Apologies to Rugbyball for not being around for a while - I do have to try and find a little time to spend with the family - only I didn't expect it take me 9.5 hours on the M1 to get to London on saturday! Boy, I must have been proper evil in my previous life!

So, as always, things kick-off while I'm away - although I haven't even seen what Ted has said as yet. Personally, although I can understand Ted's frustration with everyone believing all things Cas, I don't actually agree that he should have come out and said so - I tend to agree with the majority on here that we should sell what we have firstly. It's a bit like the battle of Trafalgar Square (for fans of the Apprentice).

Re RB's quote about the 'Truth coming out', it has, and all we were doing is trying to second guess what was coming. There was a meeting planned, which we though would happen before any decisions were taken, and in the end it did not - hence us getting caught out by the timing.

Where do we go from here - onwards and upwards, but no-ones pretending any of this will be easy, and if I'm honest, I think Ted's comments may make things harder, not easier, but it's what we have to deal with and it still true that we would be light-years away from a solution without Ted.

Re. Thornes Park, the issues RB put's forward about timing are correct, and this was always an obstacle, but as we know - obstacles can be removed with political will. It matters little now anyway, but there is no doubt that we turned down a perfectly valid alternative as a result of the councils assurances on TP!

As for expecting WMDC to find us a home, it is true that we cannot do any of this without them - I think you'll find that's why SWAG exists in the first place - but we NEVER asked them to build it or to fund it. We have asked for support, which they have agreed to; we even asked them for land to build on, but it was always the intention to put a package together with a developer - and that is still what we have, despite the delays and the implications of it. We will continue to try and work to ensure that what has been put on the table, stays on the table, for today, tomorrow and for the future of RL in Wakefield!

RE Thornes Park, timing was not the issue concerning Thornes Park the issue was that no one wanted it in the Park and the public outcry would have been far greater than that over the Newmarket site.

I think the issue was the costs spiralling to circa. £60m.

The real shame in all this is that now we have a situation where the land in the middle of the park could be turned into a housing development rather than a sports village for everyone to use. One option would’ve given that section of the park back to the community, the other will give it to a few private property owners.

Timing was an issue, see TRBs post. Although you are right their was a public outcry.

You failed to mention why it was sold back for a nominal amount.

Your right one of the main issues was the spiralling costs, as the council had to make it more than just a stadium for the Wildcats to justify the using of public funds. Like I said in another post, the fact that the overall development was limited or even lacked vision other partners would have found it hard to make it work for themselves financially. IE a developer would have to build a lot of houses to offset the 12-13mil for the stadium. Warehouses were a non starter as its in the city centre and still not enough overall space to build enough to offset the cost of the stadium. Things are just really as straight forward as they seem.

Swings and roundabouts my friend, I assume your alluding to the running cost of the ground and the council not wanting to pay. Well if the council were getting such a good deal, then why did WTWC agree to buy it back? I would suggest it added a rather large asset to their accounts, for which they could borrow against and ultimately cash in on. And its not like WTWC have pumped loads into the ground. Infact if WMDC had still been owners of the ground then they would have probably been obliged to do much more with the upkeep than has been done.

Sort of,but in the main why bother dragging up something from circa 1996(think this was around the date it was sold back to club),without giving the full info.Other clubs in the district have received financial support from WMDC in bygone years.
Where do you draw the line?Its just gets tedious.

I agree, all clubs have received help from the council and I was only adding some fat to the bones of of what you and gizmo were alluding to.

Out of curiousity what help have cas and fev recieved from the council, as it appears it was before my time (pre super league is a little hazy to me as i was only a kid).

I believe the flat cappers also had a deal with the council regarding their stadium a few years back.

WMDC having previously purchased Belle Vue, one would suggest that that money was spent by the club, it is certain that the money recieved at that time was not spent on any refurbishment at Belle Vue. Allowing the Club to re purchase Belle Vue for a nominal amount has since allowed the Wildcats to sell the Belle Vue site for a rather substantial amount well above the amount paid to WMDC. Part of that money has already been spent. In total taking into account the level of investment promised by WMDC for the Newmarket development no supporter could ever be critical of WMDC in terms of supporting the Wildcats financially.

Your statement makes it clear you have little idea of why WMDC "purchased" Belle Vue.

Did Fev receive any help around 02 when they went into admin?