Says who, just another mindless cliche.

There are about a dozen players on the planet who would sell season tickets, maybe a few more after the WC. The former certainly aren't coming to SL or if they are probably not to us.

I know for a fact that when the last really big name signed in David Solomona there was no verifiable increase in ST sales.

The sooner the team is settled the better and that may make a few who are wavering take the plunge before Christmas, but a mass increase in sales, pure myth IMO.

So unless we can pull a Wally Lewis out of the bag, then it won't make a jot of difference.

Put it another way success sells, to increase the chance of this you need a successful squad, if we had then we would not see season tickets fall by 20%.

Not so. Yes ST sales fluctuate to a small degree based on success on the field. However the main reasons are COVID and the now the re-development work.

A lot of that 20% imo are either people who got out of the habit or didn't feel happy to risk it so soon after COVID. And those who don't want to understandably pay for games they may not wish to attend either due to fears regarding the weather or the position of the temporary seats.

ST sales will stabilise next year due mainly to the new stand, a good season will help but IMO will be marginal.

Add to that the current state of the energy market, fuel costs and now mortgages and possibly food it’s a challenging time for all sports clubs.

Just a thought but as the licenses will likely consider attendances to some degree I wonder if it would be worth having £10 tickets at some games in 2024? The year which licenses will be awarded at the end.

Obviously I know that there may be some lost revenue but if we can bump up our attendance that would also work in the clubs favour hugely come licensing decision time. Perhaps take a short term hit for a long term gain in some respects.

Is catering in the ground remaining outsourced? Or will this transition to club run? Obviously higher attendances would mean more money for the club you’d expect.

Attendances are one thing we will have to address over next 1-2 years and try to bring our average up through whatever means.

The problem with this idea is how do you compensate ST holders. It wouldn't bother me, I'm not rich but I can take a £15 hit for the odd game. However some people just don't see it that way.

I'd do it for the Catalan game obviously and perhaps controversially the Cas game. It's the latter that would get you a massive attendance. However I'm are assuming we will be back to full capacity at that point. Knowing the RFL they will go out of their way to have all our big attendance games at the start of the season, you just know it.

Even more reason to do it in 2024 when it really matters (I think the end of 2024 is when licences are solidified and a decision is made on the league clubs are in).

As you say that’s probably the only issue that some ST holders may wan’t some form of reimbursement. Personally it wouldn’t bother me.

If we were to really market the £10 then we would likely only need to do it 2/3 times to see some good attendances. Put on some pre match local band/entertainment and if we net a win we could see some new trinity fans too. No point doing this till new stand is open except maybe against Catalans.

We could just make up the attendance like the last mob did



Which was all well and good until the tax man wanted paying for these invisible spectators.

Well, we will never know.

Oh yes. Of course you counted them.
Baffles me every time someone starts this.
If they'd lied to the tax man about income they would have been in jail for tax fraud.
So let's not do that.

Your right ofcourse but it does beg the question where these fans went or even how we can get them back. Suppose that’s something positive that higher attendances are attainable.

Absolutely. That's the challenge.
I'm certain the stadium is the first step. Those extra people won't come to the photo Sts shared. They want to come to a modern, safe stadium.
So we are at least taking the first step.

They weren’t fans… just free loaders

It's not guaranteed, but does help. I think our crowds were up in 2017 & 2018 slightly.

I do think when it's done, there will be an initial upturn in attendance, both home and away fans, as there will be an arrow curiosity. It's how long we keep them engaged for.

Food for thought, an extra 100 fans is approx £30k extra revenue, 200 fans is £60,000 and if it were possible, 500 would be around £150k, this could be more, depending on merchandise etc. This extra revenue could go toward squad improvement, whether it means bringing in a new player, or using it in retaining valuable squad members

From what I understand there was never a tax issue with the Glover era attendances. They were nominally accurate and I personally recall the crowds felt larger.

The issue as I understand it was that a huge number were simply not paying.

Grossly unfair on those that do. Whilst someone with a basic grasp of economics knows to disastrous.

I detest freeloaders with a passion. Not just because they rob the club of revenue but also because they have the audacity to moan more than anyone else.

I know one who threw his complimentary ticket onto the pitch after a narrow loss. Everything is wrong with this scenario but the stunning thing is he got in and didn’t even have to hand over his comp ticket! That’s how lax it was under Glover.

