Spot on Bren

Think that will happen when we have some news about Newmarket/redevelopment

WARNING LONG WINDED REPLY - SORRY.

I've read and digested what was said and I have genuinely put some serious thought into this reply.

First of all I hope that Mr Carter AKA Daddycool takes what I have to say as constructive criticism and open honest advise.

Nor do I wish to presume I know more than he does about Wakefields current situation, clearly I don't and probably never will that would be ridiculous. What I do have a good idea about however is how the game of RL in general works and how the Wakefield public thinks in particular.

First of all everything he said was spot on and why wouldn't it be he's a smart guy. That said it's nothing that wasn't stated almost word for word by Glover before him, Pearman before him, Richardson before him and Walker before him and on and on. They all meant it and were with the exception of Pearman reasonably sincere.

They all failed to greater or lesser degrees, as to why I wouldn't be so arrogant as to suggest I knew - I don't - no one does.

All I can do is offer my advise for what it's worth as to where I think the current regime is going right or wrong - this is the constructive criticism but mostly advice to which I eluded.

Rights:

1: Balancing the books. I've heard all the garbage through the years about speculating to accumulate etc but if the last 6 years of recession has taught us anything (and it should have) is that there is no substitute for being financially sound. How you interperate that is up for debate but for me it's basically the ability to cover your long and short term liabilities and although no accounts are available I suspect that is now the case.

2: I thought our recruitment this year was spot on - hard even taking Agar into account to explain quite why it hasn't made a better return but with similar shrewd recruitment next year I'd be very surprised not to see a marked upturn on the pitch.

The above is a very short list however the two ticks are against what in my opinion are far and away the the most important parts of running a club - and by some way.

Wrongs:

1: Relations with the fans. From my prospective and others may see it differently it's at an all time low. When the likes of Big Al refuse to watch the club then something has clearly gone wrong. We are not talking some petulant fool here but one of the most reasonable men I have ever come across on these forums. It's not just the loss of such a valuable and decent fan that's at stake here. It's also the loss of a fan and his family and some friends who IMHO are possibly worth one to two thousand pounds a years to the club. All the players and all the new stands in the world won't make up for that loss. Because if anyone thinks there are large numbers of Big Al families out there just waiting to be found then they are sadly mistaken. It will be some years and some silverware later before we can afford the loss of a single hardcore fan like Al. Mend some bridges now and drop some of the petty stuff because trust me we can't run this club in the same way you'd run your local multiplex, it's far more emotive and complex than that. If the Big Al situations and a few others are now sorted then fine job done and I apologise for bringing it up.

The above is my only real criticism and will probably stop me getting an invite to the Boardroom anytime soon, but then I don't think I'd want one because I'm not sure anyone would be listening - a feeling many others have passed onto me - this needs to stop for me. There is such a wealth of proven talent amongst our fan base created through years of struggle, it's almost criminal to ignore it. I'm not being naive either, I realise the final decision is Mr Carters and that WTRLFC is not a democracy but all the same nobody knows it all.

Into the advise stuff now and I accept some of what I say may not be possible but as they say if you don't ask… I'm basically going to tackle one subject Mr Carter raised and that's exciting the fans or by definition creating a feel good factor. It's always the hardest thing to fathom with Trinity fans and the last one to crack it on the pitch was Kear who may not have been the worlds greatest coach but certainly had charisma that fans seemed to buy into. It was certainly the only time in my 25 years that the attendance went up significantly and without giving tickets away - which is why I didn't include Glover who also created a buzz but one sadly built on sand - also I reckon that 2006 victory against Cas played it's part but it would be so so much better if it were a CCup win but that is something I realise can't be created to order.

2: Be as honest and upfront as we can about the Stadium good or bad, remaining positive without making promises we may not be able to keep. To be fair I think that's whats happening so just a reminder.

3: Make as many signings for next season before November as we possibly can (especially the big ones if there are any) and delay some signing info if we can so that the signings are announced in big groups rather than piecemeal for maximum effect, RL fans love this.

