Wakefield have had “some of the weakest finances and crowd levels” says departing CEO

Wakefield Trinity this week announced that Michael Carter will step down as CEO by the end of 2023.  

Michael Carter said; 

“As I continue into my 10th year as Custodian of this Club, I have been pondering my future and the future of the game in much detail and ultimately I have decided to stand down as CEO and as a director of the club by the end of 2023.  

We have achieved so much in recent years, as anyone visiting the Be Well Support Stadium at Belle Vue can see – and there is so much more the club will achieve in the years ahead. For me however it is time to move on. I look forward to staying close to the club going forward – but as strictly as a fan, sponsor and volunteer!” 

John Minards, Chairman of Wakefield Trinity added; 

“While today’s announcement will come as a surprise to many, it is something Michael and I have been discussing for many months. It is nonetheless very much the end of an era for our club. 

As Michael says, we are continuing with our plans to drive the club forward in the context of the redeveloped stadium and there will be further announcements as the season progresses. 

Michael will be with us as CEO potentially until the end of this season and his actual departure from the role will be the appropriate time to pay proper tribute to his immense contribution. For now I would just want to express a huge thank you to Michael for all that he and his family have done for all of us. Put simply, without him there would not be a Wakefield Trinity today.”

In his resignation letter, Carter stated that he feels that he couldn’t have achieved anymore at the club given the financial constraints on the club.

He said:

“On the field, I genuinely believe that we have achieved a great deal as a club over the past 10 years. From the brink of administration and a couple of very close brushes with relegation, we have maintained our Super League status and enjoyed a couple of top 5 finishes and a Cup semi-final along the way. This has been achieved despite having some of the weakest financial resources in terms of benefactors, non-match day income and crowd levels.”