Anyway back on topic, the squad so far seems extremely thin. A good rump of players to build the team around especialy some young ones who will only improve. However no sign of the two or three really major signings that we need to make us very competitive.
I believe this season will be harder than last year mainly due to the fact that wire will not be so poor and Leigh will be far stronger than tolouse. So all this talk about the need for increased gates and the obvious benefit that the new stand will bring is fair enough. However a decent team that wins plenty of games especially at home is essental and without that I really cant see how the club can grow. If the club plan to do the basic minimum against this season and just hang on to await ground improveents, i think that is a dangerous approach. However from the vibes I am getting it seems to me we are going to gamble again with a very tight budget player wise and then hope we get some more money to spend when the new facilities kick in. Thats OK if it works but we could still suffer relegation and then what happens ?

Sadly we need to look better on the attendance figures next season, Our average gate fell by over 800 per game, I reckon that’s near enough a quarter million £ over the season

Super League clubs' 2019 and 2022 attendances compared

Castleford - 2019: 7,253, 2022: 7,542. Difference: 3.98% increase
Catalans - 2019: 10,259, 2022: 8,068. Difference: 21.35% decrease
Huddersfield - 2019: 5,226, 2022: 5,144. Difference: 1.56% decrease
Hull FC - 2019: 11,478, 2022: 10,763. Difference: 6.22% decrease
Hull KR - 2019: 8,220, 2022: 7,788. Difference: 5.25% decrease
Leeds - 2019: 12,727, 2022: 12,940. Difference: 213: 1.67% increase
Salford - 2019: 3,746, 2022: 4,529. Difference: 783: 20.9% increase
St Helens - 2019: 11,910, 2022: 11,851. Difference: 0.49% decrease
Wakefield - 2019: 5,468, 2022: 4,613. Difference: 15.63% decrease
Warrington - 2019: 10,468, 2022: 8,719. Difference: 16.7% decrease
Wigan - 2019: 11,432, 2022: 12,278. Difference: 846: 7.4% increase
Promoted club - London 2019: 2,021, Toulouse 2022: 4,974, Difference: 2,953

Over and above all we must not finish bottom next season and it will be harder as Leigh are better prepared than probably any other team has been coming up next year (only need a handful of players and most will have played together).

The highest risk to trinity in the short term is relegation and the squad must be built that can steer us away from that.

That certainly doesn’t mean that we can rest on our laurels and just depend on winning more games and hoping that draws supporters in. It will certainly help if we do win as you say and there does need to be the ambition to build a team capable of playoff rugby.

Continual improvement needs to be looked at in all areas though and there’s plenty of potential for growth in Wakefield trinity. I don’t envy the trinity directors and staff as it’s going to require a lot of planning and effort as well as possibly some funding but I do have confidence in them.

I don’t think they will wait for the ground to release funds and I do think that they will build a team capable of improving on our 10th place finish.

I was beginning to think think the Miller story had gone away, just seen this on Sky sports page.

Jacob Miller: Half-back swaps Wakefield Trinity for local rivals Castleford Tigers
Half-back Jacob Miller has left Wakefield Trinity to join the Castleford Tigers on a three-year contract ahead of the 2023 Betfred Super League season; Miller will be reunited with his former Hull FC head coach Lee Radford at Castleford

Last Updated: 04/10/22 5:00pm

Jacob Miller is crossing the West Yorkshire divide to join Castleford Tigers from Wakefield Trinity ahead of the 2023 Betfred Super League season.

The 30-year-old half-back confirmed in August he would be leaving Trinity after eight seasons with the club, during which time he was appointed captain.

Miller has now signed a three-year contract with Wakefield's rivals Castleford, who had been looking to replace Hull FC-bound half Jake Trueman and cannot wait to get started at the Tigers under Lee Radford.

I'm obviously moving to a cross-town rival but the team and the squad that we are building for next year is really exciting," Miller said.

"It's probably the main thing that attracted me to come here. I will also be linking up with some familiar faces that I have played with before and been coached by before, that is another thing I am really looking forward to.

"It was a tough decision because Wakefield has played a big part in my journey over here and I've got nothing but good things to say about the place.

"I am grateful for everything they have done for me, and it was a decision I didn't take lightly. It was a great place for me but at the same time, I am looking forward to the new challenge."

It was the worst kept secret out there. Personally think we have had his best years, 3 years is a risk for Cas, but thats their problem now. What the club must do is find someone better. Smith from Fev is a name doing the rounds. He may have potential but he has never played at the top level. He could be a very shrewd signing and a gem uncovered. The again its one big risk IF ! , he is going to be one of our first choice halves.