4: Make a massive fuss about any Academy players we sign full-time regardless of how much on the fringe they may actually be. It's a win win, if they make it we can all high five ourselves and if they fail well heck you gave them a chance. I'm not suggesting any exploitation here just positivity.

5: Make sure the merchandise is available by very early December, not doing will cost.

6: Reinstate the shirt presentation night at Mustang Sally's or maybe the revamped Unity Hall if ready. This was a great focal point for the coming season and held at a grimmer part of the year which made it a welcome relief. Do not hold it at the ground because that basically take away any glamour and cache there may be away from the event. Sure it will cost us in that we might have to accept a break even or even a small lost. However the excitement it created was worth it especially if the full squad was on show which of course they would be if most signings were made in November. It's also a lot easier to empty peoples credit cards on the night with a few beers in their bellies and rousing words in their ears. I know it goes against every bone in Mr Carters body and contradicts my own point but I think it does pay it's way it's just hidden on the balance chest as there is no column for good will or excitement generated.

7: Finally and if it could be budgeted for - an opening act on the first home game and some real cheerleaders. Chico was the first one I remember and rubbish though he is he had an effect as did Diversity and the lad who won I'm a Celebrity. Personally I don't watch them but others clearly did and it was another bit of theatre and feel good. Ditto the cheerleaders. Don't confuse this with the Dance Academy girls, I'm quite happy for them to frolic about all day long but not masquerading as part time cheerleaders please. Either have them or don't but they need to be the real deal in the modern era. This point is not vital but needed saying all the same.

So thats it from me, others may have more to add and I think they will all be worth a read.

I agree with you Vasty in relation to the relations with fans (and the other stuff).

There is a very anti-fan feeling from up high, and if you read MC's tweets they often feel the same. Lots of snider digs about "real fans" and do the Wakefield public want a super league team, etc.

Although this isn't a normal business, you do sometimes have to treat it like one. If the local multiplex stopped attracting customers, you wouldn't start going on about whether the people of Wakefield really want a multi-screen cinema, you'd work out why they weren't going anymore and devise a plan to get them back. The feeling I get is that it's "do you want a super league team or what?"

Spot on from Vasty. An additional point I would add is to review the non-smoking policy at Belle Vue. I cannot understand why a smoking area cannot be provided.

and where better to advertise than in your local cinema before the screenings



by the way vasty mustangs shut down but yes a shirt night presentations was where the shirts was reveal and provided a build to the next season

do you have one at cas

I still think that some so called fans are looking for the least possible excuse not to turn up,might just be my imagination,but that's what I feel.this is only my view and I know I'll get the usual slaver from posters,but I've not had any reasons to feel that MC and Co have any anti fan agenda.If they don't turn up then that's their prerogative,for what ever reason.It's sad really for Wakefield when they can watch Trin and sulk at the same time

Agree with most of your post vast man especially re the fans. I put something on Facebook regarding big al and his family in a string of posts in which the wildcats contributed. Sadly no reply from them was made. They don't seem to realise the ill feeling this has created with some fans. Until it all kicked off I wasn't even aware of this policy and I attend all home games apart from when on holiday, which I was at this time. It seems bonkers to me to alienate hardcore fans. Having said that I wouldn't have reacted the same way as al and his family butveCh to their own

You can have a cig at Cas in the open end (railway) or the left hand terrace across from the Wheldon Road end, or behind the main stand. I'm a non-smoker personally but I know some fans won't go to away games if they cannot smoke.

Fev recently tried to stop smoking at Post Office Road - it backfired on them and they have gone back to the previous policy.

Dooh, that was going to be one of my points. As Mr Carter said the old hoardings are outdated in the era of Facebook etc but very localised cinema advertising is hitting the right audience who obviously have cash to spare. I don't know whether it can still be done locally or at what cost but even just a pre season run maybe a possibility. Maybe in conjunction with a sponsor?

