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Some other points from last night:
They are assessing the dual reg options. They hate the system but it was necessary in 2017. Nothing decided for 2018 at the moment.
They are looking to recruit players from the world cup. Players must play two games then they’re eligible for visas. They are “going to be all over it”. Hopefully this will mean no c0ckups like when they signed Phoenix Hunapo.
Chalmers thought the legal case was a major reason behind the slump in form this season since 14 players currently with the club were part of it. I’m not sure I agree with that analysis. Some of those 14 players may be part of the 2018 squad but he said they don’t hold anything against them. They’re not sure why they’re part of the case. Case to be heard in January apparently.
I asked about possibility of further forums since this was the only proper communication we’d had since they took over. Was promised we wouldn’t have to wait a year before the next.
I didn’t get chance to ask about the spelling mistakes in the press releases – I spoke to Stuart Duffy who said he was aware of the problem and had raised it. He suggested people write to Andrew.Chalmers@bradfordbulls.co.uk and make the point. So over to you lot. If he’s aiming to sell 2-3k season tickets and re-engage with business and other institutions this aspect of communication needs to improve or people will think the Bulls are a bunch of amateurs.
My feelings were mixed at the end of it. On the positive side he has a plan. It’s going to mean building from the bottom up over the next 3-4 years. Whether we will achieve it is another matter. I think he under estimates the disconnect some people feel and he’ll struggle to achieve his season ticket sales target unless there’s a steady stream of positive news to make people feel enthusiastic. At these kind of events you get the true hard core and there were plenty of people in the room ready to believe in anything they were told. It’s the ones that weren’t there that he needs to reach out to. We’ve heard it all before about “living within our means” so I just hope he’s right about that. We can only hope these plans are followed through it’s up to us as individuals whether we buy into it. I want to believe but still have my doubts, I’ll wait to see what progress we make in the off season before deciding on a season ticket or not.
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Some other points from last night:
They are assessing the dual reg options. They hate the system but it was necessary in 2017. Nothing decided for 2018 at the moment.
They are looking to recruit players from the world cup. Players must play two games then they’re eligible for visas. They are “going to be all over it”. Hopefully this will mean no c0ckups like when they signed Phoenix Hunapo.
Chalmers thought the legal case was a major reason behind the slump in form this season since 14 players currently with the club were part of it. I’m not sure I agree with that analysis. Some of those 14 players may be part of the 2018 squad but he said they don’t hold anything against them. They’re not sure why they’re part of the case. Case to be heard in January apparently.
I asked about possibility of further forums since this was the only proper communication we’d had since they took over. Was promised we wouldn’t have to wait a year before the next.
I didn’t get chance to ask about the spelling mistakes in the press releases – I spoke to Stuart Duffy who said he was aware of the problem and had raised it. He suggested people write to Andrew.Chalmers@bradfordbulls.co.uk and make the point. So over to you lot. If he’s aiming to sell 2-3k season tickets and re-engage with business and other institutions this aspect of communication needs to improve or people will think the Bulls are a bunch of amateurs.
My feelings were mixed at the end of it. On the positive side he has a plan. It’s going to mean building from the bottom up over the next 3-4 years. Whether we will achieve it is another matter. I think he under estimates the disconnect some people feel and he’ll struggle to achieve his season ticket sales target unless there’s a steady stream of positive news to make people feel enthusiastic. At these kind of events you get the true hard core and there were plenty of people in the room ready to believe in anything they were told. It’s the ones that weren’t there that he needs to reach out to. We’ve heard it all before about “living within our means” so I just hope he’s right about that. We can only hope these plans are followed through it’s up to us as individuals whether we buy into it. I want to believe but still have my doubts, I’ll wait to see what progress we make in the off season before deciding on a season ticket or not.
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| There has been a lot said about the Cha/Low partnership but I feel confident with Chalmers. He comes across as a professional RL person who I feel I can trust to run the bulls.
I am not to concerned at who may or may not be behind him as long as he does things correctly.
We will be starting this next season in far better shape than for many years even in a lower division.
Success needs a good foundation and it feels like Chalmers is setting that up and he does seem to know of something coming available for the club in about 4 years time.
So, it looks like we have 3 years to put the club on a sound footing ready for that SL application.
Lets hope 3000+ fans see it that way and stick with them.
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| I'm cautiously and gently optimistic from reading the reports on last night
The emphasis on how the legal case affected the on-pitch form is really interesting, as it was a point that I don't believe I've heard raised before. Here's the quote
Quote "Up to round nine, the club had won five games out of nine, but following the start of proceedings by the former and present staff and players against the club, the team lost 14 out of 15 games, which is a staggering result on the field," Chalmers said.
"What is clear to us is that this legal claim had a negative and distracting impact and affected the players' commitment on the field and their attitude off the field. Not all players were affected but it had a definite effect. It's been extremely damaging.'"
