celebrate wakefield

At the end of the presentations Eddie Hemmings paid a special tribute to the 5+ years that John Kear has had at Trinity. There was an accompanying video charting some of the best moments followed by a reflective interview with JK.

John was asked to return to the stage where he received a huge standing ovation which went on for some time and briefly moved JK to tears. It was a fitting display of appreciation of what JK has contributed to Wakefield Trinity. The highs of a CC Semi and Play offs, his ability to navigate the lows of our financial crisis and the way he conveyed great compassion but quiet resolve in the face of the tragic loss of Adam Watene & Leon Walker. Eddie Hemmings was genuinely moved, shocked that a departing coach could be leaving with such a rapturous show of appreciation rather than the normal derision.

The Scholarship, Academy and U20 award winners were also brought up to the stage to be recognised.

The back room staff who are leaving were given mementoes of their time at the club.

The Wakefields Got Talent winner banged out a few songs and she was very very good.

Back for Good were also excellent and probably sound more like Take That than Take That themselves.

556 people there!

Reception rooms were just right, enough bar staff, nice welcome from ushers and we weren't kept waiting too long before being moved into the marquee.

The venue was superb even if it did sway in the wind a bit.

Food was very nice, served quickly, hot and plenty of it.

Andrew Glover wants to make the event even bigger and better next year and a goal of 1,000 shouldn't be beyond us if this years event is anything to go by.