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{{short description|English professional rugby league football club}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox rugby league club
  | clubname               = Wakefield Trinity
  | image                  = [[File:Wakey new logo.png|150px]]
  | fullname               = Wakefield Trinity Rugby League Football Club
  | nickname               = The Dreadnoughts / Mighty Trin
  | short name             = Trinity
  | founded                = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1873}}
  | colours                = Red, white and blue
  | web                    = [https://wakefieldtrinity.com/ wakefieldtrinity.com]
  | ground                 = [[Belle Vue (Wakefield)|Belle Vue (The DIY Kitchens Stadium)]]
  | capacity               = 9,252
  | chairman               = Matt Ellis
  | chrtitle               = 
  | ceo                    = Craig Barrass
  | coach                  = [[Daryl Powell]]
  | captain                = [[Mike McMeeken]]
  | league                 = [[Super League]]
  | season                 = [[2025 Super League season|2025 Season]]
  | position               = 6th
  | current                = 2026 Super League season
  |cup1                    = [[Rugby Football League Championship|Championships]]
  | cup1titles             = 2
  |cup1years               = [[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|1967]], [[1967–68 Northern Rugby Football League season|1968]]
  |cup2                    = [[Challenge Cup]]s
  | cup2titles             = 5
  |cup2years               = [[1908–09 Northern Rugby Football Union season#Challenge Cup|1909]], [[1945–46 Northern Rugby Football League season#Challenge Cup|1946]], [[1959–60 Challenge Cup|1960]], [[1961–62 Challenge Cup|1962]], [[1962–63 Northern Rugby Football League season#Challenge Cup|1963]]
  |cup3                    = '''Other top-tier honours'''
  | cup3titles             = [[#Honours|18]]
  | cap                    = 619
  | mostcap                = [[Harry Wilkinson (rugby league)|Harry Wilkinson]]
  | points                 = 4,488
  | mostpoints             = [[Neil Fox (rugby league)|Neil Fox]]
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'''Wakefield Trinity '''is a professional [[rugby league]] club in [[Wakefield]], [[West Yorkshire]], England. The club play their home fixtures at the DIY Kitchen Stadium, [[Belle Vue (Wakefield)|Belle Vue]] and currently compete in the [[Super League]], the top tier of the [[British rugby league system]].

The club was one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the [[Rugby Football League|Northern Rugby Football Union]] in 1895. They have won the [[List of British rugby league champions|League Championship]] twice and [[Challenge Cup]] five times.

Wakefield have local rivalries with [[Castleford Tigers]] and [[Featherstone Rovers]] as well as [[Leeds Rhinos]]. Their traditional kit colours are white with a red or blue V. Between 1999 and 2016 the club was known as '''Wakefield Trinity Wildcats'''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/wakefield-wildcats/wakefield-wildcats-chairman-confirms-wildcats-name-to-be-dropped-1-7926880 |title=Chairman confirms Wildcats name to be dropped |last1=Smith |first1=Peter |date=24 May 2016 |work=[[Yorkshire Evening Post]] |access-date=22 September 2016 |quote=The Wildcats suffix, introduced when Wakefield Trinity joined Super League in 1999, will be dropped from the end of this season, chairman Michael Carter has confirmed.}}</ref>

==History==

===Early years===

The club's predecessor was The Young Mens Society, formed in 1867 by the Holy Trinity Church to promote sports, with the team itself formed in 1873 alongside a similarly named athletics club, Wakefield Trinity Cycling and Athletic Club (now Wakefield District Harriers and Athletics Club).<ref name=":0">{{cite book |last=Cunnane |first=Martin |title=Wakefield District Harriers and Athletic Club – The First 100 Years! |publisher=Yorkshire Sport Publications |year=1995 |isbn=0-9525200-0-1 |pages=1–8 }}</ref> Early matches were played at Heath Common (1873), Manor Field (1875–76) and Elm Street (1877) before the club moved to [[Belle Vue (Wakefield)|Belle Vue]] in 1879.

After the 1890–91 season, Wakefield along with other Yorkshire Senior clubs Batley, Bradford, Brighouse, Dewsbury, Halifax, Huddersfield, Hull, Hunslet, Leeds, Liversedge, Manningham decided that they wanted their own county league starting in 1891 along the lines of a similar competition that had been played in Lancashire. The clubs wanted full control of the league but the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union would not sanction the competition as it meant giving up control of rugby football to the senior clubs.

Prior to schism of 1895 which led to the formation of the Northern Rugby Union, Wakefield Trinity participated nine times in thirteen years in the final of the [[Yorkshire Cup (rugby union)|Yorkshire Cup]] (T'owd Tin Pot), a trophy that is nowadays contested solely by rugby union clubs.

They were one of the initial 22 clubs to form the [[Rugby Football League|Northern Union]] after the [[History of rugby league#The schism in Great Britain|acrimonious split]] from the [[Rugby Football Union]] in 1895.

[[Belle Vue (Wakefield)|Belle Vue]] was purchased in 1895, in order to provide a permanent base for Trinity. The money was provided by the Wakefield Trinity Cycling and Athletic Club and was also initially used for [[cycle sport|cycling]] and [[sport of athletics|athletics]] competitions. The athletic club split from the rugby club as a result of the [[History of rugby league#The schism in Great Britain|split from the Rugby Football Union]] and in 1896 formed a separate limited company to avoid accusations of professionalism, although they continued to use Belle Vue until the 1920s.<ref name=":0" />

Trinity won the Northern Union [[Challenge Cup]] for the first time in 1909, beating [[Hull F.C.]] 17–0 at [[Headingley Rugby Stadium|Headingley]]. The corresponding 1914 final saw the result reversed, with Hull winning 6–0.

[[Jonty Parkin]] signed for Wakefield Trinity as a 17-year-old in 1913. Wakefield closed for the 1915–16 season but recommenced playing in 1916 following the introduction of conscription which meant that would not be accused of keeping men from volunteering for the First World War.

In a quiet time for Trinity, they won only one Yorkshire Cup (in 1924–25 against [[Batley Bulldogs|Batley]]) but lost in the final four times.

Parkin decided he wanted to leave in 1930, at the age of thirty-four, and he was put on the transfer list at £100. [[Hull Kingston Rovers]] would not find the money; so Parkin paid the fee himself to secure his release. The game's bylaws were adjusted shortly afterwards, so that players could no longer do that.

On Saturday 27 October 1934, [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] and Wakefield Trinity met in the final of the Yorkshire Cup at [[Crown Flatt]], [[Dewsbury]]. The match ended in a 5–5 draw. Four days later the two clubs drew again, with Leeds eventually lifting the trophy after a second replay, the only occasion it took three attempts to settle a Yorkshire Cup Final. A total of 52,402 spectators watched the three games.<ref>http://www.totalrl.com/onthisday/index.php?feat_id=270 Leeds and Wakefield finish even{{dead link|date=April 2023}}</ref>

As of 2025, the [[1943–44 Northern Rugby Football League Wartime Emergency League season|1943–44 season]] is the only occasion that Wakefield Trinity have finished top of the league.

