Championship side welcome returning club legend in new role

Wakefield Trinity seem to be a club doing all the right things off the field at the moment with their recent takeover and the actions since then. Those actions have primarily been based around building the right staff and support systems to see them return to Super League, and they’ve just brought a club legend back into the fold to help them achieve that.

Trinity legend Danny Kirmond is to return to Belle Vue but having hung up his playing boots at the end of last season with York Knights, he’ll instead take on a coaching role under Daryl Powell and alongside fellow assistant Michael Shenton.

That helps form a completely new coaching staff from the side that got relegated with Mark Applegarth having been removed, whilst Sean Long has taken up an opportunity at Oldham in League One.

It marks just one element of huge overhaul that has happened under new owner Matt Ellis with the local businessman having breathed life into Trinity, a major air of positivity among the fans now with the squad for 2024 being assembled nicely.

They’ll boast two new-look wingers in Super League legend Jermaine McGillvary, whilst Championship star Lachlan Walmsley will operate on the other side having been crowned top try scorer in the division in each of the last two seasons.

As for Kirmond’s appointment he’s been brought in as an assistant alongside Powell’s former Castleford Tigers captain Michael Shenton, Powell smartly bringing in someone with close ties and a bond to the club given Kirmond’s long history with Trinity.

Kirmond, aged 37, kicked off his career with Featherstone Rovers before making the jump to Super League with Huddersfield Giants but the majority of his career was spent at Belle Vue where he amassed over 150 games for the club, even playing for England once during his time with the Trin.

The club confirmed his appointment via a statement which read: “Wakefield Trinity is delighted to announce that Danny Kirmond has returned to the club. He will take up a role, alongside recently appointed Michael Shenton, as Assistant Coach to Head Coach Daryl Powell.”

Powell said: “Danny Kirmond is a Trinity legend from the time he spent here. 10 years of toughness and effort from a quality player at one club means a lot to a fan base. I am so pleased he has come on board as a coach to pass on the things he learned as a player over the years. He’s a great bloke as well as a knowledgeable rugby man who will add hugely to the coaching team already in place.”

The club statement continued: “Danny joined Wakefield Trinity as a player in 2010 on loan from Huddersfield Giants and went on to become one of our most respected and influential players in the Super League era. He made the permanent move to the club in 2012 and part-way through that season was appointed club captain.

“He later in the season led the club in reaching the Super League play-offs, a role he served with great distinction for his hometown club, until 2019. In total Danny made 174 appearances for our club scoring 46 tries. He also represented England in a pre-season International Origin Series against the Exiles in 2012. His Trinity career ended playing his last game at Warrington on March 30th 2020.

“After Trinity, Danny continued his playing career joining York City Knights for the 2021 season. Last season at York his coaching career began when he took on the additional role of player/assistant coach. We wish Danny all the best in his new role with Wakefield Trinity and are sure he will bring the same commitment and leadership he always displayed as player and Club Captain.”