Going back to the movie theme, Wakefield’s resurrection over the past three seasons is almost too fanciful for Hollywood’s scriptwriters, given the rapid ascent.
Owner Matt Ellis is without doubt the lead character, having come in as a fan but also an incredibly wealthy and successful kitchen magnate.
It has been more than just investment thrown at it; for example Ellis has been hands-on with the stadium renovation in terms of standards and finish on the back of the work of former custodians Michael Carter and John Minards who set the ball rolling.
He also has brought drive and vision, and it was he who was determined to bring Powell to the club as head coach almost immediately after taking control.
“Everything has changed from the top to the bottom,” Johnstone added. “Rather than going into individual key details, the facilities have changed, the manner of the club, just the belief and the ambition of the club is probably the best one.
“We used to say a lot of things and say we wanted to compete but we had no chance of doing it at the time. Whereas now, it’s an elite club. It’s run so well.
“Anything you need, you’ve got it. Matt will provide absolutely anything. He just wants to see success. And the players we’ve signed and the team we’ve built, it just shows. It’s just night and day.”
Ellis and Powell has been a near-perfect partnership; with promotion back to Super League, Wembley success in the 1895 Cup, and back-to-back play-off appearances in Super League all culminating in the glorious win at Old Trafford.
Powell had enjoyed success at Featherstone and Castleford before a stint at Warrington ended prematurely, and joining Wakefield has had a revitalising impact on both club and coach.
“This is an unbelievable story,” Powell said.
“From me thinking a bloke’s trying to sell me a kitchen to winning the Super League is phenomenal. It’s been an unbelievable three years.
“I’m amazed really at the boys and how good they’ve been. Obviously, it’s pretty sweet for me tonight as an individual but for the club, the players, the coaching staff, everything that we’ve built up over the last three years is phenomenal.
“What happened tonight is the best thing that could have happened to Super League, 100%. A sell-out crowd and a team like us, you know the story before the game, it’s awesome. It shows the [salary] cap is working as a team like us can come from the Championship and win in two years, that’s big.”