In 1947, Wakefield Trinity centre [[Frank Townsend (rugby league)|Frank Townsend]] was fatally injured in a match at [[Post Office Road]], [[Featherstone]].<ref>{{cite news
 | last =Baker
 | first =Andrew
 | title =100 years of rugby league: From the great divide to the Super era
 | newspaper = [[The Independent]]
 | date =20 August 1995
| url =https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/100-years-of-rugby-league-from-the-great-divide-to-the-super-era-1597130.html
 | access-date =25 September 2009
| location=London}}</ref>

===Post-war===

On Saturday, 3 November 1945, [[Bradford Bulls|Bradford Northern]] met Wakefield Trinity in the final of the Yorkshire Cup held at [[Thrum Hall]], [[Halifax, West Yorkshire|Halifax]]. Wakefield began the match as favourites, they had lost only one of thirteen matches thus far in the season. However, Bradford won 5–2 and lifted the Yorkshire Cup for the fourth time in six seasons. The first Wembley final after the war produced a return to winning ways as Trinity, with names such as [[James Croston|James "Jim" Croston]] and [[Billy Stott]], pipped Wigan to the Cup 13–12.

On Saturday 27 October 1951, 25,495 were at [[Fartown Ground|Fartown]], [[Huddersfield]] to see Wakefield Trinity defeat [[Keighley Cougars|Keighley]] 17–3 in the Yorkshire Cup Final. The club was not destined to return to [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] until 1960 and had to slake its thirst for silverware on two Yorkshire Cup and two Yorkshire League victories in the 1950s. Trinity featured in the first league match to be broadcast on British television, a clash with [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] at [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]] on 12 January 1952.

===1960s and 1970s===
Trinity were runners-up in the [[1959–60 Northern Rugby Football League season#Championship|league championship in 1959–60]], losing in the Championship Final against Wigan.

Wakefield Trinity beat [[Huddersfield Giants|Huddersfield]] 16–10 in the 1960 [[RFL Yorkshire Cup|Yorkshire]] [[Rugby league county cups|County Cup]] Final at [[Headingley Rugby Stadium|Headingley]], [[Leeds]] on 29 October 1960.<ref name="Hoole, Les 2004">Hoole, Les (2004). ''Wakefield Trinity RLFC – FIFTY GREAT GAMES''. Breedon Books. {{ISBN|1-85983-429-9}}</ref>

Wakefield returned to Wembley emphatically with a record 38–5 win v [[Hull F.C.]] under the guidance of coach [[Ken Traill]] and loose forward [[Derek Turner|Derek 'Rocky' Turner]].

Wakefield won their fourth  [[Challenge Cup]] victory in 1962, running out 12–6 winners against Huddersfield. Many of the scenes from the film ''[[This Sporting Life]]'' were filmed at the [[Belle Vue (Wakefield)|Belle Vue]] during Wakefield's third round Challenge Cup match against Wigan. The club were victorious in a dour 1962 Challenge Cup win over Huddersfield although the Fartowners went on to deny them the double a few days later in the Championship final at [[Odsal Stadium]], [[Bradford]]. Wakefield also won the Yorkshire Cup final of 1961–62 and the Yorkshire League of 1961–62.

Wakefield Trinity was invited to visit [[South Africa]] during June and July 1962. [[Neil Fox (rugby league)|Neil Fox]], [[Harold Poynton]], [[Gerry Round]], Derek Turner and [[Jack Wilkinson (rugby league)|Jack Wilkinson]], were unable to accompany the team on the six-match tour, as they were in [[Australia]] with the GB tourists. Wakefield Trinity's Chairman [[Stuart Hadfield]] was also touring with the national team as Great Britain manager. Trinity therefore added four South African players who were playing for British clubs at that time to their squad. They were [[Fred Griffiths (rugby league)|Fred Griffiths]] ([[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]]), [[Tom van Vollenhoven]] ([[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]), [[Wilf Rosenberg]] (Hull F.C.) and [[Edward Brophy (rugby league)|Edward "Ted" Brophy]] ([[Leigh Centurions|Leigh]]). Wakefield had three South Africans of their own in the squad in [[Alan Skene]], [[Jan Prinsloo]] and [[Colin Greenwood (rugby)|Colin Greenwood]], with the rest of the party made up of [[Fred Smith (rugby league born 1935)|Fred Smith]], [[Kenneth Hirst|Ken Hirst]], [[Kenneth Rollin|Ken Rollin]], [[Keith Holliday]], [[Dennis Williamson]], [[Milan Kosanović]], [[Geoffrey Oakes|Geoff Oakes]], [[Brian Briggs]], [[Albert Firth]] and [[Don Vines]]. They were winners of all six matches. The tour opened on Saturday 30 June 1962 at Milner Park, Johannesburg, where the local Johannesburg Celtic club were overpowered by 52–6.

Despite winning the Challenge Cup for a fifth time in 1963, Wakefield had still not been able to secure the league championship title. The Holy Grail would be achieved in the 1966–67 season when the experienced Harold Poynton led a powerful side, which included Neil Fox, [[Don Fox]], [[Gary Cooper (rugby league)|Gary Cooper]] and [[Ray Owen (rugby league)|Ray Owen]], to victory over St. Helens in a replay of the championship final. They repeated the title feat the following year against [[Hull Kingston Rovers]] but were again denied the double when Leeds defeated them in the 1968 'water splash' final at Wembley, a match played during a downpour that saturated the pitch. The game produced the most dramatic of finishes, when Man-of-the-Match, Don Fox had an under-the-posts conversion to win it for Wakefield, but "topped it" on the saturated turf and missed, to leave Leeds 11–10 winners.

Trinity were crowned Champions for the only time in successive seasons – 1966–67 and 1967–68. Wakefield Trinity beat St. Helens 21–9 in the 1967 [[Rugby Football League Championship]] Final at [[Station Road, Swinton]] on 10 May 1967, with scrum half Ray Owen winning the [[Harry Sunderland Trophy]]. The following season they retained their title in the 17–10 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1968 Championship Final at Headingley on 4 May 1968, this time with Gary Cooper taking home the man of the match award. Wakefield now wear two gold stars above the club crest to signify the two titles won.<ref name="Hoole, Les 2004"/>

Wakefield absorbed a number of different coaches at the helm in subsequent years but did not return to Wembley until [[William Kirkbride|William "Bill" Kirkbride]]'s talented charges fell 12–3 to [[Widnes Vikings|Widnes]] in 1979 in front of nearly 100,000 fans.

===1980s===
[[Bill Ashurst]] coached Wakefield Trinity while still playing during the 1981–82 season.

[[Derek Turner]] was Head Coach for Wakefield Trinity from July 1983 until February 1984. As of 2017, 11th in the Second Division during the [[1984–85 Rugby Football League season|1984–85 season]] is the lowest position that Wakefield Trinity have ever finished. In December 1985, Wakefield did a deal with the local council to enable them to continue at Belle Vue. Five council delegates joined Wakefield's board giving them the majority vote.

The ensuing decline was temporarily halted when [[Wally Lewis]] signed up for a brief spell with the club, playing as a {{rlp|so}}. But Trinity continued to fluctuate between the two divisions.

