Wakefield purchase Belle Vue ahead of planned redevelopment

Wakefield have secured the freehold of their Belle Vue ground and adjoining land, marking the first step of a planned redevelopment.

It has been a source of frustration for Wakefield in recent years, with planned new stadium developments at Newmarket failing to get off the ground, while a disagreement with the landlords at Belle Vue almost saw the club leave there altogether.

But now plans for a new 12,000-capacity community stadium on the site of Belle Vue can press forward.

Trinity Chairman, John Minards, said: “This is an historic day for our great club. We are the owners of our stadium once again, having first purchased it in 1893. In completing this purchase, we are grateful for the support of Wakefield Council, without whom it would not have been possible, as well as our former landlord, 88m Group.

“While it is great news to be owners of our own ground, this is only very much the first stage of our redevelopment plans and we continue to be in active discussions with a number of parties as we progress towards our ambitions for a world class Community Stadium fit for the 21st century.

“This is a club with great traditions and high ambitions. Since joining the board in November I have been working with our Chief Executive, Michael Carter, to explore how we develop our stadium to match the quality of the team we put on the field following our two consecutive top 5 Super League finishes in the last two years, while maintaining the financial stability that the management team have brought about since 2014.”

Wakefield have played at the ground since the 1870s.