering an inferior product you are actually offering a completely different product masquerading as the same. If the KC is Caviar then the BV experience is like eating cold mud.

With that in mind for me you simply can't adopt the same policies to fans that proper clubs with proper facilities do - it's simply unreasonable IMHO.

Of course MC won't see it that way because as someone says RL and RL in Wakefield in particular is not in his DNA.

He may eventually be vindicated and people like me proved wrong but not to question him on an open forum is lunacy especially considering recent events - it does surprise me that you feel this way with the experiences you have - I understand your motives and know you mean well but I don't get your hostility to those who IMHO put forward legitimate concerns.

I never thought I'd been in this position or feel like this but I actually feel we need to drop down a league, I'm looking at tomorrow's game desperate to see a win, but deep down I'm thinking that if by some chance we stay up this season we're gonna have another season of bitterness and termoil, no players, no ground, it's all too painful these days.
This is from a guy who's done midweek winter fixtures to Wigan, Widnes, done Barrow, Whitehaven, Workington, London and a fair few memorable Perpignan's.
I've been here since 1987, and had a small hand in SWAG but find games a nightmare, I used to get up on a match day even if playing Leeds and always thought we could/would win, not these days, we're so far off the rest of the teams in SL that you can't envisage a win.
If relegation comes it'll hurt for a week, I'll get a load of p&&p from Cas fans in my local but hopefully next season I can look forward to watching my team instead instead of dreading it.

Mate I feel the same way. I came to the same conclusion earlier this season. It’s pretty clear as a club we are struggling to keep up with even the poorer teams in the competition and if by some miracle we manage to survive the drop we will be in an evener poorer position next year with no confirmed coach, only a few contracted players and no confirmed place to play. It’s pretty much guaranteeing the same situation next year and forever and a day.

Who give a about being in SL if the experience is the season we’ve just had? Would we be better off competing at a more sustainable level and actually enjoying the games (perhaps even winning a few) in front of by championship standards a decent home crowd of around 2k?

Just for balance can I just say that I have only had good experiences with the ground stewards, always polite, smiling face. Very nice polite stewards look after the stand and the staff in the Benidorn flats are great. I understand that the issue with drinks etc is an insurance related concern.

I agree that the drinks and student ticket issue has got up most noses.
If MC does not take notice of this, it is a mistake. Your customers are not wrong.
By the way, I have taken water and a flask into the ground every week and never once been asked or checked?
However, I always buy a beer, even though it takes 15 minutes!

A big win this weekend will make us all smile again.

IMO we have to survive in SL this season. I believe if we do it could have much more positive effect on problems regarding our stadium etc and whose to say our coach or certain players won't be here next year if we retain our SL status.. Yes it's been an horrendous season but this is the first season in many we have n't spent way beyond our means and must put us in a much stronger position for the next one. Starting a season without paying off some debt or other will be a first for a long time.
Come on folks lets keep going and shout our heads off and help bring that much needed win tomorrow, to me dropping down would be a total disaster.

Whilst there is no doubt that we would be more competitive in the Championship, getting relegated could spell the end for this once great club. We have been hanging on for most of our SL history but, a drop down to the championship could see us "doing a Swinton" and whilst it would be "fun" visiting some different grounds etc, IMO, our chances of survival would decrease if we end up in the Championship.

Having said that, the new structure leaves the bottom 4 clubs with an annual struggle for survival.
The top 8 are already stronger and they have the advantage of being able to sort out their recruitment for next season, already knowing their top flight status is assured.

The bottom 4, plus the wanabes from the Championship cant properly recruit until they know which level they will be playing in, further destabilising the lower clubs.