NM was offered on a shared basis BEFORE it was revealed publicly. Cas didn't want it at the time as they were, in their own minds, well on their way with GH. IF it had been announced then as a JOINT effort, PERHAPS it would have been saleable to both sets of fans. The minute that failed it was never gonna be for clubs.

I personally prefer separate stadiums - as much for the identity of Cas as for us. RL should remain within the communities it serves - NM is just about in Wakey, but is not considered part of Cas. GH is certainly not part of Wakey!!!

Some of the comments on both sets of fans are quite cringe worthy but are expected due to the rivalry

To be totally honest I could be jealous of what Cas can achieve by redeveloping their original own ground but this will only be done by funding by a wealthy backer.

Belle Vue isn't going to support Wakefield for the future if its too stay in super league as you have to look at the full Newmarket development to understand that is more than a match day experience. It will be a heart breaker to leave but leave we must.

good luck to Cas in their plans to stay at WR

Should the RFL not assist in the Case project - following their involvement in Bradford?

I dont think that they have started building new stadia yet TRB.
In Castlefords case and with the benefit of hindsight, they probably should have gone down this route to start with, although it may be a while before we see any major changes down
the lane.
The idea was only muted this week and it didn't appear that any plans were in place, more that it was an alternative to Glasshoughton.

Question for Wakefield fans

If 133 years ago we had moved to a new ground at or near Newmarket Colliary and today we were talking about moving to a new stadium on the current Belle Vue site
Would you think that we were doing the right thing to move away from the motorway links in order to relocate the club in Agbrigg?

It's just the luddite factor.
Human nature makes most people nervous of change and most of us have very fond memories of BV, together with a tried and tested matchday routine.
Having said that, for our club to progress, there is no alternative so, onwards and upwards.

Of course we wouldn't but thats not the only consideration that such a decision is made on.
Personally i think NM holds some great potential, however it also is a risk that is undeniable.
I'm not privy to the financial facts of either staying at BV or moving to NM or what that means to the club, the people that are have made the decision based on us being kicked out of SL if we don't move.
That threat may now have diminished, i trust the people who are making the decision to factor that change into the equation and if it is still the best option to move to NM then that is fine, if not there is no harm in changing our mind if it benefits the club on all fronts.

I disagree.
The main reason courted by JE is the threat to our SL existence by staying at NM.
Of course being in a purpose built site should hold other financial opportunities as well, but it will also hold significant risk too.
BV has shown what it is capable of under AGs leadership, and people in the RL world have taken note.
I want to make it clear I'm not against NM at all, but the landscape has changed, and it now deserves due consideration.
If the answer is still move to NM, thats fine, i just don't want us to march on regardless without giving it sufficient thought.

That's partly why I ask the question, no matter where we move, with the exception of a City centre location, there will be uncertainty and trepidation over it.

Belle Vue certainly isn't the best location for a modern professional Sports Club and we really need to relocate somewhere more conducent to the future development of Wakefield Trinity.

IMO, even if the RFL relax or completely remove the stadia element of franchise applications we shouldn't start second guessing the move to Newmarket because we're uncomfortable with the unknown.

You are right that the landscape has changed but, come the next round of franchises, many of the same issues that were present at the last round will still remain.
It does look less likely that an exsisting SL club will be dropped but, our governing body is more then capable of turning 360 degrees and whatever our friends over the common are saying and regardless of what may have been muted by the RFL, there is no doubt that a new ground offers better prospects for the future.
Like you, I have no knowledge of the financial implications of staying vs moving but, as many have said, potential for visiting fans (and home supporters) is far greater in a modern purpose built stadium.
Just as a quick comparison and we may not be going again in the near future but, faced with a trip to the old Hilton Park or to the Sports villiage at Leigh ,which ground would you prefer to watch a game of RL ?

IF there is going to be another round of franchises, the RFL have got themselves in a right tangle, so much so that any team being removed would easily have recourse against them.
Hilton Park was a right dump but personally i would rather stand; so if it were a straight choice between being sat (as we were) at LSV or stood up at HP i'd stand.
I'll throw a few back at you, KC or Boulevard, JJB or Central Park, City of Salford Stadium or The Willows???
I'm not a luddite, but i love the mystique, years of history and outright quirkiness of the old grounds.
SL is a summer sport, and ever since its introduction the RFL have been trying to put us under cover after a 100 years in the elements. Its part of what makes our game the game it is and the game i love.
For me there is nowhere better than BV on a sunny day!!!!
Of course ill go to NM and embrace it but my heart will always hold BV dear.

The jury is still out Kinley.
KC over the Bouleverd, Central Park over the JJB (for atmosphere only though, the view is far better now, notwithstanding the fact that you could stand wherever you wanted) and we never got to Salfords new ground, so i'll let you know next season.
Warrington is another example, the new place does look a bit Lego like but its an excellent RL ground and certainly an improvement on Wilderspool.
Most of the new grounds are an improvement and we can learn from the likes of Warrington where they have a mix of seating and standing and personally I would rather stand and be able chat to fellow supporters etc, which is difficult in all seater stadia (apart from in the bar)

Whilst I understand your 'fears', I would reiterate that this has far more to do with delivering a business than anything else. NM offers a facility that will be far better utilised by our own Community groups, Dance teams etc - which all bring in revenue to the club - as well lending themselves out for rental to countless other bodies - even the RFL themselves - for training / corporate and social events. If we are to survive and thrive as a club - without a Sugar Daddy - then we are reliant upon this side of the business to make up the shortfall that ST's and gate receipts just can't provide.

Moving to NM is much more than just 'ticking a box', it is, and always was, envisaged as the total solution to our years of struggling.

This is 'essential', not a 'nice to have'!

Have to agree though - love BV on a sunny day - or a wet day for that matter!

The RLF may well relax the requirements on facilities to “fit for purpose” which is the sensible thing considering Bradford. We also have to factor in that come franchise decision time NM will give us extra brownie points in the RFLs eyes. Going up against Fax or Leigh and others with decent grounds it won’t be a negative. Going up against Cas it will be a positive. What I’m trying to say is that while we have a franchise system we’ll always have mud thrown at us for not providing on facilities when other clubs have gone to the trouble. That could ultimately cost us a place a top table.