When you look at the list of current players, fourteen of them, it's interesting to ponder who exactly he is referring to when he talks about 'commitment on the field and attitude off the field'
Quote Current players on the claimant list are James Bentley, Omari Caro, Dane Chisholm, Vila Halafihi, Joseph Keyes, Liam Kirk, Joe Lumb, Iliess Macani, Jonathan Magrin, James Mendeika, Ross Oakes, Colton Roche, Ethan Ryan, and Oscar Thomas.'"
I would certainly expect that those who are deemed to have not put in the commitment this season are not offered contracts for next season. I guess the list of who stays and who goes will be very interesting in this regard!
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| So what were the questions put to Chalmers? Anything interesting come out of those? Can only see write ups about Chalmers' presentation.
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| The main concern I think is about ticket pricing. It can't stay exactly the same as this year as I think we could be having anything from 2-4 fewer home games next year. Paying the same, for less, is a hard sell at the best of times, never mind after the dross we have seen this year.
Unless player recruitment is exciting, and we perform well in the friendlies, I don't think that will be achievable
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| Is Toovey staying?
Why don't we consider moving out of Odsal?
Why should we believe you?
Can we expect more forums in future within the year?
How many of the 14 players claiming against us are contracted for 2018?
What do you think of UK referees Geoff?
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| Quote ="Highlander"The main concern I think is about ticket pricing. It can't stay exactly the same as this year as I think we could be having anything from 2-4 fewer home games next year. Paying the same, for less, is a hard sell at the best of times, never mind after the dross we have seen this year.
Unless player recruitment is exciting, and we perform well in the friendlies, I don't think that will be achievable'"
It's a hard sell alright but not impossible - it really depends on the club getting out regular bits of good news that show it's turned the corner.
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| Quote ="Highlander"The main concern I think is about ticket pricing. It can't stay exactly the same as this year as I think we could be having anything from 2-4 less home games next year. Paying the same, for less, is a hard sell at the best of times, never mind after the dross we have seen this year.
Unless player recruitment is exciting, and we perform well in the friendlies, I don't think that will be achievable'"
It doesn't help that we simply do not know yet what the format will be for League 1 next season.
There's all sorts of rumours about whether some clubs will fold or merge, and how the fixtures will play out. Everyone was unhappy with the fixture format this season - teams played each other once, EITHER home or away. This meant a very unbalanced fixture list (especially when some teams had to go to Toronto and others did not!).
I think the RFL will aim to have proper home and away fixtures next season (hence dumping the League 1 Cup). But when that would be confirmed is anyones guess.
But I agree - surely nobody in their right mind would buy a ST when we don't know how many games it's going to cover...
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| Quote ="Bullseye"...
Chalmers thought the legal case was a major reason behind the slump in form this season since 14 players currently with the club were part of it. I’m not sure I agree with that analysis. Some of those 14 players may be part of the 2018 squad but he said they don’t hold anything against them. They’re not sure why they’re part of the case. Case to be heard in January apparently.'"
I got the impression he believed it was a part of slump but it tied in time wise with the recall of loanees and injuries. One more thing that all contributed at the same time.
He also stated he still doesn't understand why the new company is part of the claim.
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| I thought that the fact that he dedicated a slide to it while glossed over the return of the loan players meant he saw it as at least an equal factor.
Whatever. It's history now. I just hope we learn the lesson that relying on loan players and dual reg is not a good idea.
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| I couldn't really see the slides (aging eyes), just gonig off what he'd said. They were fairly clear on their dislike for DR though, so I doubt we'll see that next year.
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| One of the reasons I'm cautiously optimistic is that for the first time in a long while our owner is first and foremost a Rugby League man, if he can use that experience and knowledge married to a realistic cap spend linked to income - and somehow sells the dream to enough quality players, we might, might, have a chance of at least starting an upwards trend rather than keep sliding down the spiral.
At this point I'm not even too concerned over how he came to be in charge, or what might happen in 3/4 years time in terms of restructuring. I reckon I'll just be grateful for having a club that exists in 2018 that could compete on even terms week in week out, and someone in charge who appears to have a reasonable plan. My purchase of a season ticket for 2018 will depend on the squad moves made and if he starts to follow through on his plans.
I agree with Bullseye though that I suspect AC slightly underestimates just how much the fan base has taken in disappointment/lies/false promises/etc, and the disconnect and mistrust that has engendered. Its going to take a long time of delivering realistic aims to get everyone back on board (even if its just small steps like actually having the kit for sale before xmas and being to do online transactions!) but it is possible, a winning team on the pitch fixes a lot.
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| Well it sounded more positive than i thought it would. I've always been in the middle of "believing every little good thing they tell us" & "criticising no matter what"
For me the hybrid system is a good thing. I think going fully PT would have made it too difficult to ever return to FT in the future. So a hybrid system is the best way forward. Like others have said, it depends what players we get. If Halafihi, Davies are the FT players, could be a long season. For me Wilkinson, Kirk, Pickersgill, Butterworth, Oakes (if he stays) Ricketts need to be the first to be offered FT deals.
