Agree, that's why Newmarket (or a redeveloped Belle Vue) was such an important project to Trinity, both from the stand point of getting out of crumbling ground, but from the stand point of also attracting new punters (both new ones from home and away), sponsorship, corporate etc. It seems we're going to be left with little choice but most thought in a new stadium, with a decent performing team playing in it, it could literally put thousands on the attendance. I can't see that future at Dewsbury unfortunately but I suppose it's better than nothing.

The other thing is, would Dewsbury let us have any stake in their ground. The only way I personally could see them agreeing to anything, other than just playing there and paying them rent, is if we bring cash to the table, or paying for making the place bigger. Something I think we'll struggle to do. Also I wonder if we made a permanent move, what would the RFL consider the minimum Capacity for SL?


Tbh I've been sticking it all to the back of mind recently because it's a complete downer. Especially when things look so positive in all other aspects of the Club atm and the only thing holding us back from really progressing is the bloody ground.

I can't see anything but a move to Dewsbury myself, I know MC likes to call people's bluff at times but reading the article on the ground holding us back he doesn't sound convinced.

Yes perfectly true and that is why approaching the problem in a managed way is much better than waiting for the inevitable to happen when BV will be deemed unsafe and we would have to make an immediate move perhaps mid season..

One other point, its not only Belle Vue stadium but the area around the ground which is also the issue. The way that part of Wakefield has spiralled down hill into its present state of degradation is a damning indictment on the Box controlled council.

I certainly know the location of the ground itself is a big negative factor to away supporters and also there are plenty of people in an around Wakefield who will hold back from trying out the 'match day experience' due to the location and state of BV.

I'd support a team that was merged, and retained the Wakefield identity but a team, even borne out of the Wakefield Trinity team, without Wakefield affiliation will mean nothing to me.
There is no diffference then to supporting Cas or Leeds.

I support Wakefield Trinity as it is my city team. Councillors will come and go but if you lose the Wakefield name you will lose your biggest draw to supporters.

People would come back in numbers I think, with a little success and the ground sorted (in the city!)
I wandered how long it would be before 'merger' was suggested.
I may be in a minority on here but a permanent move to Dewsbury is the end of Wakefield Trinity.

My thoughts also,

If we'd been having even a little success and the ground situation were resolved we wouldn't be having this debate.

Just don't see why folk are so unable to adapt.I am 65 ,yet can are a future for my beloved Trinity at Owl Lane.

We've just rebranded ourselves to cash in on heritage. Would be one step forwards and two step back, although I wouldn't blame the club. It wouldn't be the fault of the current chairman at all.

I didn't suggest it - just thinking aloud about whether the respective Chairmen might consider it...

Can I ask you something Slugger...do you still live in Wakefield?

I only ask because the Wakefield you speak of is long gone. I can tell you know I barely recognise the place especially inner city Wakefield it's so predominantly Eastern European or Asian or young flat dwellers who can't quite afford Leeds prices. Now before Admiral and co go into outrage mode I say fair enough to them for starting a new life they as people are not the issue. However they don't share our memories of Wakefield as it was in our formative years and they have no interest in RL or the club. That's just the reality of a city that has lost is identity even more than most northern towns.

So this idea of the heritage of the club being directly linked to the population of the city is pretty much dead IMHO and Box knows that better than anyone. I suspect that a huge proportion of Trinity regulars now live on the fringe of the city and beyond with ironically the main city enclaves of Lupset and Peacock being as close to Owl lane as Westgate and certainly BV. Other than shopping every now and then I doubt many of them involve themselves in the day to day life of the city as hardly any of them even work in the city anymore.

The existing fans predominantly support the club not the city. Whilst new fans will be attracted by the success hopefully generated and the chance to visit a stadium that on the outside isn't a magnate for fly tippers and degenerates while on the inside only fit for pig breeding.

I actually wish you were right I really do but I like many other fans are a stranger to the Merrie City these days and will remain so but I still support the club which in all honesty my only link with the place these days. That's how I see it even if it's not how I want it.

I agree if we took Wakefield out of our name I wouldn't follow a team that didn't represent our City. The rebranding to Wakefield Trinity and our traditional City badge have been a massive success because of this. I've followed LUFC all over but not with the same passion I have for Wakefield because Wakefield's my City. Stadium, I'd watch us at Owl Lane until we get our Stadium sorted.

Same could be said with nearly every City/Town and after visiting and seeing other places I'm glad to get back to my home City of Wakefield. If we had a decent stadium we wouldn't be having this discussion but I think eventually we will get one in the City of Wakefield, Belle Vue, Newmarket, Easter Relief road, or where ever there's plenty of sites in Wakefield.

Up the Trin

Although there may be "plenty of sites", realistically, it seems that we are limited to 2 (without adding another layer of cost)
Belle Vue or Newmarket.
After that we become even more "desperate" and that's probably where Dewsbury comes into the equation.
Plus, as we are not blessed with cash (understatement), we can only go with what may be possible and it's as clear as day that, WMDC will not "gift" us any land, maybe nothing at all so, where does that leave us ?

There seems little point wishing and dreaming for this piece of land or that piece of land, it will NEVER happen (especially as the council are skint).

TRB and Co have done and continue to do the best they can and they wont give up the fight but, 5 years down the line maybe we have to think of a new plan and unless someone wins the Euromillions we have to perhaps be a bit more realistic with our options.

Not sure about that, almost everywhere I go to the people have a stronger local identity than most Wakefield residents - maybe I'm hanging around with the wrong people