I don't think there was any animosity when he left Cas. Ben had just won the most improved player award at his age group and when he was offered a contract by Cas he decided not to sign it and went to wakey.
Happens all the time.

There is a bit of dewy-eyed romanticism on the part of some fans when it comes to locally produced players, as most of us would love to see the side full of Wakey lads like Ben. So when they depart, there's a tendency to 'blame' the club - they weren't used properly, the coach didn't like them, they were offering peanuts etc etc.

In reality, the vast majority of these young men are trying to get the most money they can throughout their brief careers and as such, they don't really have any loyalty other than to themselves and/or their families. Sticks in the craw a bit sometimes to see local talent buggering off over the Pennines, but it was ever thus and ever will be.

What seems to be notable about Ben is that he's an unusally articulate and intelligent young man for a RL player and as such, I hope he continues to conduct himself with class and dignity; if he does, that will set him in good stead, regardless of whether he becomes a RL superstar or goes back to his career in the NHS.

Hopefully, his family and advisors will also keep schtum about any perceived ill-will towards WTW and focus on the future.

A good team needs to be more than just the sum of it's parts. Ben may not be a world beater, but he had the potential to have a long career as part of Wakey team for the next 10 years. I think this is a shame for us and once again sends out all the wrong signals about where we are going as a club - that's not say that the club haven't tried to retain him, but the bits I've heard weren't encouraging!

Ted's poodle etc etc...

How is wanting a home grown side being Ted's poodle ffs!

The club has made great strides in recent months, but we're far from a finished product and many people are still holding out until they see stronger progress on the playing side.

I would just like to see a side built largely from Wakey lads, that's all - and yes, I did tell Andrew that!

A poodle with balls, nice one, its a shame more people on here don't grow some.

I could be wrong Phil but I think that was meant as a dig at the usual suspects expected to come along and trot the poodle line out yet again.

Yeah, the guy just thinks that I'm having a go at anything Andrew, which is not the case, but I am dissapointed by this!

while I too would like to also see that its just not going to happen over night and again we have to look at the quick fix now we have been given the green light to stop up for three more seasons.

the 1873 club will go along way in help build the youth on but that too has to be push for us to have any impact on the Wakefield product.

the massive problem is money and we are not going to keep the kids interested unless we can compete with the bigger clubs.

Where did you coach Al?

Good luck Ben, hope you have a long, prosperous and illustrious career!

Gawthorpe, Crigg & Westgate I believe.

He coached Jay Pitts , and lots of currents juniors around such as the number 4 & 8 from leeds u18 last night.

And Nathan who was playing in the 20's tonight but seems to have been dropped, young Gledhill is another i've been involved with, its very nice to see so many young players coming through but i only played a small part in developing these lads along with many other coaches who are far and away above my level.

Cant believe fans questioning loyalty, you cant question loyalty when you dont know half of what could have gone on... At the end of the day its a career, if in your current job roles at the age of 21 you were offered twice as much money to do the job somewhere else you would all take it. So anyone questioning loyalty is wrong
And in regards to the fans questioning ability and effort its ridiculous! Makes me laugh how you think you know better than a person who has coached state of origin! For a player that hasnt had a a run of more than 4 games at a time in the first team swapping between Fev and Wakey i dont know how you can expect him to have such a huge impact!

i told you last week that ben would be going to salford and i can tell you now if things go as they are going hickey will be going as well,can't see why you would want to sign fozzy the guy is made out of chocolate. constantly injured. ewan dowes is not as good as what you have now and if ali's knee does not hold out thats a lot of money wasted. always knew kyle wpould be going back and will get loads of first grade with the rhinos..

You can on here, its the world of make believe at times.

Well aren't you the cats whiskers, I'd go and have your head shrunk if I were you as it's about to pop. A good guess and two stating the obvious, well done - no really.

I dont do guessing unless i am asked 2 the facts are that if jimmy had turned up for the meeting with ben he might of still be here next season. It is quite obvious jimmy didnt want him. the other 2 are not obvous to some otherwise we wouldnt be trying to sing them so why be so rude mate .

To the best of my knowledge thats true

Rude, me never. Doesn't pay to big yourself up to much on here, and be honest you were doing that just a bit.



I think we could call that doing a Cronk!

If that's true then shame on JE even if he didn't want to sign him back on, a very bad way to treat anyone unles he has a very good reason why he couldn't attend, can anyone shed further light on this?

Its very true that both sides to a story can be very different but i will ask James when i see him next, he may or may not tell me.

Thing is he could be the next peacock and we may at some point in the future need/require his services, if James has not shown him any respect then you can guarantee he will not want to have any dealings with us.

On today's showing I'm glad he's not been resigned. Knock on 1st tackle on Leeds 20 and well dominated.

fair shout mate but apart from kyle the front row was totally dominated. gerard no where near fitness, too slow off the floor, no where near quick enough in the line and liam seemed to be blown after 10 mins. where is korkidas?