Quote: Dunkirk Spirit "If it’s down to money, then I think the majority of Trinity players would be in for a shock if they think there are clubs out there waiting to sign them up and pay bigger a bigger wage. Some club CEOs have been saying for months now, that come the off season, there could be up to 60 SL players without a club. If I was a player, I know I’d be putting in the effort to retain my team place. Our own club CEO is on record saying a few months ago during the wage reduction talks, , he won’t forget those who made things more difficult at that time. If the worst does come to the Trinity club, it certainly wouldn’t be MCs fault.'"
That works both ways though. You can argue that the players should show him some respect, but how much respect has he shown the players?
Nobody could blame Carter for trying to safeguard the finances of his club but they can, in my view fairly, critique how he has gone about it.
If I remember rightly, Wakefield were one of the last clubs to agree a post-COVID pay deal, doing so against the backdrop of an unnamed player suggesting industrial action and Carter glibly dismissing the concerns of another who felt compelled to take a second job during lockdown? I also remember Carter making some questionable social media posts on the day of the player's union social media campaign and about people on furlough (despite most of his staff at the time being on the scheme) and, as you mention, the sinister "we will remember" remark. I honestly wouldn't blame anyone for not having the motivation to work for someone like that.
Yes, I get that professionalism and certain expectations to "get on with it" comes into it but if at the same time, you're not prepared to show respect to your employees, you have to accept that comes with consequences.
If there has been a breakdown in trust and the relationship between the players and the club management, Carter absolutely has to take responsibility for that.
