Wakefield have gone down but life is looking up at the renovated Belle Vue

After years in their rickety old stadium, Wakefield fans are in for a treat when they host Bradford Bulls on Friday nightBy Gavin Willacy for No Helmets RequiredMost owners in charge of a famous club when they suffer their first relegation for a quarter of a century would not be welcomed back by fans. But John Minards, the chairman and joint-owner of Wakefield Trinity until they were relegated from Super League last year, will be among the most respected guests when the club kick-off the new Championship season on Friday night.Belle Vue is sold out for the visit of Bradford Bulls, another fallen icon of the game, with all eyes on the newly renovated stadium. The Neil Fox Stand has replaced the crumbling east stand and the ground finally has the dressing rooms, offices, food outlets, bars, press facilities and board room (but not the radiotherapy and massage room) that were planned 100 years ago. And that is why Minards remains in the supporters’ good books. Minards and his fellow former co-owner Michael Carter have transferred their majority shareholdings to the lifelong supporter Matt Ellis, a local kitchen magnate who is fronting the show at what is now the DIY Kitchens Stadium. Continue readingread full article

Source: TheGuardian

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