I too went to the Championship final at Swinton as did 34,000 others. Left home at 3.30pm to catch one of the many supporters buses. A fantastic evening ending with Harold lifting the trophy and finally getting home at 2.30 am. No M62 in those days but a night that those who were there will never forget, and as a bonus I won 10 bob on the sweep with Ray Owen scoring the first try.

Love the pics....
Looks really good...
But surely they could have taken them when there wasn't snow on the pitch or on the new car park.

I never thought of them to be honest.

I was thinking more Ossett United or Wakefield AFC. On Wakefield AFC page, they have a plan to get them in the 4th tier of English football by 2032, and I think Ossett have a similar plan. I also believe MC has links with the Ossett club and it’s management.

Has any else on here contacted their local councillors yet? I’ve just emailed the Horbury/South Ossett three, asking them to support the Wakefield trinity application, and also support the Enabling Development, which we are relying on for considerable funding of the stadium redevelopment. I received a positive reply within minutes from councillor Byford.
Does anyone know the dates for the planning meeting. I doubt the public will be admitted, due to Covid restrictions.

John Minards mentioned in his stadium statement, a “Fan Zone” to be created behind the new East Stand. Can someone explain to me what a Fan Zone is. I’ve looked it up and it’s defined as

“ A fan zone is the name for an area or public space which has been designed for fans without tickets, allowing them to come together and still feel part of the action.

The concept has really taken off over the past decade. Often created close to the actual ‘field of play’, fan zones are created at all manner of sporting venues. Usually open up hours before the main event gets underway and often remaining open following the final whistle.

They are also known as fan villages and community extension areas in some places.”

Is this a posh name for a beer and burger bar?

It’s normally where they put promotions on mainly for kids to join in, a bit of sponsorship displays and so on to accommodate supporters before the game, works well at some football games and the Magic weekends at Newcastle. Don’t worry DS you don’t have to bye anything if you don’t want to, just your usual pie and peas

They have a Fanzone at Oakwell in the carpark behind the East Stand, which mainly consists of a makeshift bar seating area and stage to allow prematch meetings for a pint. a chat and a bit of music prior to k.o.. It's very popular with kids when the weather's agreeable. Could be quite a money spinner for WT.

Does anyone on here, know he long it takes for the council planning office, to list a planning application on their portal? I’ve had a look on wmdc planning application site, and the last entry for anything WT, was fo “Remove tree, due to damage to property” July 2020. Perhaps I might not be using the right key words in the search box, but I think the application hasn’t been listed yet.

A week or two for it to be validated.

That’s quick, is that the same as passed or is that just the start?

That's just to say the council have everything they need to begin the application process.

I forgot to mention, when looking for the trinity application, I came across this application from Castleford, just 2 months ago. Although it’s mentioned on the Cas forum, it seems to have gone under the radar. I wish both our applications well.

Application for a Certificate of Lawfulness to confirm that the excavation of foundation trenches and pouring of concrete to begin erection of foundations comprises the lawful commencement of development of Planning Permission reference 16/01544/FUL dated 8 December 2016 (for a mixed-use development comprising the erection of a 10,000 capacity community stadium (Use Class D2), Class A1 retail uses (up to 53,093sqm), Class A3 food and drink uses, a petrol filling station comprising sales kiosk building (Use Class A1) with associated fuel pump islands and fuel pumps, a country park (Sui Generis), highways improvements and alterations, car parking, servicing areas and extensive hard and soft landscaping)
Park Road/M62/Stainburn Avenue/Spittal Hardwick Lane (Land At) Castleford
Ref. No: 20/02122/CPE | Received: Fri 25 Sep 2020 | Validated: Mon 28 Sep 2020 | Status: Application Approved

Is my understanding correct that they Cas are reliant on the build of the retail units and retailers committing to those builds to enable funding for there stadium? If so I would imagine that Covid will set them back drastically in that which is really unfortunate timing, I cant imagine any retailers investing in expanding there high-street business at this stage.

Either way, I hope they can get something sorted although for some reason they don`t suffer as much on other supporters questioning the standard of there ground or delays to there plans even though I don`t think there is much difference between Wheldon Rd and Belle Vue IMO.

There isn't. BV has better lighting, better access and better corporate. Cas has more cover and certainly better terracing and views. Both have decent pitches though Cas pitch is a bit small.

Truth is they are both very poor for the 21st century. The other big truth is that BV is the only one of the two that can be re-developed at something like a sensible cost. For Wheldon road to be modernised successfully IMHO the pitch would need to rotate 90 degrees which is effectively a total rebuild. BV already had better access, now with the bypass, it's even better, WR is quite literally up an ally.

Put simply Cas have to get a new build IMO there is simply no option, we have finally or should I say hopefully put that one to bed. I know which position I'd rather be in. Neither of us has our futures in our own hands but at least we have a hand on the ball.

I would hate to lose Cas or any traditional club but it's getting tight for then as far as I can see. To be fair though I don't have any real idea where they are at present planning wise.