I have just scan read all the pages and will add a little more to Sandal Cat's post.

A very small number of us (well 4 of us!) were made aware of the plans for Belle Vue because of our close involvement on Newmarket. We were sworn to secrecy and kept our mouths shut but also, we knew about the plans but not how and when they would be announced at that time. I am not getting into the debate about the most important meeting in the clubs history stuff... not my place.

As Sandal said they are possibly going to be classed by the planners as temporary structures and therefore may not require any planning application or possibly just a very simple basic one. Either way, it does not really matter, they won't be an issue with planning.

We understand that this is the plan that has been put in the franchise application. Again, as Sandal says, this makes the ground close to compliant to the current SL standard and better than some stadiums that are expected to be awarded a franchise. The idea is this is just temporary for 2/3 years. The reality is probably only 2 years because the outcome of Newmarket will be known for the Stadium to be built in time for the start of the 2014 season... if Newmarket fails, well then that is a big problem that will need sorting if it ever happens, which is looking ever more doubtful every day though, so the odds are getting better.

I notice that good old Rugbyball the Flatcapper and confirmed Wakey hater is banging about it never happening, well I think that is wide of the mark. Glover (and a couple of other backers/sponsors) are of course not going to spend the money unless Wakefield get a franchise after July. However, I know that he has been offering Savills as much information as they want and it is them he has been working to provide detailed evidence to back-up the application. I understand that is one of the reasons that Savills were asked to go back and look at Wakefield and Castleford again, also because of the change in Castleford circumstances on the pending sale and future development of WR. It will be their report that will matter and I suspect he has shown them more than enough to convince them, I know he has convinced me.

The temporary improvements to BV will start straight away in August and be fully completed in time for the start of the 2012 season, as required by the franchise conditions. Don't expect a Wembley here folks, it will be cheap but cheerful but it need to be nothing more!

Is he rolling the dice... of course he is... do I think he will do what they have shown tonight if they stay in SL... yes, I have no doubt that it will happen! If they get kicked out... he will leave it alone and save the money and wait for the Newmarket decision. If that is favourable, they almost certainly will have to be let back in to SL in 2015... and not even at the expense of Cas... it could be Bradford that find themselves up the creek. If Newmarket fails, he will have to start again! Simple!

Just can't see tonight making enough of a difference. If we get 5 thousand members, great. But other clubs have already got that so its not going to turn any rfl heads. And as AG said himself bv still won't hit the criteria even with the work. Closer yes but its still a fail along with the others. Superleague ain't getting expanded, the moneys not there. So one team is going to go and it will be the admin that bites us on the backside there. A head turning annocement may have worked but this wasn't it. Good in itself yes but unlikely to seal the deal. Our main hope still is crusaders going tits up i'm afraid, like it or not.

Thank you


now I understand the context I am in support of the motion and will support however I can.

It is frustrating watching this from 13000 miles away...

the only issue is chicken and egg...

where is the building..,. if I were the RFL I would want to see building before awarding the franchise... it is likely Glover will want the franchise before building!

people have asked what I expected from the meeting... well this! Context!

It's sad that people should feel the need to dress up as fans in order to slate a club for its efforts to provide a better deal for supporters. It all sounds convincing, the 4.30 am starts and stuff, but it's pretty transparent when you look at the rest.

The RFL won't be fooled by any of the same bull they've received from the previous regime. They'll want proof. If the statements that have been made are kosher and give us the lifeline we need to protect and expand on the development of the club so far, then fair play to the Spirit of 1873. It may well be the most important announcement the club has ever made. If we're looking at Pearman II, then see you all at Eastmoor.

You suggesting I'm not a Wakey Fan?

You suggesting you are?

Im suggesting your a fool if you think i am some Cas troll? Or maybe i thought about this a few years back when i signed up. If brains where dynamite and all that.

I cant knock Glover for his hotspur however, it was MONEY that was needed to be thrust on the table.

I was glued to the thread wanting Parkin or some other investor to be the IMPORTANT in the most important night in Trinity's history however, we need to be realistic, all tonight appears to be is a fundraiser and PR exercise to remind the rugby league that we are still here.

You would have thought, after the last franchises and everything that's on the line for this, the people that judge this, will do exactly what you say. They'll require proof and costing and where the money's coming from and how it's going to be spent, time scales, the whole caboosh.
AG is either trying everything he can to keep us in SL, or he's been advised, that with 2 teams having sub par stadiums and are both waiting on new ones, it would be best, to redevelop the existing one and get it up to standard.

Don't agree, I don't think just cause Parkin would have invested, would have made a jot of difference, to the RFL or those rating the franchises. It would have been nice, if we had extra money, but if we drop a division, his money would be not much good anyway. The most important thing is getting those franchise points.

I'd imagine as they pay in 3 times it counts as 3.