The story unfolding at Wakefield Trinity is so remarkable you could think it was the premise of a Hollywood movie script. That would not be the first time that has happened at the club. Rewind to 1963 and Richard Harris rolled into town to play the role of Frank Machin in 'This Sporting Life' - the adaptation of David Storey's novel centred on a coal miner turned rugby league star.
Harris later became known for playing Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter movies as well as roles in films including The Field, A Man Called Horse, Cromwell, Unforgiven, and Gladiator. But it was his portrayal of a gritty rugby league man that originally earned him critical acclaim. Harris turned up to Wakefield's then-named Belle Vue Stadium for two weeks of filming with some of the 1960s stars of rugby league.
Under head coach Ken Traill, Wakefield won the Championship twice, plus the Challenge Cup and Yorkshire Cup three times so Harris knew he was turning up to train with the best of the best. Amongst the likes of Derek Turner, Neil Fox, Brian Briggs and Jack Wilkinson, Harris was to portray this rough diamond that a coach saw something in to become their star loose forward. Of course, at moments, the film was met with the steely indignation that would have been expected.
The coach and physio were furious that, due to being featured in the film, they had to pay and . Harris tried at one point to take on Turner in a scrum to bring a realism to the film and was knocked out, cutting filming short for that day. Despite that, Wakefield's stars could see what the film was all about.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The rugby league angle centres on the fact the spirit, clear potential, and ferocity Harris' character Machin shows in his trial game in the side is enough to convince the coach he is worth a shot, that this player can be moulded from raw ability to fulfilled talent. It is something not too dissimilar to what is on display with many of the current star players in Wakefield's Grand Final side. Caleb Hamlin-Uele was close to giving up on his rugby league dream and was working in a factory when he got the call to come and join Wakefield in the Championship.
He is now close to an international call-up for England. A similar story can be told of Caius Faatili, the pair of props becoming somewhat of an unstoppable duo when they come on for their side and wreak havoc. They have journeyed from the coal mine to stardom.
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