To be clear, these are my views, not those of the BullBuilder board.

Hopefully I am not speaking out of hand here and the outgoing / remaining board members of BullBuilder will not take offence from any of the following.

Many of the recent board did consider “soldering on” in a Watchdog type capacity to allow BullBuilder members and indeed other fans outside the organisation to air their views / concerns / frustrations through an elected body, with a track record of engagement along with successful actions and activity with the club on various projects. Due to the make up of the BullBuilder board, there would have also been an opportunity for people to seek clarification in regards to the recent share offering, and what the shares will actually provide for the fans once official details are announced.

Ignoring the increased professional and personal pressures that the recent BullBuilder board are experiencing (including myself), the main issue in respect of a “Watchdog” type organisation is that at some point you are realistically going to come into the firing line with club officials and fans.

Not one of the current / outgoing board wished to be that figurehead – being the figurehead will put you in the firing line of a top level experienced MP in Gerry Sutcliffe, the charismatic owner Omar who is loved by many, never mind the internet trolls that hide behind pseudonyms who just look to provoke all and sundry. In reality this person would simply be expressing the views of the group, which I know the club would liaise and interact with, but no doubt still affords mud to stick and a black mark to be placed next to your name…..

One message that should not be lost here is the fact that BullBuilder has not died. The “vehicle” of the trust is still there and will continue to be for the next few years at the very least – below taken from the recent press release:

[i=#400080“Therefore we have decided that we will keep BullBuilder alive in anticipation of a future return to an active role. In doing so, BullBuilder will fulfil all its obligations as a legally-constituted Supporters’ Trust and will be fully audited and accountable”.[/i

If a group of individuals make themselves known to the board keeping the trust ticking over, there is nothing to stop them taking on the trust and being that watchdog, or using the trust for another suitable method.

It would be a real shame for the trust to slide away into oblivion.

The number of meetings I (and the rest of the board) have attended in connection to keeping the club afloat and moving forwards is a lot larger than many of you would expect. There have been meetings with current owners, previous board members, interim board members, coaching staff, academy players parents, RFL representatives, potential bidders, the general fan, the club Chaplain, local as well as national press and TV, the list goes on…..and believe me, you would think we were politicians given the number of conflicting stories we have been told about any number of things!

From a personal point of view, I do not think that the club would be in the state it is currently in had it not been for the hardship fund set up to help those made redundant by “he who shall not be named”. The togetherness that was generated by those returning to work for nothing, and the support that the fund gave them in being able to do so lives on through the players and performances we have seen this season.

There are many other areas BullBuilder supported the Academy in – [i[ufloodlights, training skins, gym equipment, physio and transport costs to Hull KR while in administration[/u[/i, and that’s just in the last year. However, if the trust does go, the Hardship fund will be its legacy, and one that I was very proud to be involved with administering.

I sincerely hope a group of like-minded individuals do come forward to take the trust up – I just hope beyond hope that it is not called in to action down the line due to failings of any current or future owners.

Joni Mitchell is coming????

Danny DeVito.

Not that I am aware of; but the lyrics seemed pertinent.