The focus on the academy is very encouraging. It will probably make us more attractive to young players and gives John Bastian more resources (he's already worked wonders with limited resources) Having a reserves is a good thing and puts other clubs to shame. Although some on twitter obsessed with us still trying to find the fact we will be running a reserves a negative.
It does sound like licensing will be returning and Chalmers is trying to get all the off-field stuff in play before then. Even if it doesn't and there is still a form of relegation, having strong foundations is only way we'll recover as a club.
I'll be getting a ST. Hopefully some good news is the off-season will encourage others to do the same.
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| His optimism comes across, however it's actions rather than works that he should be judged on. Lets see how we stand at the start of next season.
He does need to do meetings like this a lot more often though.
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| Some things I'll be looking to see sorted before I buy a season ticket.
1. A reasonable squad being assembled that is a credible promotion challenger.
2. Online shop up and running before Xmas.
3. End to spelling mistakes in media releases.
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| Quote ="Bullseye"Some things I'll be looking to see sorted before I buy a season ticket.
1. A reasonable squad being assembled that is a credible promotion challenger.
2. Online shop up and running before Xmas.
3. End to spelling mistakes in media releases.'"
E tickets next year apparently, but and print them off the internet. wants to save money employing people. Make sense.
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| Quote ="Bullseye"Some things I'll be looking to see sorted before I buy a season ticket.
1. A reasonable squad being assembled that is a credible promotion challenger.
2. Online shop up and running before Xmas.
3. End to spelling mistakes in media releases.'"
3b. A website actually worth clicking on (which is in part a combination of 2 and 3).
4. New coaching staff confirmed? - Toovey would need his head testing if it's a choice between Gold Coast and Bradford. When us nutjobs who've been around 20+ years are finding it hard to be motivated, can't blame "an outsider" for looking for something better.
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| Are the owners of your club really make all these plans on the back of something that may or may not happen? Did they say who all your reserve grade teams would be playing? I mean you can only play Hull and Halifax so many times without either a - Getting bored or b - Hull stealing anyone who is any good. I also think your owners are playing you with the hybrid system and dressing it up rather than saying they are going part time, I give it a month in to the new season before you really understand what a hybrid system is(FWIW Fev and Fax run a hybrid full and part time system they just dont dress it up like that).
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| Up until the launch of Super Dooper league many teams could have been classed as 'hybrid' (Wigan being a notable exception). It seemed to work okay back in those days (or do I need to remove my rose tinted spectacles..?)
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| 3000 season ticket sales is fanciful at best to be honest. I won't be buying one but little was likely to convince me to make such a commitment after so many let downs. The season is over with and perhaps if we can have an off season without any dramas I will feel a little more enthused about getting to a few games next year paying on the gate.
I spoke to a few people leaving the forum and pretty much everyone said no chance of 3k at the same price as this year.
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| Quote ="le penguin"3b. A website actually worth clicking on (which is in part a combination of 2 and 3).
4. New coaching staff confirmed? - Toovey would need his head testing if it's a choice between Gold Coast and Bradford. When us nutjobs who've been around 20+ years are finding it hard to be motivated, can't blame "an outsider" for looking for something better.'"
If Geoff was watching the Titans lose again to Parramatta this morning hes probably thinking out of the frying pan and into the fire.Its a toss up whose worse them or us.They are woeful.
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| I can't think there's any chance of a Toovey settling for a part time coaching role in Div 3 nor does it make sense to pay whatever the going rate you pay Tooveys to move to UK and live here, given our new straitened circumstances. I also don't think it's reasonable to expect him to take a pay cut. If by some miracle he stayed then that alone would prove his dedication to the cause, but I don't think anyone would criticise him if he thought this was not for him.
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| Quote ="Bully_Boxer"
I spoke to a few people leaving the forum and pretty much everyone said no chance of 3k at the same price as this year.'"
That's the general vibe I get as well. I can't believe it was brushed over last night without comment. With hindsight, I should have questioned them on it.
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| OK, I've only just got around to reading about this forum properly. I am frankly amazed that so many people are thinking it was largely positive. Sure a couple of good things to come out of it (academy set ups for example), but also some bad (season ticket prices being frozen is ridiculous), but largely it's more of the usual suggestion that things are happening that they haven't backed up yet. In some cases (franchise) they won't have to back it up for years yet.
It seems like another of those forums where everyone falls in love with the person doing the speech and thinks he comes across really well, only to later realise they've bought a timeshare in the bermuda triangle using their entire life savings. Perhaps that's because I wasn't there to stare into his gorgeous eyes while he told me he wanted my wallet.
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| There were a lot of happy clappers there but you'd expect that. I'm giving Chalmers until the start of next season to see if he delivers on some of his pledges.
Have you emaled him about the press releases yet?
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