Wakefield enter administration
Wakefield are likely to face a points deduction ahead of the new Super League season after entering administration.
A board announcement earlier today confirmed that the court have appointed O’Hara’s as the administrators of the Wakefield Trinity Rugby League Football Club Limited company.
In the statement, the board said: “Despite our efforts and those of a number of our fans we have not been able to secure the funds necessary to pay the amounts due to HMRC and so the Company was facing a winding up petition which would have potentially meant the end of the Club that we all love.
“Having run the Club for 20 years we have no wish to see its great history and traditions disappear and so we have no choice but to seek the appointment of an administrator to give the Club protection from its creditors.
“We are working with a number of parties who have already expressed an interest in securing the future of the Club, its position in the Super League and the benefits that it brings to the local Community.”
Wakefield are now facing a fight to hold on to their Super League licence, with a decision set for later this year to determine the clubs who will play in the top flight from 2012-14.
A Championship club has been guaranteed a place in Super League for next season, and the successful applicant will be revealed on March 31st. With the league set to remain at 14, it means one club will be culled, and the Wildcats look to be in the most precarious position.
The statement continued: “We wish to see the future of the Club resolved as quickly as possible so that the Wildcats can enter the 2011 Super League season with stable financial and commercial foundations. With the right ownership and support from the fans and local community we are confident that the Club will have a bright and successful future.
“We are also very optimistic that any new owners will have strong local links as well as being proven enthusiastic supporters of sport in the Wakefield area.”
The Wildcats become the second Super League club to enter administration this close season, following Crusaders. The Wrexham-based club were handed a four point deduction for their financial misdemeanours.
