Wakefield Trinity • There is no shame or self pride.
Wildmoggy wrote:
It's certainly quite interesting what you have put on here, but I don't think it's as ever simple as the clubs who have money are successful just like that. Let's go back to 1998, and since then look at who has been crowned league champions, winning the grand final in doing so, Leeds, Saints, Wigan & Bradford, that's it isn't it? Now I don't know the exact financial situations at Leeds, Saints & Wigan, but probably similar, as is probably the same at Hull & Warrington? Two clubs who have invested heavily in those 20 odd years, have excellent facilities, youth set-ups, stadiums, training facilities, corporate & sponsorship etc, etc, yet neither have been crowned league champions in that time, yes they have had success in the challenge cup, but not the holy grail of being top dogs. Money is no good if it's wasted, good decisions as re. Coaches, overseas players, signing the correct youngsters at the right time, discarding players at the right time etc, etc, all have to be gotten right more often than not. Leeds, Saints & Wigan very rarely seem to go more than 2 or 3 seasons without winning the grand final, although Leeds' dominance if you like has waned in the last 5 years or so. They make good decisions with the finances they have more often than not, Hull & Warrington haven't, yet like I've said are probably financially on a par with the 'big' 3. I think i'm right in also saying neither of them have finished top in over 20 years at the end of the regular season, unlike Cas & Huddersfield. Money is no guarantee of success, but can certainly help i'll give you that!
On reflection I think you're correct, it's not just about the money. Then again, it is a limiting factor. You can't be successful in the professional era without money, but money doesn't guarantee success, especially in a salary-capped sport. If I were a multi-millionaire I could buy a stadium and facilities, but I couldn't just buy the best 25 players in the world.
So, the question really is, "what makes a club successful?"
From the data, I think we can safely say that Wigan have been a more successful club than Wakefield over the last 126 years. What is it about them that maintains that level of success? It has to be more than the modern requirements of facilities and youth structure because they've achieved it in every era, not just the fully professional one. What stops Warrington from being 'successful'?
Other clubs, like Wakefield, have been at the top in certain eras when all the stars align, such as Swinton, Oldham or Salford.
What's special about Wigan (other successful clubs are available) Is it their refusal to accept failure or mediocracy? Pride? Tradition?
Maybe Leeds are the model to follow? They only won 3 championships before 2004 (61, 69 & 72) an nothing before the 60s, much like Wakefield. Maybe they've always been a big club, just an unsuccessful one until recently.
Statistics: Posted by coco the fullback — Thu May 06, 2021 12:23 am — Replies 70 — Views 4999