In the 80's, Wakefield Trinity asked their supporters if they would like to contribute to the club. In return they would make them all Life members. Today, My Dad was informed along with 9 other pensioners (this is the total remaining) that they would no longer be regarded as life members. Supporters since the 60`s this has come as a shock. What are your thoughts ?

Have they given no reason as to why, how many did you say were left.

I took Life Membership around that time and paid Wakefield Trinity RLFC Ltd. As that Club no longer exists my LM went down the pan with it. I had a Main Stand Season Ticket for many years and I consider that I got my moneys worth and as the Club is now the Spirt of 1873 Ltd I don't have an issue with it.

Just my opinion, others may have a different view.

What are/were the benefits of being a life member?

I think thats answered you, its not the same club.

Thanks for your opinion its much appreciated. Yes he too had a main stand seat. I think that if your generosity and the rest of the LM's wasn't there, then i don't think the club would still be here. BTW I'm a MASSIVE Wakey fan and don't mean to upset anyone.

Without knowing the full facts and the way it has been communicated it's difficult to comment, but at face value, for 9 members (Presumably by the OP's comment) all pensioners, it does seem a bit harsh.... but as they say there's no sentiment in business.

The two OAPs that I know who are affected by this both have family members who buy a season ticket in order to accompany their dad/grandad. That means the club got to sell a season ticket off the back of the lifetime memberships of these two individuals but sadly that will end with this decision. Not only that but there are a few disgruntled people now having nothing good to say about the club as a result of their and their families experiences.

For me this is not good business and it wouldn't have been a big ask for the club to have allowed these guys a ticket.

I'll also add that all four of them and sometimes more than four spent time in the bar before and after games.

I can understand peoples concerns but I don't know what everyone else paid but I paid £500 for Life Membership sometime in the 80's which got me a Season Ticket for life. It was a lot of money then and say I've got 20 years out of it my ST has cost me £25 each year for the Centre Stand - I think I've had my moneys worth.

The Club (Spirit of 1873 Ltd) asked existing LM's to provide details of when you obtained LM and how much you paid and evidence of that fact. I had no evidence as if I'd kept any receipts they were long gone. When AG bought the Club all the records of members went missing so the Club has no records of LM's, hence them asking the question.

Last season LM's were honoured even though Spirit of 1873 Ltd had no obliogation to do so and I guess they took people on their word. They have now asked people to prove their right to LM which is not unreasonable.

I did not ask for mine to be renewed as I could not prove anything and I dont know whether the 9 mentioned have any proof. Even if they have maybe the Club feels that 20 years (guess) for £500 is not bad value.

As I said earlier LM was with Wakefield Trinity RLFC Ltd and that is exactly what we got but that LM ended when the WTRLFCL went into Administration.

Sorry if my views offend some but thats my opinion.

It's the same scenario as with the old shares. The old companies gone so we no longer have any shareholders other than ag and je I believe. Some people will have had thousands, the clubs still here but the company that used to own it isn't.

The new club can't be held responsible for what the old club owners did.
I also lost money when I purchased shares but I didn't expect the new owners to give me my money back. The way I look at it is last year they honoured my season ticket worth 180 quid that the previous owners got the money for. I personally think the new owners are doing a great job and if some fans can't see that. then I suggest you go and support Cas

I think youve misunderstood me. I'm not complaining just saying how it is. Many other people will have lost much much more in other businesses its just the way it pans out unfortunately

If they're proper Wakefield fans they'll understand what are new owners are doing and support them and our club. I know the life membership issue is different but I'm glad the club is stopping the freebies which alot people tagged onto there's some people who hadnt paid to get into belle Vue for years. I was in the club shop last season when a bloke claiming to be a carer for somebody wanted a free ticket, when asked for proof of being a carer he didn't have any so was rightly refused. He was kicking off saying he'd being watching trinity for years which he probably had, but without ever paying for the privilege

Not directed at you mate I'm with you on this one. People just have to bite the bullet on this one I'm afraid.

Barry Hough is one of the LM affected, he put over £200,000 into the club during the 80s, he paid for the building of the dressing rooms underneath the Cats bar, the very same ones the club uses today. He put the money up to make a number of signings bith 1st team and juniors and he never received a shareholding or anything other than his LM ticket.

This is the same Barry Hough that paid for Wally Lewis to come and guest with Trinity, paid his flights, accommodation, wages, provided him with a car etc.

He was a fairly wealthy man at the time but now in retirement he enjoys attending the games, proud of his part in keeping the club from folding when they were close to doing so on a couple of occasions.

On principle alone he will not attend another game!

That's wrong!

that I find harsh
but I do support the club in its forward thinking and we can't beholden to what the club decides

surly he could put his point of view across so they could understand how lucky they are at this moment

take for instance Ian has expressed his thoughts and can justify good value for money in helping them in the past as for Barry it looks like he has gone further than most

I think life membership should be given free to long standing season ticket holders one of our group has being supporting Wakefield Trinity since 1951 if that does not deserve a life membership I dont know what does

Strange one this. I too have nothing to show for my "Shares" in the old club but I can't say as I thought I had much to show for them whilst they were applicable.
Seems a bit petty to remove life memberships from a few old codgers who would presumably only be paying pensioners rates for any new passes?

Sandal Cat quote

[iI can understand peoples concerns but I don't know what everyone else paid but I paid £500 for Life Membership sometime in the 80's which got me a Season Ticket for life. It was a lot of money then and say I've got 20 years out of it my ST has cost me £25 each year for the Centre Stand - I think I've had my moneys worth.

The Club (Spirit of 1873 Ltd) asked existing LM's to provide details of when you obtained LM and how much you paid and evidence of that fact. I had no evidence as if I'd kept any receipts they were long gone. When AG bought the Club all the records of members went missing so the Club has no records of LM's, hence them asking the question.

Last season LM's were honoured even though Spirit of 1873 Ltd had no obliogation to do so and I guess they took people on their word. They have now asked people to prove their right to LM which is not unreasonable.[/i

Reading Sandal Cats post appears to me is that if Barry can show his investment with an audit trail then the club is prepared to listen.

Life memberships are a crazy idea, yeah the club got some money upfront but then what happens in the 3,4,5,6 years after.

If we're talking about half a dozen old geezers being disadvantaged by this decision, it would seem on the face of it to be rather churlish.

There seems to be a lot of people ignoring the fact that details of life members were not passed on to Spirit of 1873 Ltd so they aren't able to just roll things on. The club put a message on the website a while back asking all life members to provide proof of membership so that they could work out what needed to be offered.

If any life members can't provide such evidence then it's only fair to all supporters that they don't receive any preferential treatment.

i keep all my receipts from the 80s and 90s. yeah right.

While that is unfortunate how else are the current owners supposed to know who the life members are? It is an unfortunate situation and I have massive respect for those who stumped up £500 at that time but as has been said they've had a pretty good run at it and I'm surprised the deal has lasted this long given the number of financial meltdowns we've had since the 80's.

To be fair anyone could claim they are life members