Wakefield pin hopes on being bought out of crisis

The West Yorkshire outfit are particularly excited by the potential of one interested party and remain confident new owners could be in place before the start of the Super League season at Cardiff on February 12.

Whether they can avoid heading into administration beforehand is, however, distinctly unlikely.

Wakefield were hit with a winding-up petition for unpaid tax last week, their third in the last 12 months and the latest monetary issue has thrown their future into doubt.

They have already fallen hugely short of the 500,000 target – a total Trinity say they need to meet by the end of the month to secure their immediate future – with regards a share-pledge scheme.

Concerned fans have rallied to form a Supporters' Trust but they have, understandably given the current financial climate, only managed to generate 26,000 towards that unlikely figure.

The unpaid tax bill is believed to be more than 300,000 but any prospective buyer is equally unlikely to settle that before taking over.

It is, instead, thought Wildcats could go into administration as early as next Monday – just 48 hours before their date with HM Revenue & Customs at the High Court of Justice – with it then being unburdened of its existing debt ready for new buyers.

Heading into administration would result in an automatic penalty of up to a six-point deduction for breaching the Rugby Football League's insolvency rules but it seems a small price to pay to enhance chances of that crucial investment being secured.

A precedent has already been set with Crusaders due to start the campaign on minus four points after taking a similar route in December.

Wildcats chief executive James Elston, meanwhile, was locked in talks with the RFL yesterday as he attempted to prove Wakefield's future is sound and that they will be able to kick-off the campaign against arch-rivals Castleford in less than three weeks' time.

They are also deep into negotiations with Barnsley FC regarding playing their home games at Oakwell in 2012 with this being their final year of action at Belle Vue and their plans for a new stadium at Newmarket currently held up by red tape.

Wakefield do, it seems, remain the most likely club to lose out when the new Super League licences are awarded in July but Elston pointed towards sections of their application – such as a strong commercial arm, community trust and development of home-grown players – as factors in their favour.

Also, wily coach John Kear admits the uncertainty currently hanging over the club will be utilised as a motivational tool on the field in 2011.

"We're aware of people coming in and having a look at the club and investigating whether it's a sound investment but we can't control that," he said.

"We've just come together as players and coaches and said 'it's us against the world'.

"We're happy to put our backs against the wall and cope with the adversity.

"We've nothing to lose. We might as well just get out there and give it a good crack. You never know what might turn up.

"We'll roll our sleeves up and it will be a relief to get out there (against Castleford) and play a game of rugby that matters and then get into week in, week out rounds of Super League."

The lack of cash is preventing Kear's forays into the transfer market but as a veteran of troubled circumstances amid his five years at Wakefield – players Adam Watene and Leon Walker died within the space of a few months ahead of and during the 2009 campaign – he accepts that will not be an issue.

"We've had some really traumatic times and I think that's why personally I feel able to cope with having financial constraints," he said. "Being strapped for cash is one thing but losing someone who is so greatly respected and admired is another entirely."

Wakefield have a severe lack of experienced props but hope to take a couple on loan before hopefully making deals permanently if a takeover is completed.

"We've only got four specialist props," said Kear. "Two of them are very young players and one of them is out injured at the moment.

"We've identified two front rowers and it would be very welcoming if we could get them to the club. We've got to make do and mend at the minute."

Former Hull utility player Motu Tony, one of Kear's nine new signings, will miss the start of the season with a broken hand sustained in training and hooker James Davey, who has joined neighbours Featherstone on a dual-registration, pulled a hamstring on Sunday on his first appearance for the Championship club.