'Let's show Derek Beaumont': Matt Ellis calls on fans to help prove Wakefield Trinity are bigger than Leigh Leopards

Trinity won the Championship League Leaders' Shield at a canter thanks to 25 wins in 26 games but their season comes down to the next two weekends.

Ellis, who has shown his ambition from the start of his tenure as Wakefield owner, is convinced Trinity have the potential to be a force in Super League.

"Wakefield is a city club," he told The Yorkshire Post.

"You look at the journeys that Leigh and Hull KR have been on. They've gone from crowds less than we're getting now to full capacity.

"I've watched a couple of previous play-off finals when Leigh had 7,000 there. I'd like to think we're as big a club, if not bigger than Leigh so let's show Derek (Beaumont, Leopards owner) how Wakefield do it and try sell out the stadium."

Ellis assembled a star-studded squad for Wakefield's Championship stay and the fans have got behind him, with the average attendance of 5,628 representing a 30 per cent increase on last season in Super League and the highest since 2013.

The supporters have been asked to give Daryl Powell's team one last push.

"It's been a long season, a successful season," said Ellis, who was in attendance at Tuesday's awards night in Leeds where Powell and Max Jowitt won the Championship Coach and Player of the Year respectively.

"Since we won the League Leaders' Shield, there's been a little bit of a lull. We've been winning but I think we're all looking forward to the next two games because it's play-off rugby and win or bust.

"When we've got the support behind us, it gives the boys a massive lift. The fans have been phenomenal in the numbers they've followed us in but these next two games we really need the supporters. We've got a chance for a special end to a special season.

"I say it all the time: when it's a raucous atmosphere and the fans are right behind you, it's a much better event. If we can carry that into next season, we'll do something the next few years."

Promotion is not at stake in the play-offs following the switch to a grading system, with Super League hopefuls instead waiting for IMG's verdict later this month.

Wakefield are expected to secure their return to the top tier but Ellis has reiterated the importance of achieving promotion the right way by winning the Grand Final.

"We're confident with IMG and have done everything we can but ultimately, we'll all be gutted if we fell short now after such a good season," he added.

"We want new people in Wakefield to get on this as well. We've had 40 years of not winning and winning generates support.

"We were in Super League a long time but never made a Challenge Cup final or the Grand Final. You ride off the back of that for years.

"Hopefully we take the steps to that this season and can get in the top six in the next few years."