No you're right and that's the whole point - sad as it is it takes very little to put some people off and there isn't much anybody can do about that. All clubs have them and maybe for historical reasons we have more than most. However when fans like Big Al are staying home that's a whole new issue and needs addressing urgently.

Agreed, but there seems no give and take it's all blanket policies.

As a smoker I accept nobody want smoke in their face on the terraces that's just rude - but seriously what harm is it doing anyone but the fully aware smoker tucked away in some corner - it is plain dictatorial nonsense and has not a legal thing.

Also according to our head H&R guy and complete liar if what you're saying is correct it's a SL regulation but not one I can find anywhere though who knows as we no longer live in a a free country.

Al's a very strong minded bloke and I know this will be hurting him, the longer this goes the easier he'll find it

miss standing with him, real gent

this seriously needs addressing, I can understand on concreted areas but do we need another Bradford disaster to get this right

Very good post Vasty, I agree with everything you've said.

The point about Al is a really valid one, we can't have it both ways, we're a small knit community club that has a superb family atmosphere and diehard fans who'll always back the club. The moment you start eroding that cliff face you're in danger of the whole house falling into oblivion.

I know there has to be regulations but this has gone too far, from the outside looking in it seems a steward has misinterpreted the instructions and over enforced the rules. Unfortunately he's done so with a high profile, dedicated, respected lifetime fan who has a history of fund raising for both charity and club causes.

The club it seems have done what they think is right by backing the steward but oh have they got this one wrong. As the incident blew up out of all proportion, Al may well have said things out of indignation as he stood his ground but please let common sense prevail here and someone from the club be tasked with resolving the issue.

This

If I were a wakefield fan I'd rather stay at BV and develop it.its one of the best playing surfaces in the sport and the stadium is not far out of town,I always think these stadiums built on the edge of towns have no match day feel,,you can have a few nice ales in town then walk up same at cas and same at our place and it's something I think is important.
Also think you guys have got a real level headed good guy in mr carter.

Agreed, and I've said before, if Wigan, Huddersfield, Sts or anybody who's left their spiritual home had the chance to go back and totally redevelop that ground rather than move to another location I'm sure they'd all take it.

If we erect modern stands with all the facilities and equal Hospitalty opportunities that a new stadium would offer then I for one would be extremely happy. The ghosts and spirits of countless players past resides in this turf and there's something untangable, almost unidentifiable that we'd have to sacrifice if we moved.

I'm all for a modern and almost total redevelopment of the stands but to retain the playing surface that has been graced by legends for almost a century and a half would help to inspire future young players to don their Trinity shirts and tread in the footsteps of rugby Gods like Neil Fox and Jonty Parkin.

For every Big Al protest, there's hundreds of other fans that can be persuaded to get on board. Man up and move on, everyone can't be happy all of the time. The futures bright, the futures Red, White and Blue.

Warehouse 23 have been promoting some of the Wakefield games - maybe they could provide a midweek night at a reasonable rate for the shirt presentation ?

As for the fans, I believe Mr Carter is not bothered about losing a few in his target to make the club self sufficient and if this includes clamping down on people bringing in food and drink from outside and forcing them to buy inside then that is his way of doing it - we can accept it or we can walk away. He has let me down with his season ticket deals for this season and I am thinking of walking away after this season as I don't agree with what he is doing - however, my love of the club will probably overtake my dislike of his policies on this occasion but I'll see what the rest of the season brings. We will all choose to do what we really want to do when it comes down to it.

This is a cracking post Avenger.
I think everyone accepts the need to offer facilities fit for the 21st century, but if this can be achieved whilst staying at Belle Vue, I'm sure that most supporters would be delighted.

If it were a possibility, I'd be all for it - I just can't see how we can do anything further with the West or North Terraces with the houses and that snicket being how it is.

You win the village idiot award for the day so well done. Thousands of fans to take his place, hilarious no really - so how many days have you been "supporting" the club?

Oh here he is, who mentioned thousands ? Are you going it bully another member of the forum into being banned ? Seems like the pattern that occurs.