“No one wants to be playing in them sort of stadiums” – Applegarth on stadium redevelopment

It’s exciting times for Wakefield Trinity as the club enters a new era both on and off the field which promises to be a bright new start at Belle Vue.

The club have made some exciting signings in the shape of Featherstone Rovers halfback Morgan Smith and NRL star Kevin Proctor.

The West Yorkshire side also have a new coach in the shape of Mark Applegarth who is supported by new assistant James Ford formerly of York as they fill the gaps left by former Leeds Rhinos duo Willie Poching and Francis Cummins who helped steer the club away from relegation at the end of last season.

Off the field it is exciting times at Belle Vue as well as the club revamps their ground thanks to a grant provided by Wakefield Council.

The club are expecting major development by the summer as they celebrate their 150th year which has resulted in the release of special jerseys to mark the club’s legacy.

Applegarth spoke about the stadium redevelopment with Jon Wilkin on The Bench podcast.

It came as Wilkin admited: “I used to hate going to Wakefield.”

To which Applegarth said: “Well, there’s a few different reasons why you might hate coming to Wakefield.”

Wilkin then joked, “No not the changing rooms.”

And Applegarth replied: “They are pretty bad though aren’t they?”

Then the new Wakefield boss said the redevelopment of the stadium was “overdue”:

“It’s getting there, it’s well overdue let’s be fair. No one wants to be playing in them sort of stadiums in modern sport. As a Wakefield lad, I’m proud to see that we’re finally getting a stadium that the city can be proud of because it was getting a bit embarrassing if I’m honest.

“I remember chatting to you before a Sky game last year and saying that ‘it is embarrassing’.”

Wilkin then responded: “Yeah, you were doing wrestling with some kids in like a shed or a portacabin.

But Applegarth reiterated: “We’re getting there, fair play to the board they’ve worked really hard behind the scenes to get that funding secured.”

Wakefield are at Belle Vue tonight to take on Catalans Dragons.