Wakefield Wildcats and Rams consider ground-sharing option

WAKEFIELD Trinity could be on the way out of Belle Vue.
Wakefield Wildcats' ground at Belle VueWakefield Wildcats' ground at Belle Vue
Wakefield Wildcats' ground at Belle Vue

Wildcats chairman Michael Carter says the Super League strugglers must decide in just a few weeks’ time whether to share Dewsbury Rams’ ground in 2016.

He met with opposite number Mark Sawyer about the possibility of moving into the Championship club’s Tetley’s Stadium for next season.

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Wakefield handed in their notice on Belle Vue last month having admitted they could no longer afford the rental outlay and spiraling costs of upkeep at the decaying ground that has been their home since 1895.

“I asked about a reduced rent but I’ve had no response or feedback whatsoever from those that administer it other than to say they’d received our notice and would pass it on to the (owners) Bank of Ireland,” explained Carter.

“We’ve been trying to talk to get some leeway but the honest, simple truth is the stadium doesn’t work. It costs an arm and a leg for something that doesn’t work.

“It’s 120 years old but feels 300 years old when you’re running it and it is horrendous to operate.

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“I don’t want to say we’re definitely leaving but that’s the plan we’re looking at.

“We’ve had our first meeting with Dewsbury talking about figures, how we’d work it, and said we’d get back to them in the next couple of weeks.

“We have also spoken to Doncaster and have to make a decision by the end of August to give ourselves a chance of getting things in place.”

England second-row Ben Westwood could miss Warrington Wolves’ Challenge Cup semi-final with Hull KR on Saturday after being charged with Grade B striking of Castleford’s Luke Gale with either the arm or shoulder.