Wakefield are facing clearout to survive at the top

He has already off-loaded scrum-half Tim Smith to Salford City Reds on Friday, essentially just to be able to pay the wage bill at Belle Vue.

In a statement released on Saturday, Carter said he had also turned down a “substantial” six-figure offer for inspirational second-row Kirmond, around whom he hoped to build the club.

However, while insisting Trinity is not in danger of a second administration in just three years, he admitted yesterday more players could be sold unless they attract crucial new investment soon.

“I didn’t want to sell Danny Kirmond and at that time we didn’t have to,” said Carter, who took over from Andrew Glover a fortnight ago.

“But if we don’t get further investment then, yes, players are going to have to go.

“I’m a fan and the majority of fans are saying they want a club. I say if you want that then I’ve got to be able to pay this, this and this...

“I like Danny and I’d love to build a team around him. That’s our aim. But if I have to pay somebody come wages day and have no other alternative what can I do?

“I don’t see any point in beating around the bush. I haven’t got the money left to put in and the club hasn’t got £50,000 just sat there waiting.

“We need to get more investors in or more sponsorship.”

With Carter and fellow director Chris Brereton making all decisions, chief executive James Elston – who worked in tandem with Glover – has been given a new role of chief operating officer.

Glover bought the club out of administration in February, 2011 but has found it difficult to turn them around, with a winding-up petition issued by HMRC in July on the back of nine County Court Judgements.

That raised fresh questions about Trinity’s future which were dead-batted by the club, who then released hooker Kyle Wood to Huddersfield Giants to release funds. Carter admits he has to take some responsibility, too.

“I have to stick my hand up,” said the 44-year-old, who hails from Hull.

“I was involved a year ago so it’s partly my fault. I was a shareholder and I should have been asking the same questions.

“I did the accounts up until last November and then stepped aside. We brought somebody in to do them and it went badly wrong.

“It has been going literally hand to mouth. You pull our accounts and we’ve lost ‘X’ amount so we’re spending more than what we’ve got coming in. We’re now trying to cut our cloth accordingly.”

Carter, who sold his family coach business, Yorkshire Traction, in 2005, was invited to invest at Trinity by Glover two years ago after they met at Silcoates School in Wakefield which their children attend.

He maintains there is no danger of the former chairman asking for his own investment back.

“Andrew has given me a complete undertaking that he will not pull out any of his money,” said Carter, who has also agreed to purchase Glover’s shares.

“He’s given me that in writing and on a handshake, too, and I trust the guy.

“He’s assured me that’s the case. We’re not going to get through this and then suddenly Andrew says he wants his money back.”

He does, though, admit Wakefield have previously paid over the odds for too many of their squad.

“I won’t go into specific details but we all have an opinion on what individual players should be paid and I wouldn’t pay some of the salaries,” admitted Carter.

“At some point, someone should have been saying ‘We can’t afford this, (coach) Richard (Agar).’

“We did pick up people like Paul Aiton on a great deal but for every one of those there are others being paid too much.”

However, he is adamant the club will still be a top-flight entity in 2014 – and will be capable of staying in the division when relegation is reintroduced.

“We will definitely be a Super League team next season,” he said. “We are planning on still being here next year with a competitive squad and making the 12.

“We will still have a club next season but I will not put the cart before the horse; I won’t spend money that I haven’t got as it’s false economy.

“If we can get to the starting point of our plan, I fully believe we can get through this as a competitive Super League team.

“It’s whether I can get to that starting point; we need anyone who professes to be a Wakefield supporter to come forward now.”

Carter added Hull KR’s bid is still on the table for Trinity winger Ben Cockayne while four clubs have shown interest in former Leeds Rhinos prop Kyle Amor.

Belle Vue sound the alarm bells

Club needs £400,000 investment by the end of October to allow them to enable a new business plan.

If that cash is not found, new chairman Michael Carter says players will be off-loaded to help pay wage bill.

He insists Super League place is not in doubt and Trinity will be there in 2014.

Previous chairman Andrew Glover will not demand any of his own investment back out of the crippled club and stays on to oversee move to planned new stadium at Newmarket.

Carter and fellow director Chris Brereton – who provides cars to Wakefield’s overseas players – take over all decision-making at Belle Vue.

Chief executive James Elston removed from role but becomes chief operating officer where his “vast knowledge of rugby league” is required by new leaders.

Carter admits club has been paying over the odds for too many players but warns any circling vultures they will get “short shrift” if they come looking for cheap deals for star players.