As Wakefield prepares for a momentous occasion this Saturday, the city is buzzing with excitement. Nearly 965 days ago, the saga began on a modest field in Siddal, near Halifax, where only a few hundred spectators gathered. Now, one of rugby league’s historic clubs, Wakefield Trinity, is set to take center stage against Warrington in their inaugural Super League Grand Final, expected to draw over 70,000 fans.
The transformation of Trinity is almost unbelievable, but to grasp its significance, one must reflect on the club’s struggles just a few years ago. In late 2023, Matt Ellis, a lifelong Wakefield supporter, took over the club, investing £10 million, and the positive changes have become apparent both on and off the pitch.
At that time, however, Wakefield was in turmoil. After being relegated from the Super League in 2023, their iconic Belle Vue stadium had become a source of ridicule, viewed as a dilapidated venue, where merely surviving was considered a success. When their revamped team took the field at Siddal for the Challenge Cup in February 2024, few could have anticipated the rapid success that would soon follow.
Trinity quickly claimed the Championship title, securing a swift return to the Super League. Last year, they made an unexpected playoff appearance, and now they have reached the Grand Final for the first time in their history. Fifty-eight years after their last league championship, Wakefield is poised to reclaim its status as a key player in the sport.
The excitement in the town is palpable. Three years prior, Trinity’s average attendance was under 5,000; this year, it has surged past 9,000. Ellis is already considering further redevelopment of Belle Vue to accommodate the expected 20,000 supporters at Old Trafford in 2027.
Signs of enthusiasm are evident throughout this rugby league-loving city, which has awakened from its slumber. It’s hard to drive through Wakefield without spotting fans of all ages. Merchandise for the Grand Final sold out even before it reached the club shop. While previously, conversations centered around the Leeds Rhinos and Castleford Tigers, now Trinity is the focal point of local discussions.
For those who have witnessed the club’s journey during tougher times, there is a profound appreciation for how far they have come. Jay Pitts, who debuted in 2008 and will retire after the Grand Final, reflects on the lengthy pursuit of a new stadium. “When I debuted, they were already discussing building a new stadium; that’s how long it has taken,” he shares.
Pitts returned to Wakefield in 2020 after a decade and rejoined during a challenging period for the club. “It wasn’t a welcoming environment,” he recalls. “The stadium was in disrepair, and it was tough to attract fans. We simply lacked the funds to improve anything. The club had its share of struggles, that’s for sure.”
In 2023, the long-awaited planning approval for stadium redevelopment came just as Wakefield faced relegation to the Championship, following years of battling to stay afloat. This pivotal moment coincided with Ellis’s initial investment and subsequent full takeover, which brought substantial funding for both the stadium and the team.
Before the changes, visiting players often found themselves sitting on plastic chairs on makeshift benches, and training facilities were barely adequate. “It was quite chaotic,” recalls Tom Johnstone, a winger who debuted in 2015 and returned to the Super League last year. “In 2022, our preseason camp took place on an army base in Sheffield, but poor weather turned it into a bit of a disaster. No one seemed to care about Wakefield Trinity. Now, as I walk my son to school, I hear people from their cars wishing us good luck. The entire city is electrified. It’s incredible.”
The club’s journey to Old Trafford is also a testament to the dedication and investment of former owner Michael Carter, who sold the club to Ellis in 2023 after nearly a decade of striving to maintain operations at Belle Vue amidst severe challenges. He will be in the stands this Saturday, filled with pride.
Wakefield’s identity is deeply intertwined with its rugby league team, filled with untold stories and overlooked heroes. Many have worked diligently to keep the club alive during its numerous financial crises over the last 25 years. None of this resurgence would be possible without the support of the local community. Now, a new generation of heroes, including Johnstone, Pitts, Caius Faatili, and Caleb Hamlin-Uele—who have been brought in from the Australian lower leagues and are already beloved by fans—have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of legends like Neil Fox, Harold Poynton, and Ian Brooke from the 1960s.
Since 1968, Wakefield Trinity has patiently awaited its moment in the spotlight while others basked in glory. This weekend, a remarkable sports narrative could culminate in a fairy-tale ending, with the potential to bring tears of joy to every corner of the city.
