For whoever wins Saturday’s Grand Final, it will have been a long time between drinks.

Fans celebrating the last time Wakefield Trinity were crowned champions would have paid around one shilling and nine pence - nine pence in decimal currency - for the pleasure. The price of a sore head if Trinity beat Warrington Wolves at Old Trafford on Saturday will be rather more expensive.

Famously, Warrington haven’t been crowned champions since 1955, but Trinity have also endured a seemingly endless wait. Trinity’s two championships were achieved back-to-back in 1967 and 1968, against St Helens - after a replay - and Hull KR respectively.

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Wakefield Trinity players, staff and families pose for a team picture in front of their fans following last weekend's semi-final win at Wigan Warriors. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Wakefield Trinity players, staff and families pose for a team picture in front of their fans following last weekend's semi-final win at Wigan Warriors. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

Trinity haven’t reached the title decider, or finished top of the elite division, in the almost 60 years since and even three years ago the idea of them playing at Old Trafford would have been unthinkable. Warrington have at least gone close, being beaten Grand Finalists in 2012, 2013, 2016 and 2018 - and they have four summer era Challenge Cup victories to ease the pain.

Trinity, by contrast, last featured in a major final 47 years ago, when they lost 12-3 to Widnes at Wembley. To put it into context, that Challenge Cup final was played two days after Margaret Thatcher’s first general election triumph.

Jubilant scenes following last Saturday’s stunning 33-6 semi-final win at Wigan Warriors were entirely understandable. Most Wakefield fans have known nothing other than season after season of struggle and strife.

Not part of the inaugural Super League, in 1996, they were promoted in 1998 after finishing top of the table and winning the first Division One play-offs. A crowd of 8,224 saw them pip Featherstone Rovers 24-22 in the final at Huddersfield’s then-McAlpine Stadium.

Wakefield Trinity's DIY Kitchens Stadium, Belle Vuew, has vbeen transfirmed over the past three years. Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

Between then and 2023 Trinity regularly flirted with relegation, finishing in Super League’s bottom three 12 times and eventually being relegated in 2023. Last year, their first back in the top-flight, was only their fourth appearance in the play-offs.

A bitter blow at the time, dropping down to the Championship for the 2024 season proved a blessing in disguise and the launch pad for what could be the club’s greatest era. Under wealthy new owner Matt Ellis and coach Daryl Powell, Trinity bounced back at the first attempt, topping the table by an incredible 13 points, winning 25 of their 26 league games and hammering second-placed Toulouse Olympique in the play-off final. They also won the 1895 Cup at Wembley.

Finishing sixth in their first season back in the top division was an outstanding achievement and Trinity have gone two places better this year. Wakefield’s fourth place was their highest Super League finish and they are the 11th different club to reach the Big Dance.

If they go on to lift the trophy Trinity’s title triumph might be Super League’s most unlikely achievement, considering they were rated 40/1 outsiders to win the Grand Final before the season began. And this could be only the start.

Wakefield Trinity players Dave Topliss, Graham Idle, Andrew Fletcher and Mike Lampowski troop down the Wembley steps after their 1979 defeat by Widnes, which was the last time the club reached a major final. Picture by YPN.

Since Ellis came on board, millions of pounds have been invested in Trinity’s ancient Belle Vue home and there are plans for more improvements in the future. And there is little sign of Wakefield resting on their laurels next year.

The majority of this year’s squad are staying together and eye-catching additions include Cameron Smith from Leeds Rhinos and Hull FC’s Davey Litten and, most excitingly, New Zealand Warriors superstar Roger Tuvasa-Sheck. Whatever happens on Saturday, it’s unlikely to be 47 years before Wakefield reach their next big final.

Prices in 1968 when Wakefield were last crowned champions: Gallon of petrol - 31p, pint of beer 12.5p, pint of milk 4.5p, colour tv set £279, Ford Cortina car, £809, average house price £3,996.