Wakefield Trinity in impressive initiative to reconnect with one of their former players

It’s always imperative at a club to pay homage to those players that have donned the club shirt in the past.

For one Wakefield Trinity great, Geoff Bagnall, he was taken by surprise by a current player, who called him up to try and understand the club of the past – and Bagnall’s role within that.

Jai Whitbread, who made the move to Belle Vue in the off-season from the relegated Leigh Centurions, seems to have already made himself a hit on the West Yorkshire terraces.

Bagnall tweeted: “Would like to express my great surprise when I received a phone call from current player Jai Whitbread.

“Jai was asked by his coach I presume Willie Poching to get in touch with a former player and find out some history about the player and club era at that time.

“What a fantastic initiative by the coach helping to champion the history of the club and certainly building club culture.

“As well, you have made a lot of the old boys like myself feel part of the current club again.

“I will be watching you throughout 2022 and hope you all have a great season.”

Classed as one of Wakefield’s greatest ever halfbacks, Bagnall arrived from the Gold Coast Seagulls in early 1992 and was then made captain the following season.

An influential and popular captain, responsible for many of Trinity’s victories in this era, Bagnall played 55 games before returning home in late 1993.

How great is this?! Proper love everything what Willie is doing with this squad right now, hope it translates to the pitch too as he deserves every bit of success! @WTrinityRL pic.twitter.com/KGlfuFeG5W

— Down at Belle Vue (@downatbellevue) January 13, 2022