Former player [[David Topliss]] stabilised the Dreadnoughts' ship in 1987. He won immediate promotion in 1988 back to the First Division, retiring as a player after the final match of the campaign.<ref name="independent1">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/david-topliss-sparkling-rugby-international-849946.html |title=David Topliss: Sparkling rugby international – Obituaries, News |work=The Independent |date= 19 June 2008|access-date=27 March 2011 |location=London}}</ref> He remained at Wakefield purely as a coach and consolidated the club's top tier status by acquiring the services of seasoned internationals like [[Steve Ella]], new captain [[Mark Graham (rugby league)|Mark Graham]], [[Brian Jackson (rugby league)|Brian Jackson]] as well as now former Trinity coach [[Andy Kelly (rugby league)|Andy Kelly]] and later [[John Harbin]].

Wakefield escaped a threat of closure by forming their first ever board of directors in August 1991. Topliss stepped down as coach to concentrate on his business.<ref name="independent1"/> [[David Hobbs (rugby league)|David Hobbs]] joined Wakefield Trinity as coach in May 1994. He then went to [[Halifax R.L.F.C.|Halifax]] as Director of Football in January 1995.

===1996–1997: Summer era===
In 1996, the first tier of British rugby league clubs played the inaugural [[Super League]] season and changed from a winter to a summer season.<ref name="hadfield20-12-95">{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/rugbys-pounds-87m-deal-gives-murdoch-transfer-veto-1526582.html |work= The Independent |title=Rugby's pounds 87m deal gives Murdoch transfer veto |author=Dave Hadfield |date=20 December 1995 |access-date=6 May 2009 | location=London}}</ref> When the [[Rupert Murdoch]]-funded Super League competition had been proposed, part of the deal was that some traditional clubs would merge. Wakefield were down to merge with [[Castleford Tigers|Castleford]] and [[Featherstone Rovers]] to form a new club, ''Calder'', which would compete in the newly formed Super League. Although Wakefield voted to merge, the other clubs refused to do so; Wakefield finished below the cut-off point of 10th in the existing top flight and were excluded from the new Super League. As the sport in Britain entered a new era, it would be three years before Wakefield rose again to the top level of the game.

=== 1998–2005: Entry to Super League ===
Under coach [[Andy Kelly (rugby league)|Andy Kelly]], Wakefield earned their place in the top flight on the back of their controversial victory over Featherstone Rovers in the inaugural Division One Grand Final in 1998. Wakefield adopted the "Wildcats" nickname in 1998: the year they entered Super League, having won promotion from the [[Rugby Football League Championship Second Division|first division]].

Wakefield put together a startling series of results early in the 1999 season, beating some of the most fancied sides and ensuring early in the campaign that they would be safe. The club invested heavily in newcomers. Wakefield also played one of their televised home games at Barnsley F.C's Oakwell stadium against St. Helens.

[[John Harbin]] was the coach of Wakefield between October 2000 and October 2001, Wakefield's final game of the 2001 season was a relegation battle with [[Salford Red Devils|Salford]] with Wakefield condemning [[Huddersfield Giants|Huddersfield]] to relegation. He decided to leave the club at the end of 2001.

[[Peter Roe (rugby league)|Peter Roe]] was appointed Head Coach in November 2001.<ref name=RoeJoins>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/1633169.stm | work=BBC Sport | title=Roe joins Wildcats | date=1 November 2001 | access-date=27 May 2010}}</ref> After years of struggling to keep up with the Super League pace which saw Trinity finish next to bottom on most of their attempts they finally got around to making headway up the league. Peter Roe was sacked in July 2002 and was replaced by his assistant [[Shane McNally]].<ref name=RoeSacked>{{cite news| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/2131126.stm | work=BBC Sport | title=Roe: I was sacked | date=16 July 2002 | access-date=27 May 2010}}</ref> With [[Adrian Vowles]] as his co-coach the pair guided Trinity to their first-ever SL play-off position, finishing in 6th place.

In 2004, after a slow start to the season Trinity finished stronger than any other team in the competition giving their fans some hope of a little glory at the club which had been missing for too long. Away at the [[KC Stadium]] in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]], Trinity produced a remarkable performance and managed to beat Hull despite having two men [[penalty box|sin-binned]].

The semis saw a visit to Wigan and there was real hope in the camp that Wakefield would make the elimination final play off and all looked to be going that way when Trinity led 14–0 but some strange decisions went the way of the Wiganers so it wasn't yet to be but Wakefield fans will look back on these two games with fondness for many years. The away support was outstanding for both efforts.

[[Shane McNally]] was sacked in June 2005 after a disappointing start to the season. [[Tony Smith (rugby league b. 1970)|Tony Smith]] took over as caretaker coach from Shane McNally and led Trinity to survival in 2005 but following four straight defeats which saw Wakefield drop into the relegation zone Smith was sacked on Monday, 17 July 2006. Smith's last game in charge was a 26–20 defeat against Huddersfield, a match in which his side squandered a 20-point lead – one of several occasions that season Trinity where collapsed in the second half.

On 24 July 2006, Wakefield announced former [[Hull F.C.]] coach [[John Kear]] as Head Coach until the end of the season.

Trinity defeated their arch-rivals [[Castleford Tigers|Castleford]] by 29–17 at [[Belle Vue (Wakefield)|Belle Vue]] on Saturday 16 September 2006 to preserve their Super League status in an epic match which saw both teams leading for spells of the game. Had Wakefield not won the match they would have been relegated. Instead, their win, dubbed as the 'Battle of Belle Vue' sent Castleford down to the National League One. The match was attended by a sell out crowd of 11,000.

In November 2006 the Wakefield Metropolitan District Council set out plans for a new sporting village to be built at Thornes Park that would incorporate a new stadium to be used by Trinity, along with gymnastics and boxing facilities and swimming pools. The council published results of a feasibility study on 12 September 2008, into the project and which concluded that it is not feasible for a new stadium at Thornes Park.

That left Wakefield Trinity in a precarious position – [[Belle Vue (Wakefield)|Belle Vue]] is not suitable for the long-term future, and a new stadium is crucial to their Super League survival. In 2009 a new stadium in Stanley was proposed with planning permission expected to be applied for in October 2009. Planning permission was granted for the new ground in Newmarket, subject to section 106 agreements, and since this news the club yet again stalled in progress.

The 2009 season was Wakefield's best-ever Super League season with the club finishing 5th on 32 points and qualifying for a home tie in the end of season play-offs.

=== 2010–2015: Financial difficulties ===
[[File:Tetley's Festive Challenge (26th December 2014) 006.JPG|thumb|right|Wakefield Trinity playing [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] in a friendly in 2014.]]
2010 was a disappointment to the club, after losing Shane Tronc, Terry Newton and Danny Brough, and despite bringing in Danny Kirmond, Charlie Leaeno and Julien Rinaldi, they still finished in 10th position, five places lower than the 2009 season.

