The Early Days
The Early Days of Wakefield Trinity
Now and again we find items which are decidedly helpful to the chronicler. Particularly with regards to fixtures. TrinityÕs standing rapidly became so high as to ensure for them a wide choice of opponents. It seems evident that the many local clubs could not all be entertained in any one season, but that a satisfactory accommodation was made by arrangements with some in one season and others in another. This system even appears to have been used in cases where engagements must have appeared very evidently acceptable, for changes were made from time to time in the list of outstanding teams to be met.
As an example, the season 1881-2 brings us first mention of a game with the Horbury Club. Cambridge University were also met. Then, on May 12th 1884, we note a proposal by T.O. Bennett, seconded by E. J. Spink, and agreed, "That next season we play Cardiff, Newport and Swansea."
About that time, two other local clubs mentioned in the records are Belle Vue and Stanley. A little later we find reference to Wakefield Albion, Wakefield St. Austins and Thornes. One season brought fixtures with Blackheath and United Hospitals in the South and with the chief clubs in South Wales alongside such northern engagements as:
Bradford, Halifax, Swinton, Batley, Dewsbury, Manningham, Leeds St. Johns, Leeds parish church, Broughton Rangers, Hartlepool rovers, Warrington, Castleford, Manchester, Hull, Brighouse Rangers.
GOOD REPUTE
There was clearly a determination that, on and off the field, and in the club headquarters, the high standards of behaviour associated with a sporting fraternity and with a Young Men's Society such as that from which Trinity sprang should be preserved. The club's reputation for good football and estimable conduct soon spread, so that Trinity not only became established as Wakefield's premier club but also earned regard far and wide.
By none more than those in closest connection with the club were this good name valued, to be safe-guarded and not lightly impugned. If it were inevitable that, at some time, there must be a happening to interrupt the smooth and happy course, it is clear that this would be regarded as a challenge promptly and met. Over those years just once do we find a club refusing an arrangement of fixtures with Trinity. The reason for this does not appear, but the reaction of the Trinity Committee of the day was immediate and considerable.
They evidently believed that the best antidote to rumour is the truth, even if it be painful. They did not hesitate. The minute giving their view was spicily and succinctly worded:
This Committee, having received the resolution passed by the (said) club, cancelling the matches with Trinity for the next season, do not for a moment regard is as "in the interests of Rugby Football," but solely as an ebullition of temper, the foundation of which may probably be traced to their numerous defeats by the Trinity Club.
Directions were given that to the club in dispute a copy of the above resolution be sent, together with copies of letters received from referees and umpires in both matches played with them during the last season, also for publication of same in newspapers.
At this distance in time we cannot assess the impact of such a forthright stand. But we can appreciate that Trinity had been touched on a sore spot, and knew how to deal with such a matter. At any rate it was not long before fixtures were resumed.
CHANGE
Until about 1880 the club remained attached to Holy Trinity Church and meetings were held in the Parochial Rooms. Then came a break.
It is interesting to remember that Holly Lodge became the clubs head quarters, and remained so till well over the turns of the century, a resort for all members of the club who cared to gather there. By this time Trinity was a football club purely and simply.
At the Annual General Meeting, on may 26th, 1884, the President, Mr. M. E. Sanderson, was in the chair. The main proceedings seem to have consisted of the various cotes of thanks. The following were the officers elected for the season 1884-5:
President: Mr. M. E. Sanderson.
Captain (1st Team): H. Hutchinson.
Lieutenant (1st Team): H. Ward.
Captain (2nd Team): W. Rhodes.
Captain (3rd Team): A. Roberts.
Hon. Secretary: T. B. Parry.
Assistant Hon. Secretary: C. E. Bartram.
Committee: Messrs. A. Hayley, G, Jubb, T. O. Bennett, J. W. Kilner, E. J. Spink, B. Kilner,
G. Steele, H. Fallas, H. Dawson.
The list of vice-presidents gives names well known in the life of the city – Messrs. R. B. Mackie, T. K. Sanderson, Col. Mackie, J. F. Horne, W. Vybart, Dixon, C. Leatham, B. Watson, P. R. Tomlinson, J. Haigh and H. B. Tomlinson.
Often in those years we find minutes reading: "it was decided to allow the use of the field to..." admission to matches appears usually to have been 3d. and 6d., with an additional 6d. for the stand.
The condition of the field was causing concern, and in July 1885, for the first time a special Ground Committee was charged with its care and maintenance. A month later a tender for £5710s 0d. was accepted for the work on the ground, consisting of boarding up the front of the stand, putting up hoarding, and fixing the touch posts and fences.
Yorkshire Cup
Almost a cliché is the expression we seem to have heard so often repeated, "Trinity are renowned cup fighters". When and why did it receive acceptance? It can safely be assumed that the honour implicit in the saying was earned by the original Rugby Union Trinity in the quest for "T'owd tin pot," the Yorkshire R.U. Cup.
Their first successes of this kind came when they had only been in existence six years. Then came a sequence which can only be described as wonderful. Trinity played nine finals in thirteen years, winning four of them. The scores we give include goals, tries and touch-downs or minor points. At one period one goal beat any number of tries.
Trinity's Rugby Union Yorkshire Cup Finals
April 12th 1879 At Halifax: Trinity 2-1-7 beat Kirkstall 0-0-0
April 3rd 1880 At Cardigan Fields: Trinity 3-6-7 beat Heckmondwike 0-1-2
April 9th 1881 At Cardigan Fields: Dewsbury 1-0-0 beat Trinity 0-0-4
April 1st 1882 At Cardigan Fields: Thornes 1-0-5 beat Trinity 0-1-5
April 23rd 1883 At Cardigan Fields: Trinity 1-2-11 beat Halifax 0-0-0
April 2nd 1887 At Halifax: Trinity 2-0-2 beat Leeds St. JohnÕs 0-0-2
April 7th 1888 At Cardigan Fields: Halifax 0-2-2 beat Trinity 0-0-0
April 5th 1890 At Halifax: Huddersfield 1-0-1 beat Trinity 0-0-0
April 11th 1891 At Headingley: Pontefract 1-1-3 beat Trinity 1-0-3
The fifteen players constituting a team usually consisted of a full-back, three three quarters, two half-backs and nine forwards.