Yeah MC says Manni is really pushing this along and wants the whole thing signed sealed and delivered by the end of the month, but MC hasn't seen all the details of it yet, which he says are getting sent to him in the next couple of weeks. He then says he will look at whats' on the table and make a decision. As long as it's a deal that makes it sustainable for Trinity for the next 100 years, plus also a good deal for the community as a whole, it's should be all systems ahead, As he says he has to wear two hats when he looks at this, one the owner of Trinity and the other as a ratepayer in Wakefield.

You can watch that interview plus one with CC on James Deighton's twitter.

MC just on Calendar, sounds hopeful.

Up the Trin

Of course we do everybody wants a new stadium the main sticking point is where, many people myself included would like to stay at Bellevue given the choice but if it's NM then it's where it is and we move on, maybe we will lose a few fans for various reasons but I don't see principles as being one of the reasons.

I don't think we'll lose fans per se, but individual games might cause problems for people, there's generally 4/6 that watch Trinity, sometimes I come on my own, BV in a taxi solo is £6, on my own in a taxi to NM would probably be £10/£12. I could drive but do enjoy the game as a social event, making an afternoon or evening out rather than drive up then go home.

How fickle a bunch would we be to walk away, should we not only secure our immediate safety but also allow for growth and improvement in the long run

If it was to ever happen we could also gain some new fans for various reasons, one being that we wouldn't be playing in an off-putting dump anymore and the facilities overall would be far far better. Swings and roundabouts.

I don't think so, we'd hopefully get more support in the long run because improved facilities would mean a lot more income from corporate etc, which would in turn mean fbetter finances which would hopefully mean trophies.
I've three mates who watched Trinity around fifteen years since who cite the wreck of a ground being the reason they don't come anymore, bull sheet, it's just an excuse.
Most away fans use the same sheet ground gag, it's usually cos they can't be d, I'd watch Trinity in any tip of a ground and have done.
Then again a new improved BV or NM would be more than welcome.

Yeah, I agree we hopefully would get more support in the long run & the short run for various reasons but I definitely think we'd get more away fans down to better facilities overall, making their match day experience all the better.

As for former fans who used to go who now don't, you may be right but I have similar friends who I used to go with and others I know who used to go who now don't and you can only take what they say on face value. All I hear is Belle Vue is a depressing place and their families won't come anymore.Obviously, hardcore fans will come no matter what but it's these who still follow Trinity in one form or another but don't come, a new stadium could make all the difference The test will be if/when we get a new stadium sorted will we see some old faces, plus plenty of new ones.

Tell them to turn round, face the pitch, and watch the Rugby. How could anyone be depressed at Belle Vue last season?

That's part of the problem they weren't there last season to watch.......or for that matter the season before.

I agree, however I think that's only going to wash so far. Trying to entice new fans to buy season tickets based on one decent season is another thing. Belle Vue is always going to put people off the state it's in at the moment, like it or not....unless we do something amazing and win some silverware.

To be honest, have the facilities ever really been good at Belle Vue? Ok we had the south stand for a while and whilst the atmosphere in there was pretty electric at times it was still a freezing cold place. The old woodworm riddled west stand wasn't much cop either, but you never seemed to hear people moan. Wollo Wollo got it right when he suggested that people turn round and watch the game. I know it's a bit of a cliche but Belle Vue must be one of, if not, the best playing surfaces in the game. Ok, so spectators may get a bit wet but so what. If the final product looks anything like the architect's impression I'll be more than happy. Have spectators become softer in recent years?

Whilst I agree with you that the game is the most important thing, there should be a reasonable stadium to watch the game take place.
Without wishing to be disrespectful to either, we're not talking about Stanley Rangers v Eastmoor. Trinity are a top flight professional RL club and we should strive to have the best facilities in the competition and not be trying to "get away" with a crumbling victorian ground.
The terracing is an utter disgrace, with lumps and holes in it and IF we had a new ground and were visiting any other club with a ground like BV, we'd be moaning like hell, with comments of "I'm not going there, it's a right dump".
Surely we should want the best and not be "happy" with the worst ground in SL.
Having said that, I'd take terracing over seating all day long, at least you're not up and down every 2 minutes because someone either wants a beer or, cant hold the one they've just had.