In February 2011, the club entered [[Administration (law)|administration]] to avoid a [[liquidation|winding up petition]] from [[HMRC]] over £300,000 in unpaid taxes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wakefield/9383611.stm |title=Wakefield Trinity Wildcats enter administration|work= BBC Sport |date=1 February 2011 |access-date=1 February 2011}}</ref>

Former Hull coach Richard Agar became Wakefield Trinity's head coach before the start of the 2012 Super League XVII season, on a three-year deal.<ref name="Engage Super League website">{{cite web|url=http://www.engagesuperleague.co.uk/article/wildcats-appoint-agar/23488|title=Wildcats appoint Agar|date=9 September 2011|access-date=19 September 2011}}</ref>

Agar was replaced by [[James Webster (rugby league)|James Webster]] after a poor run of form in June 2014.<ref name="Super League Website">{{cite web|url=http://www.superleague.co.uk/article/30356/agar-replaced-by-webster|title=Trinity Appoint Webster|date=2 June 2014}}</ref> Webster was sacked halfway into the 2015 season just before the Qualifiers started and was replaced by [[Brian Smith (rugby league, born 1954)|Brian Smith]]. They went on to win the inaugural [[Million Pound Game]] against [[Bradford Bulls]] to play another season in Super League. Smith resigned in March 2016.<ref name=BSResigns>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/35755957 | title=Brian Smith resigns as head coach | work=BBC Sport | date=8 March 2016 | access-date=9 March 2016}}</ref>

=== 2016–2023: Struggles and Relegation from the Super League===
[[Chris Chester (rugby league)|Chris Chester]] was appointed head coach 16 March 2016 and revitalised the squad. Compared to the previous season when the team were fighting for survival, Chester guided them to a top eight finish and a place in the [[Challenge Cup]] semi final, with Wakefield making the top eight for a second year in a row in 2017. In 2018, Wakefield finished 7th on the table at the end of the [[Super League XXIII]] season, finishing 5th at the end of the Super 8's.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nothingbutleague.com/2018/11/22/2018-season-review-wakefield-trinity/|title=2018 Season Review Wakefield Trinity|website=Nothingbutleague|access-date=4 March 2019}}</ref>

In the [[2019 Super League season]], the club finished ninth on the table,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/survival-specialists-wakefield-trinity-rlfc-2019-season-review-23277/|title=Wakefield Trinity RLFC 2019 Season Review|website=www.seriousaboutrl.com|date=15 October 2019 |accessdate=27 April 2021}}</ref> and in the [[COVID-19 pandemic in England|COVID-affected]] [[2020 Super League season]], the club finished second from bottom after a difficult campaign.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/wakefield-trinity-review-5-positives-2020-3080714/|title=Wakefield Trinity review – 5 positives from 2020|work=The Yorkshire Evening Post|access-date=27 April 2021}}</ref> In the [[2021 Super League season]], Wakefield Trinity finished 10th  and, towards the end of the season, sacked head coach [[Chris Chester (rugby league)|Chris Chester]], replacing him with [[Willie Poching]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12204/12415081/barrie-mcdermotts-2021-betfred-super-league-season-review/|title=Barrie McDermott's 2021 Betfred Super League season review|website=www.skysports.com}}</ref>

Wakefield endured a difficult 2022 Super League season with the club struggling near the foot of the table. Following the clubs [[Magic Weekend]] loss to [[Toulouse Olympique]], Wakefield found themselves in the relegation zone. However, the club won five of their remaining seven matches to avoid relegation and finish in 10th place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.superleague.co.uk/article/3103/2022-season-review-wakefield-trinity |title=2022 season review Wakefield Trinity|website=www.superleague.co.uk}}</ref> On 12 September 2022, head coach Willie Poching announced he was departing Wakefield Trinity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/12695794/super-league-willie-poching-departs-as-wakefield-trinity-head-coach/|title=Super League: Willie Poching departs as Wakefield Trinity head coach|website=www.skysports.com}}</ref>

Wakefield Trinity started the 2023 Super League season poorly losing their opening nine matches in a row. Wakefield also became the first side of the Super League era to be held scoreless in five games throughout a season after losing 32–0 to the [[Leigh Leopards]] in round 9.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/65261383|title=Super League: Wakefield Trinity 0–32 Leigh – Hosts hammered by Leopards for ninth straight defeat|website=BBC Sport|access-date=17 April 2023}}</ref> Wakefield recorded their first win of the campaign in Round 15, defeating Leeds 24-14.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/65822026|title=Super League: Wakefield 24-14 Leeds - Bottom club chalk up first win|work=BBC Sport }}</ref> In the second last round of the 2023 Super League season, Wakefield were officially relegated after losing 20-19 in golden point extra-time against Leigh, ending Wakefield's 24-year stay in the top flight.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/wakefield-trinity-contract-situation-relegation-27737402/|title=Wakefield Trinity's contract situation after relegation with core group tied down|website=www.examinerlive.co.uk|accessdate=21 September 2023}}</ref>

Following their relegation from Super League, Wakefield Trinity were taken over by local businessman Matt Ellis in September 2023. Ellis, owner of DIY Kitchens, purchased the club and its Belle Vue stadium, bringing an end to years of financial uncertainty and pledging significant investment in both the playing squad and facilities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/66901499|title=Wakefield Trinity: Matt Ellis completes takeover of relegated Super League club|website=BBC Sport|date=25 September 2023|access-date=19 October 2025}}</ref> Soon after completing the takeover, Ellis appointed former [[Castleford Tigers]] and [[Warrington Wolves]] coach Daryl Powell as head coach on a four-year deal, tasking him with leading a comprehensive rebuild of the club on and off the field.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wakefieldtrinity.com/daryl-powell-appointed-head-coach/|title=Daryl Powell appointed Head Coach|website=wakefieldtrinity.com|date=24 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/daryl-powell-breaks-silence-on-wakefield-trinity-appointment-84152/|title=Daryl Powell breaks silence on Wakefield Trinity appointment|website=seriousaboutrl.com|date=10 October 2023}}</ref> Their partnership was viewed as a turning point for Wakefield Trinity, signalling a new era of ambition and stability for the club.

=== 2023–present: The Matt Ellis Era===

In 2024, Wakefield Trinity performed well in their return to the [[RFL Championship|RFL Championship]]. Under Powell’s leadership, the team went on to win the [[RFL 1895 Cup|1895 Cup]] and finish top of the Championship, losing only one match throughout the regular season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wakefield-trinity-quota-situation-explained-as-overseas-star-gains-unique-exemption/|title=Wakefield Trinity quota situation|website=loverugbyleague.com|date=25 September 2024}}</ref> They then reached the Championship Grand Final against [[Toulouse Olympique]], winning 36–0 to claim the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cqjr5lvxk4lo|title=Jowitt breaks points record as Wakefield cruise to Grand Final win|website=bbc.co.uk}}</ref> On 24 October 2024, Wakefield Trinity were promoted back to the [[Super League]] through the [[IMG Grading for the British Rugby Football League|IMG Grading]] system, receiving an '''A rating''' and replacing the [[London Broncos]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12204/13238317/super-league-wakefield-trinity-return-for-2025-season-under-imgs-grading-criteria-with-london-broncos-in-championship/|title=Super League: Wakefield Trinity return for 2025 season under IMG's grading criteria with London Broncos in Championship|website=skysports.com}}</ref>

In the 2025 [[Super League]] season, their first back in the [[Betfred Super League]], Wakefield Trinity finished sixth, qualifying for the playoffs — their first in 13 years — before being defeated by [[Leigh Leopards|Leigh]] in the eliminator. They became one of the few clubs to achieve promotion and then reach the playoffs immediately.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/rugby-league-news-what-next-for-wakefield-trinity-after-incredible-super-league-return-ends-in-play-off-loss-108937/|title=What next for Wakefield Trinity after incredible Super League return ends in play-off loss|website=seriousaboutrl.com}}</ref> The club maintained their '''A rating''' for the 2026 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/img-2026-grades-wakefield-maintain-a-rating/|title=IMG 2026 grades: Wakefield maintain A rating|website=loverugbyleague.com|date=October 2025}}</ref>

