Could be a quiet afternoon on here then once they've gone back to the VT!

Hi Guys,



I am new on here, moving to back home to Bradford from Somerset next week.



First of all Debt is not a bad word, it is how it is managed, The product (Rugby League) has to be sold to the supporter current and new. Did any one get an opportunity to ask what ideas both conceptual and programmed to bring back healthier supporter levels.



I understand the history of Odsal, having stood there watching Mr Seabourne as Northern too many years ago but have also wondered why the club and the RFL are so determined to hold onto an out of date stadium, when in fact Bradford City FC have an amazing stadium, using a ground sharing scheme would be more attractive financially and would employ more efficient cost cutting, without losing funds for higher class players?



There are a lot of positives in the board being truthful not least the supporters accepting the position and moving forward with the club.



Brian Noble mentioned some years ago, success in our great game is bought, that's why we have so many overseas players and is what he is doing at Salford. I disagree there has to be a more innovative approach to providing solutions to the debate that include home grown players and collective performance by supporters and club alike.



There is an old saying in business "people will buy what enhances their lives"

It seems we are in permanent 'survival mode' and have been since march 2012. I'm getting used to the financial problems now. I'm not very fond of them, though.

Indeed



Plus we are committed to making payments at Odsal under the terms of the various connected lease arrangements.



Also I am not sure why some people seem to assume that we could move in to a new home at VP for a song. Last time this was discussed it was pretty clear that the rent would be nearer an arm and a leg than a song.





You are of course right about managed debt, but I'm afraid there are plenty on here who have no clue about it, and think no business should have any debt, and should operate purely with cash it has in the till. They don't understand that it isn't whether you're in debt, but rather whether you use the loan/s well and can service that debt. They wouldn't get the fact that successful businesses normally have very significant borrowings.



Unless a very large sum of money has gone walkies though - and not even our worst enemies and trolls have suggested that sort of thing - then it is worth not losing sight of the seeming fact that the debts run up must therefore all have been spent on running the club in the 2013 season, not down the bookies or whatever. Presumably therefore a mixture living beyond your means, failing to keep close (or any) check of cashflow, getting into repeated hock, and hoping something would turn up (it never does).



The only thing I would add though is that sadly rugby league clubs are not really a "business" in the sense that they are attractive as somewhere for "businessmen" to "invest" money. They are one of the best and easiest way to do in your bollox, year after year, and that is why invariably the top clubs have a wealthy benefactor who is prepared to do precisely that.

We've been in the financial do dos pretty much since 2006/7. The club under successive owners has cut players and staff ever since. Hopefully the new people in charge will keep a tight rein on the money and we'll start to live within our means. They have my backing.



Wakey seem to have gone through a similar situation as us lately and I doubt if it's just us and them in this situation.

If anyone wants Whitcuts number to ask where money has gone, I've got it

1. I suspect that pressure could, if desired, be brought on Bradford Council to let the RFL, and thereby also the Bulls, off the hook as regards the lease on Odsal. ie. the Council could say ok we'll scrap the lease and you give us back the unencumbered freehold of Odsal. The Council could then do what ever is most advantageous for the people of the Bradford District with the land.



2. But, in the current climate (viz did you see the near very serious injuries at Old Trafford because of the non-existent gap between the dead ball lines and the perimeter fence [apart from that dangerous steep drop)?



Professional RL would not be allowed at Valley Parade nowadays. It's not long enough. For RL you need 100 metres for the field of play, 8 metres each for the in-goal areas and 5 metres at each end between the deadball line and the perimeter fence = 126 metres in total.



3. It shouldn't be difficult for this new board of directors to run the Bulls so it breaks even year on year from now on on the basis you are committed to not spending more than your income. The test for these directors, or any set of RL club directors, is do they have the skill/nous to gradually break-even over the years at higher and higher levels.



i.e. is it expected that in time they can get the Bulls' break-even level from say £1 milion in, £1 milion out each year up gradually to £10 milion in, £10 million out each year?

to be able to operate withing their means the club will have to forego the expectations of the fans who want to be in the playoffs, dream of Old Trafford and a visit to wembley. Unfortunately a lot of fans only attend when teams are successful, Bradfords success going forward for the next couple of years should be to not finish bottom of the league and try to rebuild from there. At least the RFL can help with a ground to play on at a minimal or zero cost

Would you not expect that the Bulls would have to pay the same rent to the RFL that the RFL has to pay to Bradford Council?

Odsal's playing area is nowhere near 100 mtrs long.

I thought last time you went to VP 5000 fans were lost and that was the reason you returned to Odsal.

That's of far more importance surely than the length of the field of play.

The RFL paya a peppercorn rent to bradford council for the primary lease. Thinks its nominally £1. Bulls pay RFL something in region of 70k a year. Pretty sure bulls would love to pay RFL same rent as RFL pays council.