There are some real legends going to be present at Sunday's game. I will have the honour of speaking to a few of them and would like to ask Wakefield fans to recall their fondest memories of them. I will be interviewing them in the corporate dining suite before the game and any nice/funny stories would be appreciated. Some of the guests include Ian Brooke, Harold Poynton, Geoff Oakes, Don Robinson, Kenny Rollin and Wigan's Billy Boston.

It would be nice to ask some of them questions that have come from you - the fans! I will also post their responses on here after the game.

Thankyou in advance.
Pete

Not a question but an apology to Billy Boston.
My first Wakefield Trinity game was Neil Fox's 2nd testimonial game in 1979. One of my friends was pointing out various players and he said 'There's Billy Boston' and I said 'Who?'


I now know a little bit more about the game

good luck with the questions,
I've one for Billy Boston what went wrong for Wigan in that Challenge cup final back in 63, you was favorites to win on the day and if you could go back, what would you changed to get the result,
also from watching footage of the game was you suffering an injury?

I did a paper round for Harold Poynton in 1977 for his shop on Kettlethorpe. 75p per week. I moved later that year and got a paper round somewhere else, and it was £1.75 a week.

Does Harold think that he was an early leader in the drive to force down wages and workers' conditions, pre-empting Thatcher by two years, thus setting a trend and momentum to attack the working man and crush the trade union movement, ending up in the parlous economic conditions we face today? So my question to Harold is whether he feels any guilt for the mess we are in as a nation?

ps: I had a Wakey calendar on my wall that year, and one of the pictures was of Harold. I used to go a bit gooey when I collected the papers, although I don't think I even got a first glance, let alone a second one.

Question:

Why can that lot of well known and respected former players not gang up on Rocky Turner and force him to come to one of these events? Now that would be something special!



PS - How many of them were on the 'recieving end' of Rocky's infamous temper!

Do not remember ever seeing any of them play but from footage both of us have seen when researching the recent Squadbuilder dinner I am jealous not to have seen the glory years and what special times they must have been. All I can say is having been closely associated with them over the past few years what true gentlemen they all are and I feel priviledged to know them. Will Neil be there also Pete ? Will pop in and see you x

Billy went into the game with a shoulder injury but similarly his opposite winger (Coetzer) also had the same problem, losing Dave Bolton with concussion for quarter of the match didn't help, but we (Wigan) dominated the opening 20 minutes or so and couldn't put points on the board whereas Wakefield took their chances well, no excuses, the better team won on the day, hope all the guests enjoy Sunday, its good to see great players from the past honoured by their clubs.

Ask Billy B about the Swinton "supporter" who was racially abusing him in a game at Station Road. Billy jumped over the wall at half time to have a "quiet word" . That spectator could have represented England as a sprinter the way he ran off.

Another one to ask him about was a game v Barrow at Central Park and Bill Burgess was roughing up a young Wigan winger.
Boston swapped wings to "look after" Burgess.

As Boston walked across to Burgess's wing, Burgess immediately ran to the other wing out of his way.

I would like to thank Ken Rollin for the superb work he does with the Stroke Association and the Speakability Group - been a massive support to our family.

Some really good stories there - thanks very much for this. Sue, i'm not sure if Neil Fox is going to be there - he's not on my list! I must agree with you though, what a great bunch of players they are and it was a great honour to meet them all at the squadbuilder dinner. Thanks again to everybody for their stories.

I think it was my dad who mentioned it to me but I was once told when Trinity played in the 60's the City was absoloutely deserted. I can't remember if he refered to the area in general or the City centre.

It was a pleasure to meet the old players yesterday and what a set of characters they were. Unfortunately Billy Boston couldn't make it but we had some great interviews with Geoff Oakes, Harold Poynton and Ian Brooke.

I did read out the comment regarding Kenny Rollins' work with the stroke association and he looked really pleased (and rightly so!) when he got a lovely round of applause.

Poynton was really funny and told a cracking story of when he ended up in bed with Oakes and they used an overcoat for the blanket! He also spoke about a game when he broke his thumb and it was hanging down but he still played all the game! A tough bloke and a character - he was laughing over the 75p paper round story but said he wasn't responsible for the forthcoming Thatcher years and reduced wages!

Ian Brooke was a real gent and spoke passionately about his time playing for Wakefield - he still loves the club and that was clear to see.

One thing I noticed form all the players was their love for Trinity and they were also full of praise for the club and how they still look after them.

Thanks again to everyone who posted their stories and also thanks to everyoe in the dining area who purchased JD's testimonial brochures, pens and wristbands!