Quote ="Prince Buster"It was the worst kept secret out there. Personally think we have had his best years, 3 years is a risk for Cas, but thats their problem now. What the club must do is find someone better. Smith from Fev is a name doing the rounds. He may have potential but he has never played at the top level. He could be a very shrewd signing and a gem uncovered. The again its one big risk IF ! , he is going to be one of our first choice halves.'" PB Smith played 26 times for Warrington in SL and also played for London in SL, he’s no novice. Seemed to lose his way when London got demoted. By my reckoning he’s played as many as 30+ SL games. He’s yet to hit his potential but he’s not untried at SL level. Also scored 22 tries in a season for Fev this year, not to be sniffed ar. Obviously this info if from Wiki so you can’t always be sure but I think in this case it’s about right. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_ ... gby_league)

Quote ="Prince Buster"It was the worst kept secret out there. Personally think we have had his best years, 3 years is a risk for Cas, but thats their problem now. What the club must do is find someone better. Smith from Fev is a name doing the rounds. He may have potential but he has never played at the top level. He could be a very shrewd signing and a gem uncovered. The again its one big risk IF ! , he is going to be one of our first choice halves.'" PB Smith played 26 times for Warrington in SL and also played for London in SL, he’s no novice. Seemed to lose his way when London got demoted. By my reckoning he’s played as many as 30+ SL games. He’s yet to hit his potential but he’s not untried at SL level. Also scored 22 tries in a season for Fev this year, not to be sniffed ar. Obviously this info if from Wiki so you can’t always be sure but I think in this case it’s about right. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_ ... gby_league)

Quote ="vastman"PB Smith played 26 times for Warrington in SL and also played for London in SL, he’s no novice. Seemed to lose his way when London got demoted. By my reckoning he’s played as many as 30+ SL games. He’s yet to hit his potential but he’s not untried at SL level. Also scored 22 tries in a season for Fev this year, not to be sniffed ar. Obviously this info if from Wiki so you can’t always be sure but I think in this case it’s about right. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_ ... gby_league)'" and his grandad was a good player

Quote ="vastman"PB Smith played 26 times for Warrington in SL and also played for London in SL, he’s no novice. Seemed to lose his way when London got demoted. By my reckoning he’s played as many as 30+ SL games. He’s yet to hit his potential but he’s not untried at SL level. Also scored 22 tries in a season for Fev this year, not to be sniffed ar. Obviously this info if from Wiki so you can’t always be sure but I think in this case it’s about right. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_ ... gby_league)'" and his grandad was a good player

Quote ="vastman"PB Smith played 26 times for Warrington in SL and also played for London in SL, he’s no novice. Seemed to lose his way when London got demoted. By my reckoning he’s played as many as 30+ SL games. He’s yet to hit his potential but he’s not untried at SL level. Also scored 22 tries in a season for Fev this year, not to be sniffed ar. Obviously this info if from Wiki so you can’t always be sure but I think in this case it’s about right. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_ ... gby_league)'" See his recent highlights here…. Looks like a copy of a younger Miller. Seems to be be an aggressive tackle and have a good running game. That said the one think he looks to have is a nice little kick when on the opposition line. Some nice touches and an area we have been lacking recent years. See them here IN https://youtu.be/VGyGOodqdsYOUT

Quote ="vastman"PB Smith played 26 times for Warrington in SL and also played for London in SL, he’s no novice. Seemed to lose his way when London got demoted. By my reckoning he’s played as many as 30+ SL games. He’s yet to hit his potential but he’s not untried at SL level. Also scored 22 tries in a season for Fev this year, not to be sniffed ar. Obviously this info if from Wiki so you can’t always be sure but I think in this case it’s about right. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgan_ ... gby_league)'" See his recent highlights here…. Looks like a copy of a younger Miller. Seems to be be an aggressive tackle and have a good running game. That said the one think he looks to have is a nice little kick when on the opposition line. Some nice touches and an area we have been lacking recent years. See them here IN https://youtu.be/VGyGOodqdsYOUT

Trinity closing in on a signing according to John Davidson.

No idea of the credibility or who.

Davison is talking about Smith.

My Fev supporting mate is quite surprised he’s got Super League gig. He’s a bit disappointed to be losing him but says he’s not sure he’s a top level halfback. He ended up behind Ryley Jacks and Jonathon Ford by the end of the season, rightly or wrongly. Personally not seen much of him bar the odd appearance on premier sports this year where he didn’t really stand out. I wonder if we have someone else coming in and he is effectively Brad Walkers utility replacement? Smith did play pretty much exclusively as interchange hooker during his time at Warrington. Either way our London 2019 contingent is running a bit low though with Sid departing so we need to keep it topped up!