Thousands of fans line route of open top bus parade to celebrate Wakefield Trinity's Super League Grand Final victory
Thousands of Wakefield Trinity fans are welcoming their heroes home as the club takes part in an open top bus parade through the city this afternoon (Sunday) to celebrate winning the Super League Grand Final.
Trin made history at Old Trafford last night by beating Warrington Wolves 23-10 to be crowned league champions for the first time since 1968.
Open-top buses set off from Belle Vue on their route to the city centre, where they are expected to arrive at Wakefield Town Hall for a civic reception at approximately 3pm.
This will be followed by a special ticketed fan celebration event at WX (Wakefield Exchange) from 4.30pm-5.30pm.
Among the fans arriving at Belle Vue this afternoon for the bus parade was Jodie Papworth.
She said: “Unbelievable, we still can’t believe it. We’ve all lost our voice, it’s once in a lifetime. We’re buzzing, everyone’s buzzing, it was brilliant yesterday. We want to do it all again!
“It’s just been a real boost of positive energy into the city. It was needed, definitely.”
She added: “It was just lovely to see all those people there yesterday shouting ‘Wakefield, Wakefield’. It was emotional. I’m tearing up now.”
Vicky Batty said: “It’s brought everyone together, it’s just amazing.”
Lewis Broadhead, a member of the club’s learning disability team, who met Kevin Sinfield at Belle Vue earlier in the week on his 7 in 7 Grand Finale challenge, said: “I’m glad they won. I’m really proud that they’ve got this far.”
He added: “What a turnout. We’re going to the Exchange tonight, got tickets for that, looking forward to it.”
Melanie, Lewis’s mum, said they enjoyed watching the match and were shouting along at home. She will also be attending this evening’s event at Wakefield Exchange.
Melanie said: “We’re taking Lewis’s neighbour, Margaret, who is 85 years old and she has been supporting Wakefield Trinity for the last 70-odd years. She was there yesterday, her grandson took her.”
She added: “My uncle is Mick Morgan, ‘I can’t speak’. We’ve always had rugby in the family.
“My husband used to play rugby at Wyke and he played with Cam Scott’s dad. So there you go, it’s a small world!”
Will you be going to this afternoon’s celebrations? Send your photos to [email protected]