If one of our lot get up before them I hope they mention the word 'hyperbole'.

So, up today are:

Jason Wilsher-Mills of the WT Disabled Supporters Association
Martin Shevill - Principal of Ossett Academy
Jonathan Stone - Residents For Newmarket
Phil Townsend - SWAG
Ian Bramley - WT Supporters Trust
Cllr Clive Hudson - Stanley Ward
Mohammed Ayub - Next Generation (see today's WE for their plans for Lightwaves)

Hope a few of you can attend and show support.

Twitchy bum time for some of us!!!

Good luck to all of you. I'm sure you'll do a great job.

Good luck to all involved, give 'em hell!

I have been this morning and what I can say to those people who did speak , very well done . Good clear message was put forward to the panel . No hidden agendas or nothing personal was said . Only one objector stood up, but in my opinion his argument was very weak and he quickly sat down

Once again very well done

I just got back from the morning session and am left with a very positive feeling; I missed Jason, but Armadillo spoke confidently about all aspects of the development and dealt robustly with some of the objections. Martin Shevill was very knowledgeable about the wider benefits of sport and sporting achievement, linking it (evidentially, as a National Learning Leader, Principal of a Sports College and member of the Youth Sports Trust) to improved academic performance amongst young people. TRB was fantastic - he charted the almost unbelievable journey to Newmarket, through 5 failed attempts at delivering stadia. Ian also gave an excellent account of the need for the development and spoke extremely forcefully about the benefits it would deliver.

After each speaker in favour, the Inspector asked if anyone who opposed the speakers views would like to ask any questions; only Armadillo was questioned, by a rather angry Methley chap who's best argument seemed to be that a) the original SWAG petition didn't give enough detail and b) when there's an accident on the motorway, it causes delays.

All in all, a very positive morning; I was struck by the number of people bringing time, professional expertise and passion to bear on this matter, for absolutely no financial gain - if this thing eventually comes off, SWAG members and whomever else has been involved will have been instrumental in adding value to the lives of Wakefield residents for generations to come. Without a hint of cynicism, it's very humbling.

Yes, well done everybody. Clear arguments in support, spoken with conviction and persuasiveness without going overboard. There was good support there (I could only make the last hour) and everyone on their best behaviour. If clear, logical argument wins arguments we would have no problems at all. At the end everyone I spoke to was in good spirits and confident.

Fantastic post.

Latest ramblings from Lurch go along the lines of all Wakefield fans are liars and could one of his Cas buddies post his inane idiocy on the Wakey board so that he can refute what Trinity fans are saying.

Those who are speaking up on behalf of the development (I think he means IA & TRB etc) are somehow on the payroll or in the case of IA he has a load of scrap metal to sell?

Think Lurch has spent too much time wandering around the slag and toxic waste that's been dumped on the old coliiary site he pretends to walk his mutts on.

I noticed that one too.

Given that IA has never attempted to hide his identity and has been 100% open about his professional interest in this matter, old Lurch is potentially treading on thin ice with that particular allegation.

Slugger - fancy a bit of pro-bono, to defend IA's reputation?