Let's hope the council see that we get atleast what was proposed on the artist's impression. We've already been given the 'budget' option moving things to Belle Vue, minus the training pitches, smaller capacity etc.

I'm still interested to know why we've aborted legal proceedings. I would have hoped we'd keep that in the back pocket, just incase they decide to carry on extracting the urine!

If we get more than nowt or something less bad than what we have now i'll jig a merry jig.

So will I, however the fact that YorkCourt have been allowed to fleece the public of all that land riles me somewhat. The main thing is we get new facilities and retain our Super League status, so aslong as that is achieved then happy days.

I'd take a redeveloped BV every time over Newmarket, we've seen what happened to Salford when they went out of town. but we won't have a Koucash to save us

Neither have they now, so we'll see how they go if his cash isn't there to prop them up.

I'd broadly agree with that however it depends hugely on what is defined as a 'redevelopment'.

I'd have to disagree. I know we all have an emotional connection to Belle Vue, but the site is very limited as we know, especially with the other plans Manni has for the site....not to mention that the area is a dump. Next to the M62 provides great accessibility for everyone and potential for expansion - each to their own though. As long as we get something, I will be happy.

I guess it is all a matter of opinion. I prefer the idea of staying at Belle Vue. It is fairly central and easier to access for fans who live in the city. I say this in spite of the fact that I drive on the M62 every time I come to a match and come off at the Newmarket turn off to drive through Stanley towards Belle Vue.

And that's exactly the position that WMDC and YC wanted us to be in; drive us to the edge of a cliff so that any rescue package, no matter how crap, feels like a win.

With the clock ticking again, especially with a possible change in structure and potential changes to the criteria needed for the top flight, this exactly what WMDC and Yorkcourt have done (again).
Our local authority have been utterly inept at enforcing the 106 agreement and quite frankly, one doesn't have any faith that any new deal will ever happen.

Could you explain how NM provides great accessibility for everyone please.

What has the "area being a dump" got to do with it? we're not playing on Agbrigg road the team will be playing on arguably the best surface in SL, and what are these other plans this manni's got in mind if as you say it's a very limited site.

NM is more accessible for travelling fans for sure - as well as being much better in terms of disabled access, ease of use for people with kids etc; and if the proposed park and ride service from the City Centre had gone ahead, that would have helped a lot of people who don't drive to games.

As for the BV site - if anyone believes for a minute that 88M will develop it as a standalone project without any additional revenue streams for themselves, they are in cloud cuckoo land; he's a property developer, not a charity, so at the very least he's going to want retail and leisure opportunities that he can manage completely independently of whatever rent he sets for the stadium itself. That will limit the floorspace he's willing to sacrifice for stadium facilities - or he'll want a piece of whatever goes on inside the stadium that generates income.

Be under no illusion - it's the worst of all outcomes, and will be very limiting for the club; but since WMDC and YC have created desperation, it's now being seen as cause for celebration by some fans - which sets MC up nicely to be portrayed as ungrateful and intransigent if he's not happy with whatever is offered. We've been stitched right up.

A stadium right next to the M62, in which a sport is played which is largely concentrated along the M62. It should certainly appeal to the away fans.

That's how I see it. When all else has failed, any old solution to the problem will feel like a result.

The simple fact that it's right next to one of the main corridors that connects some of the 'big' cities in the north - the M62! Also there being enough space to set aside for people to actually park without having to plonk it on some random street, getting in and out would be alot easier too I imagine.
Last time I heard, Manni was planning on putting apartment blocks and shops on the site around the proposed new ground. Doesn't leave much space for the ground, let alone access, parking, training pitches, ground expansion etc. Fair enough, the comment about Agbrigg being a dump is mainly cosmetic. However, lets be honest, if you had to choose a place to play every week you'd rather it be Rome than Syria wouldn't you?

We can can cling onto the 'best playing surface in SL' thing all we like, however it doesn't mean a whole lot in the grand scheme of things.

I have to dispute you last assertion - one thing NM doesn't offer is good access, far from it and that has been recognised as an issue.

Out of town stadiums by and large have been failures with the only people to really benefit being away fans. Large numbers of home fans are often lost.

