NO

The way you feel about that, others feel about Dewsbury.

I dont think there is any rivalry between Wakefield and Dewsbury plus, the major attraction with Dewsbury is that it would be outside the "Box" empire.
I've lived in Wakefield for 44 years and I supported them on the terraces for just shy of 30 years and believe me, I dont want Trinity to move out of Wakefield but, with the clock ticking both in terms of the state of BV and the dispensation given by The RFL for playing in an unsuitable stadium, what other realistic choices are there.
Of course, there are politics a plenty to consider as well and sharing with Cas (or Fev) would likely lead to calls for a merger so, again, what choices do we have.

Some people don't mind, but others, myself included feel quite strongly that the club should be based in Wakefield. I could live with a temporary move with a definite timescale on coming back, but anything else and we could lose the identity which attracted a lot of us to support the club in the first place.

Also, I'm still quite happy to watch games at Belle Vue. The facilities aren't really a problem for me.

Ultimately, RL is played by 26 blokes on a piece of grass (or plastic ) and most Trinity fans have got used to watching at BV but, whether you or I mind watching in the crumbling old ground is irrelevant.
IIRC, MC said at one of the fans forums that we had "special" dispensation from THe RFL to continue playing there and the clock is still ticking so, at some point, that option may also disappear ?

Hi Slugger,

For once I'm intent on being the voice of reason so I'll try my best



First of all I'm not going to argue with you or anyone who's being reasonable over this issue which of course you are. However I'd like to make a few points and suggestions that may help. I know Mr Carter reads this forum so nows the moment.

So my points....

1: Although I currently agree with PB and Belly that Dewsbury is the best option at the moment it needs pointing out that they and me are approaching it from very different angles - not saying I'm right and they are wrong. Unless I've misunderstood past conversations with both of them I think I'm right in saying that they are both not just pro Dewsbury but anti BV. Even if a BV upgrade was available they would still prefer a move away so there is a bias on their part - hope that's fair. I on the other hand am totally pro BV even over NM let alone Dewsbury but I just cant see either of those happening in any reasonable time frame, hence I'm left with only one option IMHO.

2: I'm assuming you are accepting of NM? Yet I think I'm right in saying NM isn't technically within the city limits it's only in the WMDC but I may be wrong on that. If I'm right it makes NM no more 'true' Wakefield than Cas or Fev, in which case we may as well share with Cas. It makes it still closer than Dewsbury but by a small degree especially after my next point.

3: What I am certain about is that NM is on the edge of a disputed boundary with Leeds. It's only about six years ago since Leeds tried but failed to get the boundaries re-drawn. What's to say that couldn't happen again but with a different result. Would you then stop attending games at NM if it was suddenly 200 yards inside Leeds MDC? This is the problem with metropolitan districts in that they are not real, WMDC is no more real than Kirklees.

4: As if to prove it the Dewsbury Stadium has both a Wakefield postcode and a Wakefield dialing code - how close can you get?

5: This is more a suggestion but one I think could put peoples minds at rest. What if the club were to take a long term lease out on a bigger shop in the town centre or very close. Property must be dirt cheap at present. Doesn't need to be prime but visible yes. Apart from the shop if it also had a ticket office and upstairs where the main registered office of the club where housed, all non ground essential staff could work there and the BOD could meet there as could sponsors and clients etc. Would that not be a very clear message that we are still very much a Wakefield club. By doing this the Council/RFL/Press would still have to recognise our legitimacy as a Wakefield club. It may be slightly more expensive than a stadium office set up but if it gives us the power to keep pressurising the council to honour their commitment it's money well spent.

6: No reason why the Council can't offer us a deal where we can't base our under 17's and development squads in Wakefield - Thornes Park Athletics Stadium seems a good one. This then gives local young players and their parents an affinity with the club.

Points 5 and 6 are the model by which a number of NFL clubs operate - their club base and supporter base are normally in their heartland but the Stadium may be in a close but different district. I think, South, Roosters, Bulldogs and a few other work a similar model but not absolutely sure on the detail

HTH

I understand the reasons, and I assume that there is constant pressure from the RFL, but at the same time if the club leaves without a plan, then long term they risk alienating a large percentage of what currently a small fan base. It's a tough one, and there's going to be unhappy people whichever way it goes.

Give over there is a world of difference that is a very poor analogy.

The facilities may be OK for you tillidie, but if they are not OK for Health and Safety regulators, the RL and Super league, what do you suggest ?I know some people who would not go to Newmarket, as they see Belle Vue as our spiritual home.
Wigan, Saints, Salford , Leigh , Hull, Warrington et all have all relocated.Some even sharing with football.
Come on! Dewsbury's stadium is hardly out of Wakefield .
As a poster has stated a damn site nearer for many., myself included.
My son is a loser if we move there as he lives in Normanton, but he says he is up for it.
Don't be so 'bloody minded' you doubters!

Wheres your proof - you may be right but saying it without proof is not debate it's just an opinion without credibility - sorry.

Personally I think you're very wrong but I can't prove it either.

At the end of the day Carter is doing this because he probably has to not to spite the fans.

There are fans out there who feel very strongly about the club moving to Dewsbury. They're obviously a lot less important than yourself, but trust me, they're out there. And the club could lose them instantly.

