Super League side Wakefield Trinity execs appointed a barrister and the club intends on "taking Wakefield Council to court," according to Jeremy Cross of the DAILY STAR. The club's "battle to secure a new ground" has been ongoing since '11, when a site called Newmarket was "earmarked on the outskirts of the city." But "despite a long campaign" to get the £12M ($15.8M) stadium built, "nothing has come to fruition," leaving execs and supporters "furious." In September, all parties involved, including the club, council, Belle Vue owner Mani Hussain and developer York Court Properties, agreed to a plan to instead build a new "Community Stadium" on the current site. But the deal fell through last week when it emerged Trinity officials "refused to agree to the Council's decision to lease the new facility and charge them an annual rent" of £500,000 ($658,500). Club bosses "remain convinced" Council Leader Peter Box and the developer have "no intention of ever building them a new ground." Chair Michael Carter accused the council of "neglecting its duties" and revealed the club will "fight a campaign in the courts in a bid to get justice." In a joint statement with fellow Dir Chris Brereton, Carter said, "The reason we are in the present predicament with no security of tenure for the future of Wakefield Trinity and its new Super League Stadium is entirely the fault of Wakefield Council" (DAILY STAR, 11/7).
