Having had a time to do some studying I’ve come to a number of conclusions regarding the feasibility of a move to Dewsbury. I have to report that it’s nowhere near as straight forward as people like Prince Buster, Belly and I’m sorry to say myself were suggesting only yesterday.

That’s not to say it isn’t possible because it is and it could be hugely beneficial to both clubs. I certainly don’t buy this notion that because it’s 200 meters out of Wakefield’s boundaries it won’t be a Wakefield club, I’m sorry but that’s just ludicrous IMHO.

That said unless we get the right deal there is no point in moving because as it stands the the Tetley Stadium doesn’t offer any more than BV at the moment in fact it offers less. I think I was blinded by the fact that it was relatively new and neat and tidy but the truth is it's nowhere near up to SL standard as it is.

However before we start what matters above all else is the following statement and it is by this core demand that it stands or fall for me and I suspect most supporters would feel the same.

***IF WE GO TO DEWSBURY IT MUST BE AS JOINT OWNERS NOT TENANTS - THE PERCENTAGE IS NEGOTIABLE BUT IT MUST BE THERE - A FAILURE TO DO SO WOULD BE IMHO TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE AND DESTROY THE CLUB QUICKLY NOT SLOWLY.***

So there are two issues that need to be addressed. First is the suitability of the stadium for SL and what will be required to bring it up to scratch. The second and trickier issue is the terms and conditions for making the move. So the easy one first.

THE STADIUM

1SIDE COVERED TERRACE Needs extending full length with the number of roof supports reducing (fairly cheap fix these days).

COST APPROX £300,000 - £500,000 depending on how basic we go. Should add about 1000 to capacity.



TERRACE BEHIND STICKS We could enhance this by tacking a single story section of our Benidorm boxes and run it along the back to create a supporters lounge/bar which will also add extra toilet facilities- be a good money spinner.

COST APPROX 20k to move and re-erect.

ALSO SHOWS ARIAL VIEW OF WHOLE REDEVELOPMENT AS MARKED IN PINK AND BLUE.



OPEN TERRACE AT OTHER END Build identical terrace then repeat the above. If there is room to add the boxes then fine, not sure there is.

COST APPROX 120K. Capacity increase 1200 approx.

MAIN STAND This is the main stumbling block IMHO. It’s still inadequate for SL as it is and though it may look better than the east stand/Cats bar at BV it offers slightly less. However it can be redeveloped to be much better at a fairly reasonable cost. First it needs extending to be full length. The roof can stay as it is but the supports need replacing by a goal post structure or a propped cantilever. Some may not think this is necessary but I personally don’t see how any decent club in the 21st century can charge a premium for an obstructed view. Boxes/lLounges need adding full length at the rear whilst the facilities at the rear need enlarging and modernising - with a larger reception/bars/restaurants etc.

COST APPROX 1 - 2 million depending on spec. Capacity increase 800 approx.



FLOODLIGHTS May require an upgrade.

COST APPROX 20K.

OFFICE SPACEPHASE 1PHASE 2
PHASE 3 Expand side terrace (depth and new roof) £1-2,000,000

That’s the easy bit. Now for the agreement. Ive looked at numerous models and I’m yet to find a tenancy agreement between two clubs that's worked for long time, I may be wrong. Ground share I’ve found plenty - this is when the two clubs rent from a parent organisation that they both usually have a stake in.

Dews bury may not want us, so to their fans who may be reading it this is pure speculation.

You might think Dewsbury hold the whip hand but they don’t. No way do I want to con or rob them just pointing out that there are pressing reasons why they may want a deal as much as we do.

The current Stadium though relatively modern is low spec, not especially well built or designed but still expensive to run and maintain for a club averaging 1,200 a game. Also running a Championship team is getting less feasible by the year for all but the biggest clubs which Dewsbury aren't. The shared cost of rates, power, maintenance, some staff and perhaps even an Academy are huge attractions to them even without the stadium upgrade and any monies they receive from us.

So here is the best plan I’ve found.

1: Both clubs form an equal partnership 40/40. The other 10/10 shares gifted to the two clubs supporters trusts or similar. This is to create a block of votes that can stop either club from damaging the others interests - logic being that any major decision will need both supporters groups to back it which keeps predators and con artists away.

2: Form a new company or even a trust called “Dewsbury and Wakefield Joint Stadium initiative” which will assume ownership of the Stadium which would have a nominal value of two million pounds. Dewsbury RLFC and both supporters group pay £1 for their shares.

3: Wakefield Trinity then pay the holding company who then pay Dewsbury £800,000 for the remaining 40% of the shares. This can either be a cash payment if we can raise that amount or more likely a 0% repayment plan to Dewsbury over a 20 year period giving them a 40k a year income for their trouble. That I would have thought would make them very happy. However one stipulation would be that if we were ever to be relegated that figure would be reduced to 10k pa until such time as we were to return to SL.

4: To develop the ground further as would be needed the holding company would then take a levy from both clubs. Now clearly Dewsbury already have a stadium fit for there use however they will be advantaged from the SL development work especially in terms of revenue. I would suggest they pay a levy of 10k P/A towards the development fund.