==Crest and colours==
===Crest===
[[File:Wakefield Trinity Wildcats badge.png|thumb|right|Old crest]]
Every crest up until 1999 focused on the [[fleur-de-lys]] present on the [[Coat of arms of Wakefield#Arms of the County Borough Council|Wakefield County Borough coat of arms]]. When the club was rebranded the Wildcats the fleur-de-lys was dropped although the club was still called Wakefield '''Trinity''' Wildcats. the new crest was the [[wildcat]] with Wildcats predominantly showing. In 2012 the crest was tweaked to contain the club's full name and the fleur-de-lys symbol. The Wildcats name was still used, but from 2015 the fleur-de-lys featured inside a shield with two stars above it for the two Championship titles they have won.  In 2017 the Club reverted to the name Wakefield Trinity and the club badge has been returned to a white fleur-de-Lys in a blue shield with the founding date of 1873 proudly displayed.

===Colours===
[[File:Wakefield Trinity shop, Ridings Centre, Wakefield, West Yorkshire (8th December 2020).jpg|thumb|right|Club shop in the [[The Ridings Centre|Ridings Centre]]]]
Wakefield Trinity's colours are red, white and blue. Traditionally most of their kits are predominantly white with a red and blue V or a blue and red hoop although some kits have been predominantly blue or red.

==Kit sponsors and manufacturers==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! Year !!Kit Manufacturer!!Main Shirt Sponsor
|-
| 1968–1980 || rowspan="3" |[[Adidas]] ||| ''none''
|-
| 1980–1993 || [[British Coal]]
|-
| 1993–1995 || rowspan="2" |[[McEwans | McEwans Lager]]
|-
| 1995–1997 || rowspan="2" |[[Le Coq Sportif]]
|-
| 1998–1999 || [[White Rose Shopping Centre|White Rose]]
|-
| 2000–2004 || [[Avec]] || rowspan=2|[[Sainsbury's]]
|-
| 2005 || [[International Sports Clothing|ISC]]
|-
| 2006 || rowspan=2|[[Errea]] || Atlantic Solutions
|-
| 2007 || rowspan=5|Eric France
|-
| 2008–2009 || Kooga
|-
| 2010 || Prostar
|-
| 2011 || [[Macron (sportswear)|Macron]]
|-
| 2012–2013 || Fi-Ta
|-
| 2014 || rowspan=3|Macron || C&D Cleaning Services<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/wakefield-find-new-main-sponsor-following-eric-france-demise |title=Wakefield find new main sponsor following Eric France demise |publisher=Love Rugby League |date=7 March 2013 |access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|2015||Plumbcare<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/news/2014/11/announcing-the-wildcats-principal-sponsor-for-the-2015-season-plumbcarecom |title=Announcing the Wildcats principal sponsor for the 2015 season: Plumbcare.com |publisher=Wakefield Trinity Wildcats |date=7 November 2014 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225193937/http://www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk/news/2014/11/announcing-the-wildcats-principal-sponsor-for-the-2015-season-plumbcarecom |archive-date=25 December 2014}}</ref>
|-
| 2016 || rowspan=2|Backstage Academy
|-
| 2017 || rowspan=3|ISC<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk:80/news/2016/09/trinity-to-partner-with-isc |title=Trinity to partner with ISC |publisher=Wakefield Trinity Wildcats |date=6 September 2016 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116030013/http://www.wakefieldwildcats.co.uk:80/news/2016/09/trinity-to-partner-with-isc |archive-date=16 November 2016}}</ref>
|-
|2018 || One World Travel Group
|-
|2019–2020|| rowspan="3" |[[ASUS]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wakefieldtrinity.com/asus-renew-for-2020/ |title=ASUS Renew for 2020! |publisher=Wakefield Trinity |date=23 July 2019 |access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|2021–2022|| [[Hummel International|Hummel]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hummel-to-become-wakefield-trinitys-new-kit-supplier-3032875 |title=Hummel to become Wakefield Trinity's new kit supplier |newspaper=Wakefield Express |date=11 November 2020 |access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|2023 || rowspan="2"| Ellgren<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/wakefield-trinity-reveal-stunning-new-home-kit-to-celebrate-150th-anniversary-61290/ |title=Wakefield Trinity reveal stunning new home kit to celebrate 150th anniversary |publisher=Serious About Rugby League |date=28 October 2022 |access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>
|-
|2024 || DIY Kitchens<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/wakefield-trinity-launch-incredible-2024-shirt-to-launch-clubs-new-era-84651/ |title=Wakefield Trinity launch 2024 shirt to launch club's new era |publisher=Serious About Rugby League |date=4 November 2023 |access-date=21 November 2023}}</ref>
|}

==Rivalries==
Wakefield Trinity's main rivals are [[Castleford Tigers|Castleford]] who they play in the Calder Derby. The stadiums are only 8 miles apart. Each year Wakefield and Castleford compete for the Adam Watene trophy, named after a much-loved player who played for both teams but was taken tragically too soon. They also have another local rivalry with [[Featherstone Rovers]] although this is considered a lesser rival in recent years as they play in different leagues. Both Wakefield and Castleford have both been more successful than Featherstone Rovers in recent years.

There is a historic rivalry with [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] as both were successful in the 60s and 70s and competed in some major games, the most famous being the 1968 Challenge Cup final where Leeds won in controversial fashion. Wakefield has other West Yorkshire rivalries with [[Huddersfield Giants|Huddersfield]] and [[Bradford Bulls|Bradford]].

==Stadium==
===Belle Vue===
{{main|Belle Vue (Wakefield)}}
The site was purchased in 1895 after the split between [[rugby league]] and [[rugby union]], to provide a permanent base for Wakefield Trinity who had been playing on fields in the area since 1873. Money was provided by the Wakefield Athletic Club, and the ground was also used for [[cycle sport|cycling]] and [[sport of athletics|athletics]] competitions.

Floodlights were installed in 1967 and were upgraded in 1990/91.

On Saturday 16 September 2006, the stadium played host to 'The Battle of Belle Vue' when 11,000 fans from Trinity and [[Castleford Tigers|Castleford]] watched the match which would decide who was relegated from [[Super League]]. Wakefield won the match 29–17 sending their nearest rivals Castleford down to the National League.

The capacity of the stadium was increased to 12,600 in 2008, to help with the application for a 2009 Super League licence, which was granted in July 2008.

In June 2015, it was announced Wakefield Trinity would leave Belle Vue at the end of the season as they could not afford to stay. Before the end of the season it was announced Belle Vue was up for sale and was sold in 2016. Although the new owners expressed interest in redeveloping the stadium, no progress was made. There were worries that the leaseholder of the car park would at some point bar access to the ground.

At this point, the freehold to the ground was purchased with the help of a loan from the local council. Theoretical plans to build a stadium elsewhere again stalled around the time of Covid; the club focused on the overdue redevelopment of Belle Vue at this point, leading to the Neil Fox MBE stand being opened in 2024.

