Quote Poynton="Poynton"After 54 years of watching Trinity I don't think I have ever been so worried about the future of the club. I have seen us go in to administration twice and just avoided it this close season but at the moment there just seems to be an air of defeatism from the Chairman , the coach , the players and the supporters, including me.
When we thrashed Catalans earlier this year all hell broke loose in the french camp.The owner made it clear that the performance was unacceptable, the coach threw a wobbly and certain players were told in no uncertain terms to improve their fitness or face the sack and their performances since have been better despite some defeats.
But after yet another 50 point defeat of Trinity , I have lost count of how many they have been, we hear absolutely nothing from the owner who is the first to complain if supporters dont buy tickets but says nothing when the team and coaching staff fail to turn up metaphorically speaking.From the coach we get " We were shell shocked at half time " and the player who did try despite being played out of position was the only one to apologise to the fans.The website seems defunct apart from another tie up with a company I have never heard of and no news of the stadium short or long term . Are we still on reduced capacity? Snowie will probably let us know but when was he employed as publicity officer? Has Fox left or is he in contention for Sunday ? Who knows because no one actually employed by the club really seems to care about the supporters, oh yes we want you to buy season tickets but once you have bought one we dont want to know you till the next seasons tickets go on sale or the next lottery is launched or the next plea for cash to keep the club afloat . I think this is the reason I am most worried it is because I have never known a time when I have felt that no one at the club really cares.
I know someone will come on here and defend them and say the supporters are the club but wouldnt it be nice if someone employed by the club actually answered my criticisms either on the website or in the Express.
I am so worried I cant sleep !'"
I am plucking your quote Poynton amongst many over numerous threads, so its not personal. I may also might not be right but here's my opinion.
Considering the sporting worlds notoriety for clubs financial meltdowns and Wakefield Wildcats history of financial problems I can understand a certain degree of worry. I can understand frustrations with on field performances. I can understand frustrations with off field issues and queries that either have been resolved late or haven't been resolved at all for fans. As fans over the years it hasn't been extremely enjoyable. Good moments, but not many consistent periods of enjoyment.
Lets just recap and consider a few things about this season. The club was very close to another administration and every single fan worried about our existence. Michael, Chris, Kath and the other members have worked wonders to get us to a stage where we have a club and a badge to back. This is easily forgotten not by all, but by a lot of people. Expectations from fans range from modest to ludicrous. I'm good friends with most at the club but I won't like every single decision they make. I want to see progress and I want a successful club. I want a club to be proud of and this has waned over the years. But as players, coaches and owners come and go there's always the badge (The club). Can we as supporters continue to back the badge. Can we at least give the current owners and leadership team some backing so we have a badge to back? They are only human and need encouragement, support and patience when things aren't so good. I'm not saying you have to like everything or agree with every decision but try and empathise with the overall demands of running a rugby club. Any supporters true value are similar to friends. Are they around when times are tough? Can you count on them to help and support you when your'e down? Everyone wants to be around you when your on the up and achieving but if there not around when the going gets tough they aren't true friends nor supporters. They are just attendees.
Throughout the early diagnosis of the club, many issues were solved to enable us to remain in super league, become financially viable and at least attempt to avoid the drop (The main objective after financial security). Other issues keep popping up and there is the issue of the general running of a club on a day to day basis. Even when things are all going smoothly it can takes its toll. When things aren't going as planned it can be the devils job. It is disheartening for all connected to the club when things aren't going smoothly but that doesn't mean people don't care. In fact I think it's quite disrespectful people saying that.
I understand people would like to see better performances on the field. I do. I often constructively question the players performances as well as appreciate their efforts. Many have played well in a couple of games and then had off games. They haven't seemed to string 3/4 games together where every player has played well together. It's been sporadically when lets say for an example Anderson, Kirmond and Ryan have been hitting the straps, Scruts, Sammutt and Mcshane haven't and vice versa. I believe the players are good enough but they haven't been good enough considering their talents and abilities. Players dropped or out of position need to stay strong and work hard. Out of form players need to regain confidence and believe in their ability whilst working their socks off (you make your on luck), form players need to encourage and pull the other players into line whilst setting a marker for the others to follow. Most importantly they need to stick together and work as a team to achieve their goals. They will constantly get criticisms (some justified, some not), personal insults and unwarranted attention from people. Throughout this keep the bond, keep the camaraderie, keep the unity, keep the belief and keep grafting 100% and more often than not they will get their own and teams rewards!
Remember If we are financially stable and continue being so and we do avoid relegation, this is a major success and phase 1 completed. Phase 2 and onwards is open for negotiation with stadium/s, strengthening of community teams, back room staff and playing squads. All this takes time but if we are patient, we do support throughout the tough times and we do build up our reputation it can be done. I am thankful as a supporter at where we are today and to everyone who has contributed and been involved in getting us here. There is Work to be done and improvements to be made, but I have a club to support and I will support them!
On a final note I would like to see harmony, camaraderie and teamwork throughout all sections of the club over the coming years. History has shown us that at times supporters groups, stadium groups, youth funding streams/groups, volunteers, staff and other groups contribute massively. However this has been done intermittently at different times. Supporters/Staff Egos, disillusionment, people taken for granted, fall outs and other issues have meant that certain cogs have been run in isolation. This has been over a decade or more. Imagine if we can work together so that all these areas are going strong with everyone pulling in the right direction. This takes time, trust, honesty and a vision. It can be done and I hold hope that over time we can establish Wakefield Wildcats as not only a team to be proud off but a club to be proud of through its ethical, efficient and professional infrastructures.
backthebadge