As far as I'm aware NM has no rail links and sporadic bus services. It is in many ways an ideal site but it is not perfect and this particular issue is its Achilles heal so to speak and has even been a bone of contention amongst Swag members.

Overall NM is the best option but done right BV is workable - sadly the chances of it being done right are very slim

Funny you should say that because on a map the AJ Bell should be the most accessible of grounds in terms of ease of use for the travelling fans.. Probably a similar distance of a M62 junction to what Newmarket would/will be. I avoid driving to Salford at all costs, and if i do i dont use any of the parking facilities near by as access in and especially out is an absolute nightmare as many of us have had to experience - I actually end up parking around a 25/30 minute walk away, in the back of some dodgy estate were im risking leaving my car.

Wakefield Kirgate is 0.9 miles from the ground
Sandal and Agbrigg 0.7 miles from the ground
Wakefield Westgate is 1.6 miles from the ground
Regular buses running down right past the ground.

Now i accept that the opportunity for expansion isnt as great as it would be at Newmarket, and parking isn't seen as great, but i usually turn up 10 minutes before kick off and get a space roadside round the back of the graveyards... Does anyone else have a problem? I cant remember one time where i have had any issues with getting a space, even when playing Cas/Leeds. With development should we require additional parking there are acres of space about a 3 minute walk down the road just of the relief road that will be shortly become available for lease.

I'm coming from the stand point of someone who drives to Belle Vue from outside Wakefield. Most people who work in Leeds, Huddersfield, Hull etc. would most likely prefer to be closer to the M62 if they drive to work on a daily basis - for the same reason why I think the ground would be more accessible there. However, I understand why this may not be desirable for people who get a train to Kirkgate and/or walk to the ground, or get a bus.

Whether it'd be a flop were we to end up at Newmarket, we'd have to see - although we probably won't, as the council obviously wants the developer to have all of this land to themselves. However weighing everything up, Newmarket is the best option IMHO - doesn't seem like we have much of a choice though.

Sorry but I can't understand where all the talk of a new build or a redeveloped Belle Vue seemed to have gathered pace. As far as I can tell no firm proposal has been offered or accepted in over 5 years apart from the 106 agreement and we all know how well that went and the H O T that the trust put forward . All I can see is stalling and further stalling . They can offer what they want but will never allow the H O T that we want to happen .
Sorry for the pessimism but Box and Co. won't let it happen. Where we go from he I don't know.

It's based on a meeting the club had with the council just before xmas when MC stated that a number of issues had been sorted - it's part of this thread if you want to trawl through it all.

However I get your point and the Trust have been very quiet - so no real mevement yet.

This isn't a pop at the trust or the club here, but, we all call Wakefield council inept, for an inept council, they and their partners in crime (I use that title loosely) Yorkcourt have done a very good job of backing us up to the cliff edge, is there any way back? I can't honestly see it.

Statements are all we've heard that's all Box & Co need to do keep us hoping . They're not interested in the stadium they're not under any urgency as we are . One thought how it could be done if we get kicked out of SL and placed in the Championship, MC, CB, walk away, then a little more than a lick of paint will do . The question who could possibly run the club , who has experience . Let's give it little thought oh Rodders or Ted Richardson maybe they were both great when they were here before. Just my thoughts. Sorry hope it all comes off but after so long , do you really still believe?

It certainly should appeal to the travelling opposition fans, but there is no guarantee it will encourage any increase in their numbers which would compensate for the loss of Wakey fans.

I take with a pinch of salt about whatever I read on here about what this manni's plans are, you mention shops and apartment blocks common sense tells there's not enough room for all the conjecture surrounding what's happening, there's one thing I'm dying to know, why are the council with all their land at their disposal building a new stadium on somebody else's land.

There's no guarantee it will mean a loss of Wakey fans either. Infact it could open the doors to closet Wakey fans who don't necessarily live in Wakefield but the Wakey post code, and are put off by the state of Belle Vue. I know a few of these.


And just to refer to your last post: it wasn't imagined up on here about Manni's plans to include apartments and shops on the Belle Vue site.