==2026 squad==
{{Wakefield Trinity current squad}}

==2026 transfers==
<!-- when adding players please update the corresponding club/player articles and add references -->

===Gains===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player !! Club !! Contract !! Date
|-
|{{rlicon|AUS}} [[Tyson Smoothy]]
| {{Leagueicon|Brisbane Broncos|12}} [[Brisbane Broncos]]
| 3 years
|February 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|England}} [[Neil Tchamambe]]
| {{Leagueicon|Hull Kingston|12}} [[Hull Kingston Rovers|Hull KR]]
| 2 years
|March 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|Samoa}} [[Jazz Tevaga]]
| {{Leagueicon|Manly Sea Eagles|12}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]]
| 2 years
|July 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|NZ}} [[Tray Lolesio]]
| {{Leagueicon|Redcliffe Dolphins|12}} [[Redcliffe Dolphins]]
| 2 years
|July 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|England}} [[Jordan Williams (rugby league)|Jordan Williams]]
| {{Leagueicon|Featherstone Rovers|12}} [[Featherstone Rovers]]
| 2 years
|August 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|England}} [[Kian McGann]]
| {{Leagueicon|St Helens|12}} [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]]
| 2 years
|September 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|England}} [[Will Tate]]
| {{Leagueicon|Castleford Tigers|12}} [[Castleford Tigers]]
| 1 year
|October 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|England}} [[Jack Sinfield]]
| {{Leagueicon|Leeds Rhinos|12}} [[Leeds Rhinos]]
| 3 years
|October 2025
|-
|}

===Losses===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player !! Club !! Contract !! Date
|-
|{{rlicon|ENG}} [[Josh Griffin]]
| {{Leagueicon|York RLFC|12}} [[York Knights]]
| 1 year
| August 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|SCO}} [[Matty Russell]]
| 
| 
| Rowspan=2| September 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|NZ}} [[Renouf Atoni]]
| Rowspan=2| {{Leagueicon|Castleford Tigers|12}} [[Castleford Tigers]]
| 2 years
|-
|{{rlicon|Scotland}} [[Liam Hood]]
| 1 year
| Rowspan=2| October 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|FRA}} [[Mathieu Cozza]]
| Rowspan=2| {{Leagueicon|Huddersfields Giants|12}} [[Huddersfield Giants]]
| Rowspan=2| 1 year
|-
|{{rlicon|ENG}} [[Oliver Russell|Olly Russell]]
| Rowspan=2| November 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|ENG}} [[Jack Croft]]
| {{Leagueicon|London Broncos|12}} [[London Broncos]]
| 
|-
|}

===Loans Out===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Player !! Club !! Contract !! Date
|-
|{{rlicon|ENG}} [[Neil Tchamambe]]
| {{Leagueicon|London Broncos|12}} [[London Broncos]]
|Rowspan=2| Loan until end of season
| October 2025
|-
|{{rlicon|ENG}} [[Myles Lawford]]
| {{Leagueicon|Halifax|12}} [[Halifax Panthers]]
| November 2025
|}

==Players==

===Harry Sunderland Trophy winners===
The [[Harry Sunderland Trophy]] is awarded to the Man-of-the-Match in the [[Super League Grand Final]] by the [[Rugby League Writers' Association]].
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Season !! Recipient
|-
|[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|1966–67]]
|[[Ray Owen (rugby league)|Ray Owen]]
|-
|[[1967–68 Northern Rugby Football League season|1967]] [[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]68
|[[Gary Cooper (rugby league)|Gary Cooper]]
|}

===Golden Greats (1945–91)===
The "Golden Greats" side was named on 21 March 1992.<ref>''Wakefield Trinity RLFC v Leeds'' Souvenir Mayor's Charities Edition, Monday 1 April 1991</ref>
#[[Gerry Round]]
#[[Fred Smith (rugby league born 1935)|Fred Smith]]
#[[Alan Skene]]
#[[Neil Fox (rugby league)|Neil Fox]]
#[[Gert Coetzer]]
#[[Harold Poynton]]
#[[Keith Holliday]]
#[[Jack Wilkinson (rugby league)|Jack Wilkinson]]
#[[Len Marson]]
#[[Don Vines]]
#[[Mick Exley]]
#[[Bob Haigh]]
#[[Derek Turner]]

