Interesting post from OP, raises some excellent points



I'm not sure everyone would agree with this though. I think there is a lot wrong with the location and is hardly ideal for away fans especially.

Parking aside why is it hardly ideal for away fans, I think BV is a breeze from both motorways, it's not like driving through a major city, plus they could always get off at the Normanton turn off. Sat navy's are pretty easy to use these days too.

Parking is the main issue and the fact that the surrounding areas are dodgy may also put some off. If we ever get to grow our home crowds this would become more apparent.

Some fans see a trip to the game as more than just turning up at 3pm and going home afterwards, they want a day out, but the options in and around are terrible in that respect (IMO of course, unless you enjoy the Con Club). Going to our home ground is hardly going to be at the top of people's lists because of its facilities and location - in turn its harder for us to attract casual fans and away fans.

Therefore I don't think the current location is "perfect" at all, as stated by the previous poster. Unless you live in the area of course.

Prior to Rugby Union turning professional Wakefield was and had been for a few years the top side in Yorkshire, having earned invites from the likes of Gosforth,Bath, and Leicester who between them won the John Player cup on a regular basis, when the game turned pro junior clubs like Rotherham were able to lure the better Wakefield players away with wages the college grove outfit could not match.

Wakefield at the start of the pro era were not perceived as a junior club yet no local wealthy backer came forward to help secure their future financially and as a consequence had to fold, I know there is a fair time span but personally I don't think much has changed and don't see anything altering anytime soon unfortunately.

Wow!! what a U turn, remind me not to ever rob a bank with you.

The only way we are going to get fans to that number and have that kind of experience up north is if RFL take the game to freeview channels that are free for people to watch and more games are aired. Is it as simple as that? not quite as apparently people in the sport dont want pay cuts - who would? so we keep grabbing SKYs money but with no real growth of the sport from my experience as a fan.

The sport won't survive without Sky. It has changed the game and I think we should appreciate that.
The free to air is good advertising but isn't the reason people don't come to teh games.
Stadium and media perception is more important in my opinion.

I like Belle Vue just needs money spending on it. Newmarket just smells of you know what to me. Belle Vue is our best chance now.

The sport may not survive without Sky but continually looking inwards is no way to get the game to spread.
The deal with Sky in the beginning was ground breaking and the partnership between the RFL under Moggy Lindsay was a good one with Sky.
But like any partnership, if you allow one side to become dominant, they will take advantage.
This maybe a bit strong but Sky has been supplying 'the good stuff', until the RFL is addicted and now is scared to go 'cold turkey' and explore other avenues.
It would have been nice to sit down and watch some week in week out Champoinship games this coming season but the coverage is limited.

A bit of silverware helps as well.

Agreed.
Although the Sky deal was very good, there seemed to be one hell of a rush to extend (without apparently exploring other avenues).
Other options certainly weren't made public and we are with Sky till 2021.
Sky may be good for RL but, RL is very good for Sky.

I've always liked the old lady. Not as glamorous as she used to be but could be made good again with some funding. Personally I don't think parking is a big issue as the walk from Heath common has become part of the occasion over the years. Last seasons trip was almost perfect with the good weather making the stroll from the common very pleasant and the ground certainly looked a lot brighter. If you get too many other attractions in the surrounding area fans won't spend as much in the ground.

Sorry but its Newmarket for me new stadium. new era .time for change !!!

I've been to all grounds and I can't think of any ground that's got good parking,I'm sure someone will come back with one,even Sharlston if a bit late

Different people have different views but I think until we have a sustained period of stability and a bit of success, it's going to be BV for the foreseeable future.
As for parking, it's not held Leeds back.

Just about sums up 3 pages of posts

Leeds has to be the worst ground for vehicular access/exit but it is one of the best match day experiences, fans can walk around before during and after the game, visit one of the many bars/fast food outlets in a relatively safe environment for all ages.
Widnes suffers from similar parking and access but again the ground is pretty good for the match day experience, don't think having close by parking helps any of these new stadia and if you've been to Salford/Warrington or Saints you'll no doubt agree (although once your out of the telcos car park at saints it's pretty easy going) Hull FC has massive parking facilities but it's a mare to get out of as is Huddersfield.
A decent ground with a good safe atmosphere is the best solution, not sure Newmarket would give us that and at the moment neither does belle view if we're honest about it (crowd trouble)

Yes I remember it well, the Wakefield RU coach got picked up by Rotherham in 98 and he basically cherry picked the best players to go with him at the time. Rotherham then got promoted to the top tier the following year and not long after that Wakefield RU shut shop.

That's the key, a sustained period of stability and moving up the table will see things change. A season here and there of relative success, scraping into the top 8 now and again doesn't really change the landscape unfortunately.

Well of course it is; but the stadium is clearly a disincentive to anyone wanting to come to watch Wakefield, especially new visitors. Those of us used to it may have a romantic attachment to BV but at the end of the day it is pretty embarrassing and not a good place to watch RL. Most views are poor and the facilities are past 3rd rate. Sorry to say this, I know a lot of people have put a lot of effort into keeping our heads afloat and I am truly grateful but I have to say it how I see it. We will never get 16000 in RL at any ground but I reckon a half decent team in a decent ground would get at least 8000 for Trinity. How we can change this continues to be beyond us, sadly. Since it seems unlikely Newmarket will ever materialise, Belle Vue seems the only option. I'd be interested to see some BV plans and have them costed up to see what the size of the fund raising task would be

If it's decided to stay at Belle Vue I would imagine they've worked out the funding and release plans accordingly. Is there still a stadium meeting this month?

A meeting at end of month according to MC in League Express.
Interestingly he states Belle Vue his preferred option and that approach had been made to Bank of Ireland re. purchase of ground.
Also council willing to make land available for parking.

Wow, very generous of them...

..as long as we don't complain when they approve Cas' planning permission and then agree to make that a community stadium???

Cynical I know, but that's how this whole process makes me feel.

So long as Wakefield council don't give any financial aid to Cas, and approve their planning permission on it's merit then where's the problem, if they have the finances in place to build a new ground without council help then surely that's an obstacle out of our way with regards to getting extra help from the council.

I agree with all of that, I guess I'm just cynical that that is the way it will actually happen.