Just in case the moaners on here have missed his statement, here it is.
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. More than anything this is a very personal decision but clearly there are club related reasons as well.
When I took the decision to get involved there were primarily 3 objectives I had in mind.
1. To make sure that the Club survived, and that Elite Professional Sport would not die in the City of Wakefield.
2. To try and make a difference to young lives through sport that would encourage young people to get out of the house and get fit. The obesity rates in Wakefield were frightening.
3. To try and get the long-awaited Community Stadium finally resolved to give the City of Wakefield a focal venue it could be proud of.
I would hope that everyone would agree that point 1 was achieved. I think point 2 has also been achieved and we have seen record numbers of junior season tickets this year which is very gratifying. And point 3 looks as though it will eventually be complete, although all the credit for this must go to John Minards, as this most certainly wouldn’t have happened without his hard work and dedication.
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.
Recent years have also seen some of the toughest times our Club has ever experienced in peacetime -during the COVID pandemic. I have been proud to play my part in steering the Club through these difficult times and was genuinely humbled by the support we received from supporters and sponsors during those difficult times.
There have however been some real disappointments, particularly in recent months.
The failure to engage the wider general public in Wakefield to come and attend games has been very disappointing for me. Clearly whatever I have attempted has failed and we have never been able to match the average 6300 fans needed to enable us to spend up to the salary cap.
In September of last year, I was charged by the RFL following a complaint from an agent. I successfully defended myself against this unfounded charge, thanks in no small part to the kind words from other agents I have dealings with. I understand fully that the RFL have a duty to investigate any complaints but the whole episode left a bitter taste in my mouth, with my integrity having been questioned.
As we move into a new era for Rugby League with the recently announced IMG proposals, it is clear that our Club will have to change to survive at Super League level. Although the new facilities we are building give us new opportunities, we still face massive challenges; to exploit the facilities on non-match days and attract significantly higher crowds to our games. Those clubs with the best chance of achieving Super League success remain those with a wealthy benefactor.
I have never claimed to be that wealthy benefactor, despite supporting the Club to the tune of in excess of £2 million pounds over the last 12 years, and I firmly believe that Wakefield Trinity needs someone else to lead this Club forward from this point, to take it to the next level.
I intend to step down as soon as possible, with an ultimate backstop of the end of the season. I will go as soon as the Remaining Board/Shareholders feel they have found someone to drive this Club forward. I will continue to be a fan, sponsor and volunteer for as long as I am needed.
In regard to my shareholding, my feelings have never changed. If there is an individual or individuals out there, that I (and the remaining shareholders) feel will benefit the Club, then I will make my shares available. I do not intend to seek payment for my share of the Club.
As I described above, it has been a long and winding road over the last 10 years, clearly with both highs and lows and some genuinely enjoyable moments along the way. I have met hundreds of new friends, whether there are fans of Wakefield Trinity, Sponsors or people from other Clubs. I would like to pay tribute to how I have been treated by the vast majority of our fans and all of our sponsors in that time. You have been truly supportive, and I thank you immensely.
However again it is no secret that I have struggled mentally and also suffered some physical ill health over the last few years, and given I am turning 55 this year, there is so much that I still want to do in life while I am relatively healthy and mobile.
I would like to thank the Board and Shareholders for all the help they have given me and rest assured I remain committed this season to making it the best it can be. I’d also like to thank all of the staff. They do an unbelievable job given the constraints imposed.
I’d like to thank my Dad, for his constant help, and my kids Danielle, Joe, Sam and Bradley for all they have put up with and understanding when I have had to miss something due to rugby.
And finally, to my wife Tracy, who has put up with many weekends where I’ve been depressed and miserable. She has been invaluable by my side for the last 10 years, and none of this would have been remotely possible without her there.
I look forward to catching up with many of you over the next 6 months, and whatever the future holds I wish only the best of fortunes for Wakefield Trinity.
Up The Trin
MichaelThe
