You are wrong about Wakefield District population growth Jamie. In fact the district has in the last few years expanded more than at any time since the 90s.More people are actually moving into the district than leaving.The population of the district has now reached almost 350000 and the city itself now is now well on its way to being over 100000.

That is good but the issue is still that they might end up supporting Cas, Wakefield, Fev Rovers or any of the more amateur clubs depending on whereabouts they move. I guess I was focusing more on the city of Wakefield rather than the council / district. Wakefield as a club (and Cas / Fev) could definitely look to do more with WMDC to get younger / new people to the area more aware and engaged with the clubs. Obviously not at present but when C/V does one. Thanks for the stats though pamsboy

I am curious on the non-expanding town/city point? Over the last 12 months Wakefield has seen the biggest increase in new housing and Wakefield district has seen it`s largest population rise in 25 years, on a larger scale in terms of % than any other city or town with a SL team. We have the 5th fasting growing economy in the UK according the Centre for Economics as well in terms of new businesses finding a home in our city and employment rate increase.

The point on distance between grounds is irrelevant really isn't it? Unless you use the argument for every other club in the league bar Catalan? Wakefield and Castleford are around 9 miles apart, Wigan and Saints are 9 miles apart, Saints and Wire are 9 miles apart, Hull KR and Hull FC are about 6 miles apart. With Wigan, Leigh, Saints, Widnes, Warrington, Salford you have a similar distance with the likes of Wakefield, Cas, Leeds, Hudds, Bradford - Just wondering why you pick Wakefield out in that?

And looking for University status, although, I think it would be allied with Huddersfield ?

I agree that N. America was the wrong choice, not necessarily as somewhere to try and expand the game but, definitely as a new area in which to locate a SL club.
It was wrong at the time and looks even worse now.
The game should spread slowly from it's core with decent organic growth.
However, if this was ever the plan, places like Sheffield and maybe, even Nottingham, should have been given some help - to ensure that the game could grow in these areas.

RL is always looking for a quick fix or magic silver bullet and despite endless failed ventures, "we" just don't learn.
Yes, we could do with some more razzamatazz but, the cold facts are, that football and Union are streets ahead of RL.
Therefore, we have to go for slow, steady but, planned growth and not "moon shots".

We made it onto CNN with a picture of BJB running down the wing against Leeds at little old Belle Vue. We at least managed to push the game recognition in North America.

Wakefield attained its population figure of over 100,000 artificially, pam, by including Stanley, Lofthouse, Outwood and Kirkhamgate in the latest figure for the first time.

Just looking at the development at City Fields on Neil Fox Way. That will add about another 3,000 when completed.

There should of been a stadium on there

Very true, snowie. Absolutely perfect location. But look at all the domestic council tax our beloved WMDC would have lost.

They should be included they are in Wakefield, Outwood’s WF1.

I don't understand why that is artificial? Where would you draw the boundary?

i live in wakefield wf1 wrenthorpe, 15 year ago I moved from just around the corner which is wf2 still in wrenthope, checking boundaries the city is split down the middle so I'd say you can only go by the postcode which has wf in it

When you were a lad Redders all those places you mention including the bottom end of Eastmoor, right across from Warmfield round to Altofts, and at the top of Dewsbury Rd across parts Kirkamgate all belonged to Stanley Council which at the time were far bigger than Wakefield Council

Hard to imagine how JW could make himself more unlikeable but he's managed it.
An odious individual who loves himself and whose opinions are irrelevant.

Because the old population from the 2001 census of 76,855 was for the former Wakefield City boundary. Stanley, Outwood, Kirkhamgate , Wrenthorpe and Lofthouse Gate were all part of the old Stanley Urban District Council. and came under the West Riding Count Council, but after the 2011 census WMDC decided to add the Stanley figures to "boost" the population, possibly for status reasons. Therefore the current forecast by next year's census will be about 106.500. Hence the "artificial" tag.

How do you mean [when I was a lad wayne. I'm nobbut a bairn now!!!!

I see. Every day is a school day.

Or the Wakefield population was artificially lower before.

Hes right should be a governing body decision made up of the right people ridiculous how clubs decide other clubs fate!