Teetering on the edge (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats)

Member Name: yorkie

Product:	Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Date:	15/12/00 (49 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Loyal fan-base, underdog spirit

Disadvantages: Ground, Board, Players, Reputation

Wakefield Trinity (the 'Wildcats' was added two years ago after a local poll which also threw up Wilderbeest and, not surprisingly, W*****s) are one of the oldest clubs in the Rugby League. Having slumped from their glory days of the 60s through some desperate times in the 80s, the club was looking strong again when it gained promotion to the Super League in 1998. A very creditable first season, in which champions St.Helens were beaten at Barnsley's Oakwell ground gave the fans much hope for the last campaign.
Sadly, money raised its head again. A frequent harbinger of gloom in the past, Trinity again succumbed to its evil ways as a host of big name players (Bobbie Goulding, Steve McNamara, Jonah Lomu was mooted for a while) were signed on the back of promises of cash from the chief executive (and former Leader of Wakefield Council) John Pearman.
Funnily enough, he scarpered without any sign of the promised investment and the club had to scrap contracts with all players over 24. Boardroom naivety has long been a feature at Belle Vue. The future now looks bleak as no-one worth their salt will sign for Wakefield and the club are doomed to rely again on promising youngsters and journeymen has-beens. False dawns are very frequent in Wakefield.

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