Ah well, you didn't mention that. Universities were probably the only places outside of London where hard drugs were available.

My brother has been a policeman since 1984 and he says drugs were not an issue in Wakefield until the very end of the eighties with the rave scene and even then it was limited. The only areas he recalls with serious drug issues were parts of Leeds (won't take much working out) and one of the Bradford sink estates.

He's retired now but he will tell you that drugs are everywhere now and the police are almost powerless they are so overwhelmed, hence the availability and the temptation.

Drugs were glamorised in the sixties and seventies and the trail of destruction and corruption is there for all to see. I'm so glad I was around in the 80's when we were just playing at being rebels, now it's for real and it's awful.

I sincerely hope Minns is reformed and if he joins us has a great career and will carry on preaching the anti-drugs message because it's sorely needed.

Semi related I wonder what the rules are going to be on Boxing Day and wether or not we will get a chance to have a look at him in the red white and blue.

Despite the relatively low profile nature of our signings we do seem to have a number of players - mainly backs that haven’t played for us before

I think we could have made some very shrewd signings, certainly Minns and the young kid from Leeds, added to Whitbread - all three have something to prove and that's what we need.
I'm quite happy with the recruitment, particularly when you think the likes of Murphy, Bowes and a few others are all that bit older and more mature and surely knocking on the door of the first team very soon!

Don't think we've signed Minns yet, but I reckon if he passes muster he's a very good signing. He and Croft add good cover to the centres.

Whitbread is the only known IMHO, he will either be great or a bit of a dud it's hard to tell as I just can't find enough on him to make a judgement.

Yeah getting carried away a bit regarding Minns !
Whitbread has played a few NRL games though so looks promising, but I agree only time will tell.
A mixed bag of recruits but that's what makes it good to me because there's bound to be two or three that will be good for us.

Minns and Little Dave both now signed up... https://wakefieldtrinity.com/blog/2022/ ... -for-2022/

Minns and Little Dave both now signed up... https://wakefieldtrinity.com/blog/2022/ ... -for-2022/

Think this is good news both will be eager to impress as they will want longer deals and i would only imagine they wont be on big bucks tom is a good experienced player and gives some strength in centres and armydave as vasty called him really does look like he could become a handfull

im looking forward to seeing the development of players coming through the system and the reserve grade will be very interesting to watch....

im looking forward to seeing the development of players coming through the system and the reserve grade will be very interesting to watch....

I Agree and I'm pleased they've both been signed.
Plenty of options now in the threequarters, and not just players making the numbers up but genuine quality prospects!

Think that’s the difference.

I genuinely believe that all the players now promoted from the academy to first team have a genuine chance of making it. That’s not to say they will, a long way to go yet. But gone are the days when you just knew that these lads weren’t good enough at SL level and never would be.

We’ve had a few really good Academy teams but they were teams and the lack of advancement of individuals tended to prove that.

I think we had a happy accident with Crowther, Jowitt and TJ in that the set up they came through was not especially good but they were.

Now I think the set up is good and so are the players and from what I’m told the next batch has even more natural talent in it.

If you’re going down the grow your own route then it takes time and there will be false starts but persistence is everything. Even if this latest group isn’t the one the next one may be.

Of the two army Dave is the more interesting for me.

Minns is a straight up player, if his head is straight he will do a job but I don’t think he will break any pots. He probably peaked at HKR but you never know.

Army Dave could either be a complete waste of space or a terrace hero, he’s that kind of signing. Let’s be honest he’s a complete gamble, no real pedigree not even in Union so he’s hardly a coup on paper at least.

However he is big, looks quite fast and seemed fairly brave so there is something to work on. Also without making racial stereotypes these Pacific Islanders do seem to have a natural exuberance and self belief. Further fortified by a stint in the Army of a foreign nation, bound to make you grow up a bit. I’d be very surprised if he shows any lack of desire, ability, we’ll have to see. If he gets of to a good star I think that will help no end.

Wish them both luck but then why wouldn’t you.

I think Dave is exciting because he looks to be a very talented natural athlete. He won't be anything more than cover but I expect he will show real flashes of exciting play along with a good few errors. I think he will be great to watch in the reserves.

He won't have cost the world and this year is probably one were he will learn his trade in the reserves as he looked very raw against Leeds, but that was to be expected.

Few question marks over contracts at the end of the year and if he gets experience and develops he may well find himself starting on the wing in 2023 as he has the athletic potential, it's how the rest comes together that could dictate that.