I went to see a union game at Christmas.

Gloucester v Bath.
It was a big game down there. I'd say Gloucester's equivalent to Wakefield v Cas.

In terms of the game, Burgess played 10 mins and touched the ball once, they couldn't pass the ball through the back line and not one scrum was won without a penalty, until they went to uncontested scrums. I actually enjoyed it though.

The thing that most struck me though was how much the Gloucester fans and crowd registered with me as a Wakefield supporter.

They have a nice sparkly new ground, but it is build on the site that Gloucester have called home for over 100 years.
They have a capacity of 16,000. It is a rugby ground not a football ground share.
There are two standing areas.
It's on the edge of the town centre so fans can get there by walking or public transport.
One of the club houses, behind the standing area called the shed, looks like the original club house, with teams and captains on boards dating back to beyond 1895.

For me it is a sign of what Wakefield could be.

The difference.
It was full. 16,000 paying £25 to stand and £30 to sit, with £40 premium seats in hospitality areas. They had a permanent big screen in the corner. They had high profile sponsorship everywhere.

It is only a question of money, but I don't think they have a sugar daddy. They have people who want to come and watch a game of rugby and pay good money for it.
One thing I noticed though is that the lower level games are about £10 less across the board. So they keep the attendances higher for those too.
Clearly there is less to do in Gloucester and more toffs too but the principle is the same.

It was a good day out. The pulled pork sub sandwich was very nice on a cold evening.
They felt it was a bit fiesty in the shed but apart from a drunk toff who threw his beer in the air (and was jumped on straighta way) it was all home fans with the odd Bath shirt.
Good atmosphere.

Oh to be at a game in a nice stadium at Belle Vue, with 16,000 watching us beat Cas.

I think its very difficult to compare both areas with Gloucester playing a national sport not a regional one in an area that has a wider interest across all class boundaries with' rugger' played in state and private schools and national businesses after media coverage. As you also said Gloucester is a wealthier area with less football interest..

There is plenty of wealth around Wakefield. They just don't come to see Trinity

Think its a complex issue and if we had the answer we'd not be on this forum.

Very true but I think Pop Tart had the crux of it with the words, "sparkly new ground". I love BV but when I've taken non RL people to games they've been distinctly unimpressed! You won't get many new people let alone those with dosh to a relatively primitive stadium (all the work that's been done recently notwithstanding). It's just not cool / the place to be seen.

This is the ideal scenario with Yorkcourts money this can be achieved. It will go someway to say sorry for the monstrosity in Stanley. Belle Vue location is perfect. We just need it polishing and increasing.

Interesting post from OP, raises some excellent points



I'm not sure everyone would agree with this though. I think there is a lot wrong with the location and is hardly ideal for away fans especially.

Parking aside why is it hardly ideal for away fans, I think BV is a breeze from both motorways, it's not like driving through a major city, plus they could always get off at the Normanton turn off. Sat navy's are pretty easy to use these days too.

Parking is the main issue and the fact that the surrounding areas are dodgy may also put some off. If we ever get to grow our home crowds this would become more apparent.

Some fans see a trip to the game as more than just turning up at 3pm and going home afterwards, they want a day out, but the options in and around are terrible in that respect (IMO of course, unless you enjoy the Con Club). Going to our home ground is hardly going to be at the top of people's lists because of its facilities and location - in turn its harder for us to attract casual fans and away fans.

Therefore I don't think the current location is "perfect" at all, as stated by the previous poster. Unless you live in the area of course.

Prior to Rugby Union turning professional Wakefield was and had been for a few years the top side in Yorkshire, having earned invites from the likes of Gosforth,Bath, and Leicester who between them won the John Player cup on a regular basis, when the game turned pro junior clubs like Rotherham were able to lure the better Wakefield players away with wages the college grove outfit could not match.

Wakefield at the start of the pro era were not perceived as a junior club yet no local wealthy backer came forward to help secure their future financially and as a consequence had to fold, I know there is a fair time span but personally I don't think much has changed and don't see anything altering anytime soon unfortunately.

Wow!! what a U turn, remind me not to ever rob a bank with you.

The only way we are going to get fans to that number and have that kind of experience up north is if RFL take the game to freeview channels that are free for people to watch and more games are aired. Is it as simple as that? not quite as apparently people in the sport dont want pay cuts - who would? so we keep grabbing SKYs money but with no real growth of the sport from my experience as a fan.

The sport won't survive without Sky. It has changed the game and I think we should appreciate that.
The free to air is good advertising but isn't the reason people don't come to teh games.
Stadium and media perception is more important in my opinion.

I like Belle Vue just needs money spending on it. Newmarket just smells of you know what to me. Belle Vue is our best chance now.

The sport may not survive without Sky but continually looking inwards is no way to get the game to spread.
The deal with Sky in the beginning was ground breaking and the partnership between the RFL under Moggy Lindsay was a good one with Sky.
But like any partnership, if you allow one side to become dominant, they will take advantage.
This maybe a bit strong but Sky has been supplying 'the good stuff', until the RFL is addicted and now is scared to go 'cold turkey' and explore other avenues.
It would have been nice to sit down and watch some week in week out Champoinship games this coming season but the coverage is limited.

A bit of silverware helps as well.

Agreed.
Although the Sky deal was very good, there seemed to be one hell of a rush to extend (without apparently exploring other avenues).
Other options certainly weren't made public and we are with Sky till 2021.
Sky may be good for RL but, RL is very good for Sky.

I've always liked the old lady. Not as glamorous as she used to be but could be made good again with some funding. Personally I don't think parking is a big issue as the walk from Heath common has become part of the occasion over the years. Last seasons trip was almost perfect with the good weather making the stroll from the common very pleasant and the ground certainly looked a lot brighter. If you get too many other attractions in the surrounding area fans won't spend as much in the ground.

Sorry but its Newmarket for me new stadium. new era .time for change !!!

I've been to all grounds and I can't think of any ground that's got good parking,I'm sure someone will come back with one,even Sharlston if a bit late

Different people have different views but I think until we have a sustained period of stability and a bit of success, it's going to be BV for the foreseeable future.
As for parking, it's not held Leeds back.

Just about sums up 3 pages of posts

Leeds has to be the worst ground for vehicular access/exit but it is one of the best match day experiences, fans can walk around before during and after the game, visit one of the many bars/fast food outlets in a relatively safe environment for all ages.
Widnes suffers from similar parking and access but again the ground is pretty good for the match day experience, don't think having close by parking helps any of these new stadia and if you've been to Salford/Warrington or Saints you'll no doubt agree (although once your out of the telcos car park at saints it's pretty easy going) Hull FC has massive parking facilities but it's a mare to get out of as is Huddersfield.
A decent ground with a good safe atmosphere is the best solution, not sure Newmarket would give us that and at the moment neither does belle view if we're honest about it (crowd trouble)

Yes I remember it well, the Wakefield RU coach got picked up by Rotherham in 98 and he basically cherry picked the best players to go with him at the time. Rotherham then got promoted to the top tier the following year and not long after that Wakefield RU shut shop.

That's the key, a sustained period of stability and moving up the table will see things change. A season here and there of relative success, scraping into the top 8 now and again doesn't really change the landscape unfortunately.