So.... this is the very last season ever to be played by Wakefield Trinity at Belle Vue, a fact that many rugby league fans across the North will celebrate. Let's not forget amongst the sighs of relief, the anxiety of the next few months and the excitement of expectation just how much history the old lady will take with her.

Despite her present appearance she was once one of the most vibrant and celebrated grounds in the Northern Union and then the Rugby league. Playing host to many an important game, semi-finals and finals as well as tour matches involving Australia and New Zealand.

Legends of the game from Wakefield Trinity, all the other British rugby league clubs, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and players from just about every nation which spawned a man or woman brave enough to lace on a Rugby league boot, have graced her magnificent turf and she in turn provided a surface befitting of their brilliance.
Trinity's spiritual home has also hosted historical sporting figures such as Tommy Smith the African American track and field athlete famous for his Olympic black power salute.

One of the most under publicised yet celebratory facts about Belle Vue is that she is the oldest rugby league stadium anywhere in the world and the 2011 season will see her end.

Let's not forget that Wakefield’s home ground was once a three sided stadium and was amongst the best in the game. The ground has served the club well for 131 years. During her time two world wars have been fought, monarchs have come and gone, empires have been built and dismantled and the modern-day technologies we all take for granted, well let's say 131 years ago you would be burned for witchcraft just than having them.

Belle Vue has limped along for too long, serving Wakefield Trinity and its supporters for a time period far greater that she was ever intended to. Despite the derision and ridicule aimed at Belle Vue over recent years for Wakefield Trinity and Rugby league this will be another historic and spiritual venue which has passed into history so let's give her some respect

Wonderful post!

Fantastic post. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it next season but visits in the past have always been an experience.

brilliant

Almost brought a tear to me eye reading that, bless the old girl.

Wonderfully put, words which should be printed on a double page picture of the ground in the programme for the opening game of our last season at this stadium which, despite years of neglect and under investment, still has an aura and a sense of sporting greatness in it's rickety old frame.

Well said!

its not going to sink in until the last game, but you've already got me thinking about it now

great post clan

I guess I have already watch my last game at Belle Vue... I did cherish the occasion... just a few weeks before we left for Aus...

The old place will always have a place in my fondest memories...

Tremendous words.

Those that do point a finger of ridicule and derision may pause for thought when reading them. Well, some may.

I agree this should be cut and pasted in EVERY (BV) programme this season, and also in the LE, and on Totalrl forum.

Get yourself home for the last weekend of the season... Surely it's not far to come for one last game (what is it? a 22 thousand mile round trip), you could make a weekend of it.

Superb post - brought a tear to my eye!

Someone should send this to the club - it should be on the website at the very least.

Super post!

lovely to hear some positives about our little ground

Some of my earliest memories are sat on my dads knee on the benches in the stand behind the old dugouts

Most moving post.
Will certainly be over for last game and hopefully for a couple before.
Perhaps worth posting on virtual terrace to give those who constantly deride us something to consider.
Mind you they probably have no sense of history or tradition and reflect the way society is going.

Very positive, let us all hope the players rise to the emotion of the season, the club is in the shop window as are the players.
This should be sent to Eddie and Stevo, Yorkshire Post, etc.
It is time to be loud and proud, together we are stronger.
The young British players have a platform to emerge as new Super League stars. We need a 21st century Neil Fox or David Topliss.
Up the Trin.

Clan

Good post and also worth adding it was the main setting for the only feature film ever made about rugby league.