==Coaches==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
!width=35%|Name
!!width=35%|Contract Started
!!width=35%|Contract Ended
|-
|align=center|[[James Croston|Jim Croston]]
|align=center|1946 +/-
|align=center|1946 +/-
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Harry Beverley (rugby league, born 1907)|Harry Beverley]]
|align=center|{{circa|1951}}
|align=center|{{circa|1951}}
|-
|align=center|[[John Malpass]]
|align=center|{{circa|1950s}}
|align=center|{{circa|1950s}}
|-
|align=center|[[Ken Traill]]
|align=center|1958
|align=center|1970
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Neil Fox (rugby league)|Neil Fox]]
|align=center|May 1970
|align=center|March 1974
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Fox (rugby league, born 1933)|Peter Fox]]
|align=center|June 1974
|align=center|May 1976
|-
|align=center|[[Geoff Gunney]] [[Order of the British Empire|MBE]]
|align=center|June 1976
|align=center|November 1976
|-
|align=center|[[Brian Lockwood]]
|align=center|November 1976
|align=center|January 1978
|-
|align=center|[[Ian Brooke]]
|align=center|January 1978
|align=center|January 1979
|-
|align=center|[[William Kirkbride]]
|align=center|January 1979
|align=center|April 1980
|-
|align=center|[[Bill Ashurst]]
|align=center|June 1981
|align=center|April 1982
|-
|align=center|[[Ray Batten]]
|align=center|May 1982
|align=center|July 1983
|-
|align=center|[[Derek Turner]]
|align=center|July 1983
|align=center|February 1984
|-
|align=center|[[Geoffrey Wraith]]
|align=center|February 1984
|align=center|May 1984
|-
|align=center|[[David Lamming]]
|align=center|October 1984
|align=center|April 1985
|-
|align=center|[[Len Casey]]
|align=center|April 1985
|align=center|June 1986
|-
|align=center|[[Tony Dean (rugby league)|Tony Dean]]
|align=center|June 1986
|align=center|December 1986
|-
|align=center|[[Trevor Bailey (rugby league)|Trevor Bailey]]
|align=center|December 1986
|align=center|April 1987
|-
|align=center|[[David Topliss]]
|align=center|May 1987
|align=center|April 1994
|-
|align=center|[[David Hobbs (rugby league)|David Hobbs]]
|align=center|May 1994
|align=center|January 1995
|-
|align=center|[[Paul Harkin]]
|align=center|January 1995
|align=center|January 1996
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Mitch Brennan]]
|align=center|January 1996
|align=center|June 1997
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Andy Kelly (rugby league)|Andy Kelly]]
|align=center|June 1997
|align=center|May 2000
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Tony Kemp (rugby league)|Tony Kemp]]
|align=center|May 2000
|align=center|October 2000
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[John Harbin]]
|align=center|October 2000
|align=center|October 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/1614383.stm |title=Wakefield coach resigns |work=BBC Sport |date=22 October 2001 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Peter Roe (rugby league)|Peter Roe]]
|align=center|November 2001<ref name=RoeJoins/>
|align=center|July 2002<ref name=RoeSacked/>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Shane McNally]] & {{flagicon|AUS}} [[Adrian Vowles]]
|align=center|August 2002<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/2166309.stm |title=Wildcats turn to Vowles |work=BBC Sport |date=1 August 2002 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|align=center|August 2003<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/super_league/3185479.stm |title=Wakefield release trio |work=BBC Sport |date=28 August 2003 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Shane McNally]]
|align=center|September 2003
|align=center|June 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wakefield/4118904.stm |title=Struggling Wakefield sack McNally |work=BBC Sport |date=22 June 2005 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Tony Smith (rugby league b. 1970)|Tony Smith]]
|align=center|June 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wakefield/4139378.stm |title=Smith is new Wakefield head coach |work=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2005 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|align=center|July 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wakefield/5188042.stm |title=Wakefield split with coach Smith |work=BBC Sport |date=17 July 2006 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[John Kear]]
|align=center|July 2006<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/super_league/wakefield/5209446.stm |title=Kear takes over as Wakefield boss |work=BBC Sport |date=24 July 2006 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|align=center|September 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/14354122 |title=John Kear to leave as Wakefield Trinity Wildcats coach |work=BBC Sport |date=30 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126005947/https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/14354122 |archive-date=26 January 2021}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Richard Agar]]
|align=center|September 2011<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/14855723 |title=Wakefield Wildcats appoint Hull FC's Richard Agar |work=BBC Sport |date=9 September 2011 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|align=center| June 2014<ref name=AgarWebster>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/27666665 |title=Richard Agar replaced by James Webster at Wakefield |work=BBC Sport |date=2 June 2014 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[James Webster (rugby league)|James Webster]]
|align=center|June 2014<ref name=AgarWebster/>
|align=center|May 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/32795591 |title=James Webster: Wakefield Trinity Wildcats part company with coach |work=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2015 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Brian Smith (rugby league, born 1954)|Brian Smith]]
|align=center|June 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/32953047 |title=Brian Smith: Wakefield appoint ex-Hull FC & Bradford coach |work=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2015 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|align=center|March 2016<ref name=BSResigns/>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Chris Chester (rugby league)|Chris Chester]]
|align=center|March 2016<ref name=Chester>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/58161635 |title=Chris Chester: Wakefield Trinity part company with head coach |work=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2021 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|align=center|August 2021<ref name=Chester/>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|New Zealand}} [[Willie Poching]]
|align=center|August 2021<ref name=Chester/>
|align=center|September 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/62871773 |title=Willie Poching: Wakefield Trinity part company with head coach |work=BBC Sport |date=12 September 2022 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|England}} [[Mark Applegarth]]
|align=center|September 2022<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/62901286 |title=Mark Applegarth: Wakefield Trinity appoint new head coach |work=BBC Sport |date=14 September 2022 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|align=center|October 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/67192255 |title=Mark Applegarth: Wakefield Trinity head coach leaves club with immediate effect |work=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|-
|align=center|{{flagicon|England}} [[Daryl Powell]]
|align=center|October 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wakefieldtrinity.com/takeover-announcement/ |title=Takeover Announcement |website=Wakefield Trinity |date=23 October 2023 |access-date=23 October 2023}}</ref>
|align=center|
|}

==Seasons==
===League history===
{|
|-
|valign="top"|
*1895[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]1902: [[Rugby Football League Championship|Division 1]]
*1902[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]1904: [[Rugby Football League Championship Second Division|Division 2]]
*1904[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]1982: [[Rugby Football League Championship|Division 1]]
*1982[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]1983: [[Rugby Football League Championship Second Division|Division 2]]
*1983[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]1986: [[Rugby Football League Championship|Division 1]]
*1986[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]1987: [[Rugby Football League Championship Second Division|Division 2]]
*1987[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]1995: [[Rugby Football League Championship|Division 1]]
*1995[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]1998: [[Rugby Football League Championship Second Division|Division 2]]
*1999[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]2023: [[Super League]]
*2024: Championship
*2025–present: Super League
|}

===Super League era===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|-
!rowspan="2" scope="col"|Season
!colspan="9" scope="col"|League
!rowspan="2" scope="col"|[[Super League play-offs|Play-offs]]
!rowspan="2" scope="col"|[[Challenge Cup]]
!colspan="2" rowspan="2" scope="col"|Other competitions
!scope="col"|Name
!scope="col"|Tries
!scope="col"|Name
!scope="col"|Points
|-
!scope="col"|Division
!scope="col"|P
!scope="col"|W
!scope="col"|D
!scope="col"|L
!scope="col"|F
!scope="col"|A
!scope="col"|Pts{{efn|Win percentage for [[Super League XXV|2020]] and [[Super League XXVI|2021]]}}
!scope="col"|Pos
!colspan="2" scope="col"|Top try scorer
!colspan="2" scope="col"|Top point scorer
|-
!scope="row"|[[1996 Wakefield Trinity season|1996]]
|[[1996 RFL Division One|Division One]]
|20||10||1||9||485||455||21
|6th
|
|QF
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[1997 Wakefield Trinity season|1997]]
|[[1997 RFL Division One|Division One]]
|20||9||1||10||393||419||19
|5th
|
|R5
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[1998 Wakefield Trinity season|1998]]
|[[1998 RFL Division One|Division One]]
|30||22||1||7||790||506||45
|style="background:#ddffdd;"|1st
|
|R4
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[1999 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|1999]]
|[[Super League IV|Super League]]
|30||10||0||20||608||795||20
|11th
|
|R5
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2000 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2000]]
|[[Super League V|Super League]]
|28||8||0||20||557||771||16
|10th
|
|R5
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2001 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2001]]
|[[Super League VI|Super League]]
|28||8||0||20||529||817||14
|11th
|
|QF
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2002 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2002]]
|[[Super League VII|Super League]]
|28||5||2||21||566||899||12
|11th
|
|QF
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2003 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2003]]
|[[Super League VIII|Super League]]
|28||7||1||20||505||774||15
|11th
|
|R5
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2004 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2004]]
|[[Super League IX|Super League]]
|28||15||0||13||788||662||30
|6th
|Lost in Semi Final
|QF
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2005 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2005]]
|[[Super League X|Super League]]
|28||10||0||18||716||997||20
|10th
|
|R4
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2006 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2006]]
|[[Super League XI|Super League]]
|28||10||0||18||591||717||20
|10th
|
|R4
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2007 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2007]]
|[[Super League XII|Super League]]
|27||11||1||15||596||714||23
|8th
|
|R5
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2008 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2008]]
|[[Super League XIII|Super League]]
|27||11||0||16||574||760||22
|8th
|
|SF
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2009 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2009]]
|[[Super League XIV|Super League]]
|27||16||0||11||685||609||32
|5th
|Lost in Elimination Playoffs
|R5
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2010 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2010]]
|[[Super League XV|Super League]]
|27||9||0||18||539||741||18
|11th
|
|R4
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2011 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2011]]
|[[Super League XVI|Super League]]
|27||7||0||20||453||957||10
|13th
|
|R4
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2012 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2012]]
|[[Super League XVII|Super League]]
|27||13||0||14||633||764||26
|8th
|Lost in Elimination Playoffs
|R4
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2013 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2013]]
|[[Super League XVIII|Super League]]
|7||10||1||16||660||749||21
|11th
|
|R5
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2014 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2014]]
|[[Super League XIX|Super League]]
|27||10||1||16||557||750||21
|12th
|
|R4
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="2"|[[2015 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2015]]
|[[Super League XX|Super League]]
|23||3||0||20||402||929||6
|12th
|rowspan="2"|Won in Million Pound Game
|rowspan="2"|R6
|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2"|
|-
|The Qualifiers
|7||3||0||4||153||170||6
|4th
|-
!scope="row" |[[2016 Wakefield Trinity Wildcats season|2016]]
|[[Super League XXI|Super League]]
|30||10||0||20||571||902||20
|8th
|
|SF
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row" |[[2017 Wakefield Trinity season|2017]]
|[[Super League XXII|Super League]]
|30||16||0||14||714||679||32
|5th
|
|QF
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row" |[[2018 Wakefield Trinity season|2018]]
|[[Super League XXIII|Super League]]
|30||13||1||16||747||696||27
|5th
|
|R6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2019 Wakefield Trinity season|2019]]
|[[Super League XXIV|Super League]]
|29||11||0||18||608||723||22
|9th
|
|QF
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2020 Wakefield Trinity season|2020]]
|[[Super League XXV|Super League]]
|19||5||0||13||324||503||64.4
|10th
|
|R6
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2021 Wakefield Trinity season|2021]]
|[[Super League XXVI|Super League]]
|24||9||0||15||482||548||37.50
|10th
|
|R6{{efn|Officially round 3 due to the competitions temporary restructure in 2021.}}
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2022 Wakefield Trinity season|2022]]
|[[Super League XXVII|Super League]]
|27||10||0||17||497||648||20
|10th
|
|QF
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2023 Wakefield Trinity season|2023]]
|[[Super League XXVIII|Super League]]
|27||4||0||23||303||742||8
|style="background:#ffdddd;"|12th
|
|R6
| ||
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2024 Wakefield Trinity season|2024]]
|[[2024 RFL Championship|Championship]]
|26||25||0||1||1010||262||50
|style="background:#ddffdd;"|'''1st'''
|'''Won in [[Championship Grand Final|Grand Final]]'''
|R5
|[[RFL 1895 Cup|1895 Cup]] ||style="background-color:#FE2"|'''W'''
|
|
|
|
|-
!scope="row"|[[2025 Wakefield Trinity season|2025]]
|[[2025 Super League season|Super League]]
|27||15||0||12||688||458||30
|6th
|Lost in Elimination Playoffs
|QF
| ||
|
|
|
|
|}

