Giving a piece of land doesn't cost the council money, ok the overall value of council land would be diminished but wouldn't actually cost them hard cash.

It depends what they have earmarked for the land but, I take your point.

No, and haven't for many years, and yes, you're maybe right, that the city has changed in many respects. I think any change in Wakefield is more marked because it was a city that was barely touched by immigration. The Asian immigration patterns in the north follow the textile towns, which is why it seems to end at the M1, when the industrial towns became mining towns. What Wakefield is perhaps experiencing is a first wave as far as the city is concerned, whereas places like Dewsbury had their first wave a few decades ago. But there must surely be a local identity as far as people who live in Wakefield are concerned?

It's a chicken and egg scenario, I guess. People support the club, not the city, but they support the club because it's the city they are from (and were dragged to games as kids).

Having read MC's article today, it does seem there are some cautious signs for optimism, but I do worry what would happen if the club left Wakefield, especially if it dropped the name Wakefield.

Sorry , but which article is that ? would appreciate reading it. Thanks in anticipation

Quote: Prince Buster "Sorry , but which article is that ? would appreciate reading it. Thanks in anticipation'" www.loverugbyleague.com/news_245 ... -back.html There you go PB

Quote: Prince Buster "Sorry , but which article is that ? would appreciate reading it. Thanks in anticipation'" www.loverugbyleague.com/news_245 ... -back.html There you go PB

Here you are Buster.

rlhttps://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_24531-wakefield-belle-vue-is-holding-us-back.htmlrl

I was born in Wakefield and have never lived outside the city boundary, but I'm now entering my 61st season as a supporter of Wakefield Trinity and witnessed very good, good, bad & very bad times as such. It grieves me to say it but if a move to Dewsbury came about it would only have to be on a temporary basis for me. I cannot imagine anything else other than the walk down St Catherine street (as bad as it is), and taking up my spot in the corner of the terrace.
I do have a contingency in that I hold a season ticket for a neighbouring football club that wears red, but my real love is for Trinity. To move away from the city and the game that I was brought up on would be just too much.
I've only visited the Owl Lane ground once and that was just after it had opened. didn't think much of it then and from what I've seen of it recently I don't rate it as a Super League ground. Anyway, who knows how sustainable Dewsbury Rams are? God forbid, but in this day and age how long are they likely to be around for?
My personal dream is for Mr Carter to convince the new owners that a greatly improved Belle Vue incorporating retail and leisure facilities is a viable commercial proposition.

I can see how a main stand that is a rugby stand on the inside but retail units on the outside would work.

Should the move to Dewsbury be anything other than temporary, and Wakefield be dropped from the name, then I'd be very much finished with the club and probably Rugby League as a whole.

Well prepare yourself would be my advice because I recon the Dewsbury move is very likely to happen and be permanent.

As for dropping the Wakefield bit that was just my opinion I doubt very much that would happen so that's one concern you don't need to bother about hth

I can't see how we could move there permanently but keep the Wakefield name in the long run? Unless it's for a set period of time whilst Belle Vue is redeveloped then I think it's the end of Wakefield Trinity as we know it. Personally I'm happy to keep watching at Belle Vue as it is.

I've read the article in question but it's a bit light in detail. Is this retail/ground development going to be funded by 88m group alone? The last piece I saw regarding this was 88m calling for Yorkcourt to get involved, which I think we all know unless there is a major shift in their position, is a remote possibility!

I read it as being light on detail because MC knows that there has been too much false hope. By not saying anything, he's perhaps not jinxing it. He's of the "believe it when I see it" mentality, but at least there is a plan of some sort.

Yeah that's a fair point. I think the last thing we needed to see was another 'new stadium for Wakefield' headline!