Upon taking over Wakefield Trinity in late 2023, Matt Ellis expressed his desire to return the team to the Super League in the proper manner.
When the indicative gradings were announced last year, Trinity was one of the top 12 teams, putting the team on track for an instant return to the top division.
Ellis, on the other hand, immediately set about making Wakefield better from top to bottom because he did not want to depend on IMG for a return ticket.
Equipped with a championship team that was expected to dominate the competition, new head coach Daryl Powell surrounded himself with familiar faces on the coaching staff.
With five rounds remaining, Powell’s team successfully managed the pressure to end the club’s 61-year wait for a Wembley Cup victory and win the League Leaders’ Shield. However, Wakefield still has a significant obstacle to overcome in order to achieve the ideal promotion.
Ellis told The Yorkshire Post that after watching Trinity secure top spot with victory at Halifax Panthers, “we celebrated for an hour or two when we got back to the ground but we’re making sure we concentrate on finishing the job and having a proper celebration if we win the Grand Final.”
“We were under pressure going into the season, but Daryl put together a backroom group that pleased him, and the club picks up on his confident vibes.
“If it had been between the Championship and the Super League, Dale would have been my pick. He’s among the best coaches in the British game, in my opinion, and I hope he can demonstrate this by working particularly well with us.
“We’re excited to play in the play-offs at home, but the Grand Final would undoubtedly be tense because it’s just one game and there are a lot of IMG points at stake.
“Hopefully we’ll go into the semi-final still unbeaten at home.”
While Wakefield’s away game against Swinton Lions is very different from their home match against St Helens the same weekend previous year, they have found their groove again since dropping to the Championship.
Regardless of the level of competition, the opportunity to complete a treble after years in the wilderness is not to be sniffed at.
“I’ve never seen us win anything and there will be a lot of supporters of a similar age who have never seen that,” said Ellis.
“For us, the Championship has been an enjoyable experience. I believe I’ve risen to the challenge and, hopefully, have gained some friends in the process.
“Everyone has been treated with dignity by us. There are many excellent clubs in the rugby league system that could offer a lot, and I truly like the other owners in the Championship.
“I believe that some necessary changes will be made to the game. We need to get everyone excited again, and Wakefield’s entry into the Super League should help.”
Trinity’s announcement of their Super League comeback won’t come until late October, but their rebirth and goals set the standard early in the IMG era.
Ellis does not anticipate Wakefield to appear out of place in the upcoming season, not with a team that can compete at the highest level and a newly renovated stadium.
“We’ve done absolutely everything we could do in IMG terms except win the Grand Final,” he stated.
With big nights against Wigan, Leeds, St Helens, and Warrington, the club and the fans both need the Super League.
“With everything going on at the beginning of the year, I doubt I was prepared for it. There was a staff turnover shortly after a takeover, and we had a lot of work to do both on and off the pitch.
“I’m overjoyed that our supporters find our work appealing. We seem prepared for it now, in my opinion. Next year, we’ll be the underdog, but we’ll be the underdog with a purpose.”
With the addition of Tom Johnstone, Mike McMeeken, and Jake Trueman to his Belle Vue revolution, Ellis has shown his ambition. Oliver Russell, Cameron Scott, Corey Hall, and Matty Storton have also decided to join the team.
In addition to Gold Coast Titans back-rower Seth Nikotemo, Wakefield has also been linked to Warrington Wolves winger Matty Russell and in-form London Broncos full-back Josh Rourke. The club is hoping to find the next Ky Rodwell.
Ellis stated, “There are still a few to announce.”
“To strengthen the bonds between the new and the old, we’re heading to Tenerife for pre-season.
For Wakefield supporters, of which I am one, I believe there are some excellent, intriguing additions in there. If I were a fan right now, I would be thrilled.”
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