Having read Vasty's post I would like to add my first choice would be Belle Vue, second Newmarket, and with Dewsbury seemingly the only other option, that third.
But in reality , Dewsbury moves to no. 1 , as I cannot see the other two coming to fruition.

Dewsbury is just as easy for me to get to as Belle Vue. Newmarket I could walk to, but I still think it's the wrong location so I'm not saying it for personal gain. I just think the club has to stay in Wakefield to keep its identity. A temporary move would work if if it was just that, temporary, but long term the club would have a fight on its hands to retain much of the older support.

Well, I'm older .I'm on my way to 66.

No sorry but you can't use that 'vastman is a bully" tone on this one I'm not taking that as it's unreasonable.

The question is simple can you prove it? no you can't anymore than I can.

There is no room for personal dogma on this one it's got to be facts. If you don't want to move then fine that's your perogative - I don't blame you. But the clubs not about me or you or your mates it's about the culture of the city and it's future and future generations so why no keep it factual.

It's more the point that anyone who is against the move is shot down, that's the tone I don't like. Fans have genuine concerns and if we ignore anyone when we have a core base of just 2,000 fans it is going to damage the club.

I know of people who would follow the club anywhere. People who would give it a go and see what happens (I'm in that bracket if it was temporary). And people who would pack in all together. Without asking them to write it down and sign it, sadly I won't be able to give you that evidence. But surely common sense would tell you that would be the case? My opinion seems to be a minority on here, but I feel that Wakefield Trinity represent the City of Wakefield and moving to any other town would de-value that.

You're certainly right with regard to the Rabbitohs. Their 'home' is in Redfern in the southern part of the city, an old 'blue collar' area where the club offices and club shop are located, opposite their old ground, Redfern Oval. Redfern Oval is still used as a training base for the team. However their home games are played at the ANZ stadium (Olympic Stadium) which is 18kms away to the west of the city where they attract healthy crowds. Like other NRL sides they occasionally take games 'on the road' having played in Cairns and Perth in recent times. They also have to date 25000 members.

Whilst the Rabbitohs profile and that of the Rugby League in Australia is miles higher than ours, I agree with you that it could work in this fashion, but requires people to open their minds, and would need a lot of marketing.

The only place that tone seems to be coming from is you - it's you who's being defensive.

I have not seen anyone get shot down, far from it for such an emotive issue.

The level of debate has been very high IMHO. I don't know whether yours is a minority opinion on here it's just that you are vocalising it more than perhaps some other, maybe.

It's a tough one it really is and tbh I'd be with you but for three things.

People have died for 200 meters of earth but in terms of a RL ground I don't think it's worth getting hung up on I really don't.

Even more so when it's as close to most Wakefield fans as BV is and probably closer than NM which itself is just within WMDC by about 200 meters Ithink, It's so close it even has a Wakefield postcode and phone number, I mean we really are being a bit picky here.

Had it been in Dewsbury proper I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole but I'm willing to compromise on 200 meters

I understand fully what you are saying and obviously, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Any move from an established base will have pro's and con's and although inevitably, some fans will be lost if we move to Dewsbury (or any other new ground) however, I'm sure that the club will do what it can to try and minimise this and hopefully, some new fans may come on board. Plus, with better facilities, there may be an increase in the numbers of away fans, which may actually lead to a net increase.
Of course, the single biggest driver, affecting attendances, is on field success and IF Trinity start winning plenty of games, it almost doesn't matter where they play as people would want to follow a successful team.
Midn you, the opposite is also true and a move away plus poor results would be the worst scenario possible.

And I'm only being so vocal today because it's my day off and it stops me having to tidy the house!

In common sense terms I agree with you, it's 200 metres, but in sport common sense goes out of the window and emotion rules the head.

I've seen your ideas on the other thread, I'd actually thought of something similar last year regarding temporary seating but in a lot less detail. But as much as we build the Teltley's Stadium up, it's well short of being a Super League standard ground. Were we to move there we would, quite rightly, have to pay towards the investment to bring it up to scratch. Would it not be better to use that investment on Belle Vue? Even just bring the concrete terracing up to scratch for starters?

No

You make a good point there about how the Rabitohs have a strong presence in Redfern and Trinity must do the same in Wakefield City far more than they do at present, should a move to Dewsbury comes about. More than just a shop is required in fact it would be great if a pub could be taken over and decked out in red white and blue selling trinity beer of course. The players who move into the district should definatley be based in the city, not Dewsbury / Shaw Cross even if that means an inconvenience for training etc. The club could even be more synonymous with Wakefield than it is at present and a trip to Owl Lane once a fortnight would be seen as little more than a slight detour for the supporters.
Another suggestion, outrageous I know, is to have the powers that be move the border between Ossett and Dewsbury. How about as far as the centre spot on the pitch. Solved, half Wakefield, half Dewsbury. Ok, I'll get me coat.

Just had a thought, I have read what MC has said in the article, but we are still asking people to apply to have naming rites to Belle Vue. It doesn't add up if we are moving to Dewsbury. Like I said just a thought.

We would not be moving until 2018 season and the move would only have to be temporary. If permanent we would have to become a Championship Club.

Are so we are staying at Belle Vue for 2017 ? If so thanks for clarifying it.