Last night one of the biggest stories of the season was confirmed.
After Keighley Cougars pulled off one of the shock signings of the winter by securing former Man of Steel and Leeds Rhinos skipper Luke Gale, they have now bid farewell to him after just a third of a season as he joins Super League’s bottom club Wakefield Trinity tasked with saving them from relegation.
But how did social media react to one of the biggest stories of the year?
Starting with Keighley, for fans it was a double blow that they had let Jack Miller go at the end of last season to sign Gale.
https://twitter.com/Ryan_Turner123/status/1653108022338543627?s=20
You let Miller go for him.
Got a lot of time for Keighley, but that's horrible business.
— Matt_JL17 (@matt_JL17) May 1, 2023
Makes the decision to offload last seasons main player, Jack Miller look even more stupid. Gale wasn’t needed and hasn’t done enough to justify signing him. Ridiculous
— Richard (@Rich57H) May 1, 2023
Meanwhile, many took aim at Ryan O’Neill’s comments that the move is due in part to the uncertainty created by the IMG gradings.
https://twitter.com/RobertoVarlos/status/1653099876312309765?s=20
Basically its IMG's fault 🤣
— Andy (@onedart_) May 1, 2023
However, one fan looked on the bright side and the money the club has received for the deal. Yesterday the club confirmed plans for a new stand.
Hope supporters won't be disappointed by comments iam not sorry that he is leaving and the club has got good compensation
— john french (@johnfre84594371) May 1, 2023
It was that fee that didn’t impress some Wakefield fans however.
Think the worst thing about this transfer is that we’ve paid a fee. https://t.co/RhzT5NTStg
— sel (@matthew_adam96) May 1, 2023
One Wakefield fan remarkably described it as their “worst nightmare” before saying “welcome to Wakey.”
This is my worse nightmare come true I said start of season if he signed for us I'd never go to watch but seen as I've already bought tickets for wire on Friday night if he plays I suppose I've got no choice, if he does a good job for us then fine, welcome to wakey
— THE TRIN (@Michell57045357) May 1, 2023
With a huge game against former club Hull FC on the horizon with them struggling as well, some fans believe the script is written for Gale to defeat the Black and Whites.
What's the chances he kicks a last minute DG to beat Hull.
— P J Taylor (@Philip_j_Taylor) May 1, 2023
Some Wakefield fans were very excited by the news and were quick to welcome him to the club.
Welcome to the Trin family Luke as with everyone who pulls on the jersey you’ll get my support 🔴⚪️🔵
— Roy1873Smith (@Roy1873S) May 1, 2023
Welcome to Wakey lad. 👍👍❤️🤍💙
— Jackie Barrick (@monkeyshed) May 1, 2023
Meanwhile, one fan wasn’t totally convinced but said he would make a difference.
Not perfect but he’ll certainly make a difference 👍👏
— Mick Carr (Micky Sparkles) (@JINJERTRINITY) May 1, 2023
Whilst another said “on his day he could single handedly carry us.”
https://twitter.com/luca_wilkinson/status/1653083287521312769?s=20
Featherstone Rovers fans got involved wanting the transfer to lead to a return of Morgan Smith to the club.
Can we have Morgan smith back
— Craig jones (@cjmrtumnes) May 1, 2023
Turning back to Wakefield fans, one wants him to take on the captaincy immediately.
I’d make him captain straight away as ashurst is struggling since becoming captain
— Neil McGuire (@onfireMcG) May 1, 2023
As always there were some negative voices.
😂😂😂
I’m sorry Wakey fans. It’s somehow gotten worse for you— Brandon Dawson (@bdawson1902) May 1, 2023
Luke Gale playing against his old Keighley teammates in the Championship next season…. https://t.co/e36S6uQygt pic.twitter.com/jTK8xcIQ3R
— DB. (@dddooommm) May 1, 2023
Perhaps this fan summed it up best with this tweet acknowledging the two ways it could go.
Either going to go one of two ways. Will rescue Wakey and go down as one of the most pivotal signings in history.
Or will tank and will be a roll of the dice that spaffed money up the wall but will no doubt be pivotal in the Champ next year. Could even be coach. https://t.co/Y1H5GG9f6r
— Mark F (@Pleyndamour) May 1, 2023
It was inevitable that Hull FC fans would get involved describing it as “a new low” for a player who could have played NRL.
For someone who “could’ve played” NRL this is a new low😭😭😭 https://t.co/X9FKkEd4Az
— Hull FC Fanpage_ (@Hullfcfanpage_) May 1, 2023