Wakefield picked on merit, insists Glover

The Wildcats were widely expected to be dropped from the competition on Tuesday as the RFL awarded licences for the 2012-14 seasons.

But the shock withdrawal of Welsh club Crusaders changed the picture completely and Wakefield were assumed to have been the beneficiaries as they were included in Super League for the next three years.

Yet Glover is convinced his club had done enough to prove their suitability to continue in the elite division regardless of the Crusaders’ demise, and claims to have been told so by the RFL.

In an open letter to supporters, Glover wrote: “It’s great to see the efforts of all the staff and team paying off and a big well done from me for their work.

“I mentioned on the TV news that we had been informed by Blake Solly, RFL compliance manager, that we won this licence on our own merit, so it’s a shame the gloss was taken off our award by the mention of Crusaders removing their application.”

The RFL say they are doing all they can to help the Crusaders players come to terms with the club’s licensing bombshell, with meetings planned with the Rugby League Players’ Association in an attempt to resolve the issue of owed monies.

n Wigan prop Stuart Fielden has been ruled out for the rest of the season after tearing a pectoral muscle in training.