Morrison aims to restore pride in Wakefield

The meek manner in which their last campaign petered out left many mortified but, tellingly, quite a few not ashamed at all.

The latter have since found themselves among those

removed from Belle Vue as part of John Kear's squad overhaul, the head coach assembling a youthful group for 2011 where, regardless of results, it seems effort and endeavour will not be lacking.

Driving them forward will be the club's new captain Glenn Morrison, a man whose commitment to the cause and altruistic attitude have been prominent at every club he has served.

The highly-respected Australian second-row was one of the few to emerge with his reputation intact last season, his first since arriving from Bradford Bulls, and it was no surprise when Kear named him as the example he wants others to follow.

Morrison is bullish about Trinity's prospects, telling the Yorkshire Post: "This year it feels like a new club.

"We've lost people either who didn't want to be here or people the club didn't actually want and we've brought in some young boys who do want to be at Wakefield, people striving to give their all.

"A lot of us were embarrassed to see the way we finished last season and we want to put that right.

"These young lads have come into the squad and brought the energy up. Everyone has to look over their shoulder and, seeing how energetic they are in training, there's a good buzz around the place."

Kear has placed his faith in a host of talented players who have not managed to make the necessary breakthrough at Super League

rivals.

Stuart Howarth and Josh Veivers – son of former Huddersfield and St Helens legend Phil – were part of the Wigan Warriors Under-20s Grand Final-winning side but have yet to make their Super League debuts while prop Paul Johnson made just two appearances for St Helens.

Similarly, Frankie Mariano was on the fringes of Hull KR's squad last season while Kevin Penny failed to build on his prolific 2007 at Warrington when the electric winger was named in the Super League Dream Team and called up to the England squad.

Kear has added others who are looking for the chance to resurrect their career, including former Hull FC star Motu Tony and

fellow Kiwi Jeremy Smith, someone who failed to flatter at Salford City Reds.

With the hugely disappointing Paul Cooke being released along with the likes of the more famous Paul Johnson, Morrison added: "What he's trying to do is bring people into the club who want to play and have something to prove.

"They want to prove they have still got it and kick on in the game.

"The youngsters we have got might not have made it at other clubs but have the chance to earn a starting spot at Wakefield.

"They are all training hard and that's what John wants; someone who is going to give their all.

"It has that positive feel about it. Everyone is pushing each other to do better."

St Helens centre Chris Dean, 22, was the latest addition last week while Trinity hope to announce the capture of an NRL prop imminently, Canterbury Bulldogs' Jarrad Hickey and Cronulla's Siosaia Vave being heavily linked to the West Yorkshire club.

Stability will be the key once the season gets underway against Castleford in Cardiff on February 12, Wildcats desperately hoping to avoid the dramas of last season when former Great Britain hooker Terry Newton's drugs ban saw him sacked, Australian prop Shane Tronc suffered home-sickness and returned Down Under, and talismanic playmaker Danny Brough was sold to Huddersfield.

"We had a few disruptions and there was a few issues we just didn't recover from," admitted Morrison. "But we've only got ourselves to blame for not getting the results.

"We're a better side than where we ended up last season and we have a point to prove. The fans kept coming to watch us getting beat.

"We want to give something back to them now and keep this club alive.

"Personally, I'm honoured to be able to lead such a great club. There's a lot of hard work going on behind the scenes trying to get the licensing and new ground all approved and we just want to do the same thing on the pitch.

"The whole pre-season has been about hard work and pushing through the pain barrier. That is something we'll have to do but the signs are good."