1895 Cup final: Wembley trip is just the start of new vision for club, says Wakefield Trinity owner

The passionate supporter, whose company, DIY Kitchens, which manufactures and sells kitchens online throughout the UK, took over ownership at Belle Vue last October and instantly made plans to try and bring the glory days back to Wakefield.

In came former Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers and Warrington Wolves head coach Daryl Powell. A host of eye-catching new signings followed. From the Super League, Iain Thornley, who won the 2023 Grand Final with Wigan Warriors, signed along with Huddersfield Giants legend Jermaine McGillvary and Derrell Olpherts, who came from Leeds Rhinos.

Last season’s top try scorer in the Championship, Lachlan Walmsley, arrived from Halifax Panthers, along with Myles Lawford from Bradford Bulls. France international Mathieu Cozza moved from nearby Featherstone Rovers, while exciting trio Caleb Uele, Luke Bain and Toby Boothroyd joined from Down Under.

Don’t forget the likes of Luke Gale, Mason Lino, Max Jowitt, Matty Ashurst, Josh Bowden, Liam Hood and Liam Kay, who were all retained. Incredibly, Mike McMeeken and Tom Johnstone have already been signed for 2025.

The future seems immensely bright for the red, blue and white.

As for the present, the current crop have all helped Wakefield to an unbeaten start in the Championship as they look to bounce back to Super League immediately.

They also have this special Wembley trip to look forward to on Saturday. A first trip to the national stadium for the club, the fans and the city in 45 years, since a Challenge Cup final defeat to Widnes in 1979.

Speaking to the Wakefield Express, Ellis, who watched the team he grew up supporting secure only four wins in 2023, said: “This was the year we needed to bounce back and bring some positivity back around the place after being in the doldrums a little bit last year.

“Last season we lost 12 from the first 12 games and I always had in the back of my mind to go 12 from 12 in the opposite direction this year. I wanted to win the first 12 and banish the year we had last year.

“This was always the big investment year. We had no money coming in from the Rugby League this year from central distribution so it was always the year we wanted to bounce back strong, get the supporters on side and go into Super League with morale high.

“And the Wembley trip helps with that. It is great we are going back there after 45 years of not being there. I was not born.

“But we are going to Wembley to win, 100 per cent. Let’s have a great day.”

Born in 1984, Ellis’ first Wakefield game came 15 years later at Oakwell in 1999. Wakefield beat St Helens and the rest, for Ellis, is history. Hooked.

And the businessman is now hoping that this weekend’s visit to Wembley will be the first game of a new generation of Trin supporters.

He said: “When you speak to some of the older supporters who have been to watch the team at Wembley and have seen the glory days, it feels like we have had a missed generation and that has affected the crowds and the growth of the club.

“You look at Leigh. They have grown from a club that’s not had many supporters and they have built on the back of it.

“Hopefully we can now entice new supporters. Hopefully they hear about this and want to be part of it. Some might even be going to Wembley as their first ever game and then get into it. It’s all about building it up.

“I’d like people who are thinking about going to take the plunge and go. We want to represent the club and the city.

“We are not going to be far off taking similar numbers to the Challenge Cup guys. We are going to be well supported down there.

“But we want to be going to Wembley more often. We don’t want to go 45 years without.

“In the time I am owner I would like to go to Wembley a few times, and hopefully in the Challenge Cup in years to come.”

Commending Powell after a promising start to the rebuild project at Belle Vue, Ellis said: “He is exactly what the club needed. We needed a calm, experienced older head who has been there and done it.

“The players have all bought into it. The lads were ready for a fresh start and Daryl was perfect for that.

“He has been able to put his team together and the players are loving training and loving how they are being looked after.

“They are seeing a vision and they all want to be top six Super League players. That is what the whole club is trying to get to. This is the start of it.

“My investment is driving some of the players that are coming in but having somebody like Daryl also helps when you’re making signings like we are making. He is desperate to win stuff.

“Me and him have a common goal to get Wakefield back to having events like this and establish ourselves as a top club back in Super League.”

Will the Trinity-mad Ellis be in the stands with his fellow supporters on Saturday evening?

“I have got a few roles to perform on the day so we are in the box with the other owners,” the owner said. “There are a few places where I need to be.

“I’d have loved to have been in my shorts and a T-shirt having a couple of beers watching the game like that with the supporters!”