==Honours==
===League===
*[[Rugby Football League Championship|Division 1 / Super League]]:
::'''Winners (2)''': 1966[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]67, 1967[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]68
::'''Runners up (2)''':  1959[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]60,  1961[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]62

*[[Rugby Football League Championship Second Division|Division 2 / Championship]]:
::'''Winners (3)''': 1903[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]04, 1998, 2024
::'''Runners up (1)''':  1982[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]83
:[[RFL Championship Leaders' Shield]]
::'''Winners (1)''': 2024

*[[RFL Yorkshire League]]:
::'''Winners (7)''': 1909–10, 1910–11, 1945–46, 1958–59, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1965–66

===Cups===
*[[Challenge Cup]]:
::'''Winners (5)''': 1908[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]09, 1945[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]46, 1959[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]60, 1961[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]62, 1962[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]63
::'''Runners up (3)''': 1913[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]14, 1967[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]68, 1978[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]79

*[[RFL 1895 Cup]]:
::'''Winners (1)''': 2024

*[[RFL Yorkshire Cup]]:
::'''Winners (10)''':1910–11, 1924–25, 1946–47, 1947–48, 1951–52, 1956–57, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1964–65, 1992–93
::'''Runners up (10)''': 1926[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]27, 1932[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]33, 1934[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]35, 1936[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]37, 1939[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]40, 1945[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]46, 1958[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]59, 1973[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]74, 1974[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]75, 1990[[1966–67 Northern Rugby Football League season|–]]91

*[[Yorkshire Cup (rugby union)|Pre-schism Yorkshire Cup]]:
::'''Winners (4)''': 1879, 1880, 1883, 1887

==Records==
===Club records===
*Biggest win:
::110-0 v. [[Newcastle Thunder]] (at [[Post Office Road]], 2024, [[RFL 1895 Cup]])<ref name=Thunder110>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68331592 |title=1895 Cup: Newcastle Thunder 0-110 Wakefield Trinity - visitors break records to reach quarter-finals |work=BBC Sport |date=18 February 2024 |access-date=19 February 2024}}</ref>

*Highest all-time attendance:
::28,254 ''v.'' {{leagueicon|wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] (at [[Belle Vue (Wakefield)|Belle Vue]], 1962)
*Highest Super League attendance:
::11,000 ''v.'' {{leagueicon|castleford|16}} [[Castleford Tigers|Castleford]] (at [[Belle Vue (Wakefield)|Belle Vue]], 2006)

===Player records===

*Most tries in a match: 7 by [[Fred Smith (rugby league born 1935)|Fred Smith]] vs [[Keighley Cougars|Keighley]], 1959 & [[Keith Slater (rugby league)|Keith Slater]] vs [[Hunslet R.L.F.C.|Hunslet]], 1971
*Most goals in a match: 13 by [[Mark Conway]] vs [[Liverpool Stanley#Highfield – 1991–1996|Highfield RLFC]], 1992–93 & [[Mason Lino]] vs Newcastle Thunder, 2024<ref name=Thunder110/>
*Most points in a match: 38 by [[Mason Lino]] vs [[Newcastle Thunder]], 2024<ref name=Thunder110/>
*Most tries in a season: 38 by [[Fred Smith (rugby league born 1935)|Fred Smith]] 1961–62, [[David Smith (1970s rugby league)|David Smith]] 1973–74
*Most goals in a season: 198 by [[Max Jowitt]], 2024
*Most points in a season: 500 by [[Max Jowitt]], 2024. (26 tries and 198 goals)

==See also==
*[[List of Wakefield Trinity players]]
*[[Wakefield Trinity Ladies]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==

;General
*[http://www.yorkshirerugbyleague.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=2314&ArticleID=1102131 Wildcats: history and facts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080608221851/http://www.yorkshirerugbyleague.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=2314&ArticleID=1102131 |date=8 June 2008 }}

;Inline
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Wakefield Trinity Wildcats}}
*[https://wakefieldtrinity.com/ Official Website]
*[https://forums.rlfans.com/viewforum.php?f=33 Wakefield RLFans Forum]
{{Wakefield Trinity Wildcats}}
{{Super League Europe}}
{{West Yorkshire Sports Teams}}
{{NRFL}}
{{Wakefield, West Yorkshire}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wakefield Trinity}}
[[Category:Wakefield Trinity| ]]
[[Category:Rugby clubs established in 1873]]
[[Category:Super League teams]]
[[Category:1873 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Founder members of the Northern Rugby Football Union]]
[[Category:Wakefield]]
[[Category:Companies that have entered administration in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Rugby league teams in England]]