5: I would suggest that Trinity pay an annual levy of 120k - 140k pa. If we could gain favourable finance from the RFL or even an individual at very low or no interest that would allow us to borrow close to three million over a twenty to twenty five year repayment period - yes I realise how low that interest would need to be.
Again some provision would need to be made to allow us to function in the Championship should we get relegated – not sure how that would work but we'd need it if we were to avoid going bust. That would mean we would be paying between 160k – 180k per season which is possibly more than we pay for BV. However it's better value for money in terms of facilities and thus revenue and above all it's not dead money as it's basically a mortgage.

The above is the closest I could find to a good deal for both clubs - but others may have better ideas or spot flaws. However one thing is for certain and it’s the achilles heel that people have not factored in - we still need to find money we don’t have - it may be the cheapest option yet but it’s not cheap enough unless we can find some extra monies from somewhere - at the moment free is the most we can afford.

Sorry for any errors will correct later - thanks

So I see why that is good for us, what's in all that for Dewsbury?
They'll end up owning half a ground (or even 40%) they used to own in total, and the ground would be twice as big for their crowds that don't fill it already so no additional benefit their either?
Their fans may see a loss of identity so would possibly move away, or worse for them, decide it's better to watch a Super League game, and not watch Dewsbury at all.

I'm not against the idea, but to make a workable solution it has to consider both sides.

I'm not intending to shoot the idea down, just adding detail.

Tremendous work I have to say.I am with you in that the I cannot see why relocating to Owl Lane is any worse than Newmarket.
The thing is ,at least at Dewsbury,there is literally something to 'build on '.As Pop Tart has alluded to the Dewsbury Club and fans must somehow or other feel it is of real benefit to themselves.

Again a well presented option and looks good as well, just one question Vasty, do you ever do anything at work

You're not but read it again pops as I do explain that - I know it's long so you may have missed it

But basically it's this bit you missed...

"3: Wakefield Trinity then pay the holding company who then pay Dewsbury £800,000 for the remaining 40% of the shares. This can either be a cash payment if we can raise that amount or more likely a 0% repayment plan to Dewsbury over a 20 year period giving them a 40k a year income for their trouble. That I would have thought would make them very happy. However one stipulation would be that if we were ever to be relegated that figure would be reduced to 10k pa until such time as we were to return to SL."

and this

"Dewsbury may not want us, so to their fans who may be reading it this is pure speculation.

You might think Dewsbury hold the whip hand but they don’t. No way do I want to con or rob them just pointing out that there are pressing reasons why they may want a deal as much as we do.

The current Stadium though relatively modern is low spec, not especially well built or designed but still expensive to run and maintain for a club averaging 1,200 a game. Also running a Championship team is getting less feasible by the year for all but the biggest clubs which Dewsbury aren't. The shared cost of rates, power, maintenance, some staff and perhaps even an Academy are huge attractions to them even without the stadium upgrade and any monies they receive from us."

Just a couple of points.

1.Regarding Corporate and hospitality......I have no idea what is on offer at Dewsbury but according to Belly, the Dewsbury set up is superior to BV. He tells me there is a large room at the rear of the stand where he has attended several functions and it offers far more than BV.

Secondly the time factor....I can not dispute the way you have made the comparison and I will accept your conclusion that Belle Vue offers us more. However !!! Dewsbury will probably be not much different in 5 years time, but you can't say the same about BV, its rapidly deteriorating and as standards of safety and practicality improve it will fall further behind. So my point is that one day in the not too distant future BV will offer us less than Dewsbury and I believe this is a fair point to factor into considerations

All good thinking, but I would rather those phases be:
1. Build new main stand at Belle Vue, funded partly by the retail units that could occupy the front part of the main stand. For instance, a small supermarket that can reach out into the car park. Problems would only arise for 3 hours 13 times a year. The shop premises can utilise a huge car park. The main stand is merely the other side.
2. Build new western terrace with a roof.
3. Replace Benidorm flats with an away terrace, without a roof. Make sure games against Cas and Leeds are in February.

If I were involved with Dewsbury, it would be a big no-no. A permanent move would involve rugby fans in that area being attracted to Trinity rather than Dewsbury, due to the top flight status, particularly if the identity is less to do with Wakefield. They get a nicer ground but become diminished as a club.

I'm not against it PB in fact as it stands it's the only solution real as opposed to possible solution but we have to be really careful before we throw away our right to be at BV crumbling or not.

As for the hospitality I said it wasn't much but if you add the clubhouse and the boxes together then BV has more even from the outside you can see that unless it's a tardis .

The point I was actually making is that neither compare to the JJB or the KC or even Headingly. I know we'll never beat most of those but we need to be a lot closer than what Dewsbury has.

Like I say if we are moving from BV and the city then it has to be all worth it. If you're suggesting Dewsbury's ground as it is as a better choice than BV then sorry but I can't support you there. It has to be advantageous and well thought out or what's the point - we may as well die as a club at our true home rather than some tiny little ground on the edge of an industrial estate.

I thought the Dewsbury move was just on a temporary basis.

You could build Wembley there but it'd still be in Dewsbury.

Just think of the size of the old Superbowl and how an Aldi would fit onto that. Think of the retail shop fronts that could line a redeveloped stand and facing Doncaster Road. Pharmacy was mentioned. Costa. Fast food. The car park would easily accomodate it. All they have to do is develop the other side for the rugby, which I think is the gist of the new proposal being mooted.