Yeah! I agree with you wrencat. I was just trying to illustrate that we've never had the best of grounds, but have been quite happy to put up with what we've had. Hence I'm not personally bothered about a Headingly type super stadium, but would settle for something like the images that were released (with standing provision). Perhaps I'm easily satisfied.

Tbf it's combo of poor results (not last season) and rubbish facilities

Nah not in my lifetime have the facilities been any good but they've gradually deteriorated around us. What makes Belle Vue look all the worse is that all other clubs, apart from Cas & us have all sorted their grounds out one way or the other and that just makes ours seem all the worse than what it did say 20 years ago when all RL stadia was severely aging. I don't think spectators have become soft but a poor ground and 3 decent seasons in 18 and a lot of awful ones in betweeen and people find other things to do.

People today when they spend their money expect a nice place to stand that isn't crumbling underfoot, or a decent seat with a good view, as well as all the other modern facilities that come with a Stadium built in the last 15 years or less. What's even more important is I don't think the RFL will be accepting of our stadium in the next couple of years, that's why it's so important that this latest plan comes off.

Tbh Wollo didn't get it right saying just turn around and watch the game when those people aren't even there to do so. I think the people that turn up nowadays to watch Trinity accept the state of the ground for the sake of watching RL.

I've said the same as you before, that if the ground looks anything like the artists' impression and we also get the right terms to prosper as a club, I'd be over the moon. Saying that if that happens it will still leave a sour taste in my mouth when the team will probably still have to go up to Featherstone to train. Plus Yorkcourt gets away without building anything that the Community can truly use themselves.

I really don't see anything being built myself, but, people mention not having community facilities because BV is too small. Ok then perfect world scenario , BV gets a complete facelift, community facilities could quite easily be built at Newmarket, the ground and community facilities don't need to be built together do they?

That is corect they don't. This is I assume the get out clause for the Trust in that they can sanction the BV upgrade and stiil persue the community element at NM or wherever.

Personally doesn't bother me if they are not together.

Hopefully this is what will happen we get stadium ASAP and training facilities on a different site.

Up the Trin

You can maybe get away with an old dump when every other team plays in an old dump, but they aren't any more. They play in good facilities with a good view and don't get wet.

My view changed when I took my kids to a game for the first time and I was able to sit next to them, tell them about the game, share some sweets, etc. I can't do that at Belle Vue unless I pay for the seats. Hence, I go on my own.

If a stadium is built then no one will really pursue the Community sports facilities past a bit of lip service to appease anyone initially asking awkward questions about them.

A line will get drawn under the issue and those involved, Box, Hussain & Carter, will all move on and be alright Jack!

They might but the Trust won't - I think you're being a touch unfair.

Hussain and Carter arn't really obliged in all fairness to remain involved as both inherited this situation. They are only obliged to do what's best for their company/club although clearly MC sees the wrongness of it all.

The Trust and Box in the form of WMDC do have an obligation and you are correct there - this I suspect is why the Trust remains tight lipped. Knowing them as I do I seriously doubt they will walk away. One of them, IA isn't even a Trinity fan or even from Wakefield, he just wants a fair deal for the citizens so I imagine for him this is far from over.

Sometimes you have to win a battle at a time. Save Trinity first then either break Box or keep the pressure on until he retires and perhaps a more visionary leader takes over but above all remain a thorn in their side. If anything the removal of Trinity from the equation makes the community facility argument even more valid and easier to gain support for - just my opinion.

I wouldn’t criticise IA or PT so I’m not really including them in this, they’re volunteers and aren’t obliged to do anything more than the rest of us.

I do include Carter, Box, Mackie and yes to a ledger extent Hussain who all have a vested interest in this one way or another. Carter is Chairman of the club and the club is obligated to see the whole of this delivered not just the stadium.

I don't think they are. The Trust could well have had no representation from the club at one point. The club on the other hand could move elsewhere (as repeatedly stated) and releave the other parties of it's inclusion in the process (as threatened by Box and crew recently)