Wakefield Trinity chairman Michael Carter admits franchise sale could happen in future

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' Belle Vue stadium

WAKEFIELD TRINITY chairman Michael Carter says he has had no approaches about selling the club's Super League franchise '“ but has admitted he would consider it in the future.

Carter was responding to an article in The Yorkshire Post that stated the West Yorkshire outfit is considering exploring opportunities to cash-in on its top-flight status.

The RFL has said it would listen to struggling clubs who would be interested in moving to new areas such as Coventry or Newcastle.

In an interview with BBC Radio Leeds, Carter said: “It was raised and discussed in a meeting with all the Super League clubs in February for about 15 minutes.

Wakefield Trinity chairman Michael Carter

“There is absolutely nothing to consider from my point of view.

“It’s a non-story for me at this point in time.”

However, asked if he could see a Super League club going ahead with that, Carter continued: “If there was somebody out there who was interested in buying a Super League franchise it clearly isn’t going to happen overnight.

“When you’re talking about people’s livelihoods, coaching, playing...I can’t see anything happening within two years if it happens at all.

“Again, there’s nothing to consider from my point of view... at this time.

“If there was, we could discuss it. If someone came along and said I want to give you £2m for your franchise, here’s where we’re going to head, and this is what it’ll entail for everyone involved, then you sit down  and consider it in a rational manner.”

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Wakefield are looking for a new home in 2018 as they will not stay ay Belle Vue beyond the end of this season, Carter having said he feels it is not fit for purpose.

He believes the local authority still has a moral obligation to help build a new stadium just off the M62 at Newmarket.

Carter said: “The planning permission is there for a 12,000-capacity stadium but we need to find the ten to £12m that it will take to build it.

“That has been re-explored over the past six weeks. It’s not dead in the water by any stretch of the imagination.

“If we can’t squeeze the money out of the developer, we’ve to work out how can we raise it ourselves to at least kick-start the project. I’m fighting on behalf of the club and the citizens of Wakefield to get what was promised to them at a public inquiry.”