Although you get to the point, you also miss it. We might be the first club to not get a points deduction but if we do get one, we will be the first club to whom it potentially makes a hugely significant difference.

A 4 point penalty last time, which was of the same importance as anyone else's previous points penalty, meant we lost out in one away game in the playoffs and that's about as bad as it ever got for anyone, the others just finished a bit worse off in league table pojnts than they otherwise would have and that was it. Big deal.

However this year a points deduction COULD be a million pound fine, if it results in relegation. I well understand, of course, that tere are many enemies that want us to be disbanded, or failing that, to start in the Pennine League, but even they would have to concede that this particular sanction's teeth have gone from maximum slap -on-the-wrist to possible death sentence.

A points penalty this year, then, is a very different beast to anything any other club has faced. Comparing 4 points this year with any previous year is thus like comparing a community service order with 25 years in jail. If we got 4 points, it is thus an incomparably greater sanction, potentially, than anyone else ever faced. A reasonable RFL would bear that in mind. Of course, the trolls also know this, but deliberately choose to ignore the obvious point - calling for "equal treatment, which is the most risible twisting of all.

But if that doesn't kill us off, maybe another million quid in withheld distribution money will do the job.


That's the other problem. The fans and the true club, that is the one that plays rugby league in Bradford while we watch, doesn't exist and so the RFL can only sanction what does exist and is under their control, which is the new ownership. If the new club had risen out of the old by way of a management buyout prepack or was otherwise directly connected to the people who ruined it then you could see the fairness but in this case that's not so. The effect is to potentially punish all Bradford's fans by penalising the team they watch but we have to accept that practically there is no other way of sanctioning anyone and that although there is no point in punishing someone who has done nothing wrong, there is an element also I'm sure of the RFL having to "be seen" to be doing something eg by Sport England, HMRC etc.

But what is particularly unsavoury is a small number of trolls baying loudly for blood just because the club went into administration, as if that in itself was a heinous crime, and even if nobody lost money they would be just as strident.

I am really surprised that you are struggling with the concept that the new ownership has an advantage over other clubs by buying from administration. It is a plain and simple fact that the new owners are financially better off by becoming new owners when they did than if they had bought the OK Bulls liabilities lock, stock and barrel. Every other club goes into the season with last years balance sheet. The new ownership doesn't. So it is entirely right that they are penalised for this, the actual penalty being determined by the extent of their advantage. If they are able to meet all the liabilities from last year, then it is very arguable that no sanction applies. If they cannot meet the old liabilities in full, then a sanction should apply.

Yes, the sanction may have a greater effect than last year, but equally the sanction of other clubs still owing all liabilities from previous seasons has an impact on them and their ability to recruit. And it's nit just Wakey. Cas, Widnes and London have their squad dictated by their liabilities.

FWI, I think you'll be alright. You're a better team on the park than we are, as you have shown over the last few years. But you are looking at this concept through very tight blinkers.

I am concerned about the comment in the T&A.

" It is understood they were told of the sanctions the club faces and a four-point penalty seems the most likely outcome"

What sanctions are they on about could somebody enlighten me please

Sentence is to be announced 10.30am tomorrow, according to Ross' Twitter.

So the combined punishment will be:

1 - £2/3m fine for this season

2 - Points deduction - size tba - when impact is potentially far far more severe than in recent years. (No issue with a deduction if there is loss to third-party creditors. Totally wrong if there is not).

3 - Drawn against Hudds at Tragic Weekend, in the most unbalanced tie of the round by far based on last season's finishing positions.

Can anyone tell me how the hell ANY club without a sugar daddy is supposed to have any chance faced with all that lot?

roll on 1st june. Let the players do the talking in the first £1m match

So if true and if Adey's points are correct then the value of 2 points (the difference between 4 & 6) is effectively 80 to 90% of the creditors of OK Bulls.
An interesting equation!

I understand the points of view from both sides here. My own interpretation would be to accept the 4 points deduction (remember we had Griffin on the field as 14th man for 12 seconds and we had 2 points deducted!) but also to receive the full Sky pay out - which doesn`t seem to be the position.

I think where the problem arose was Mr Moore`s choice of words suggesting that the new Company would be selective in paying old Creditors. I don`t think the RFL liked that situation. Sometimes its better to say nothing isn`t it?

So how will the other SL clubs share our 4 points out??

By my reckoning Bradford Bulls should be the third and last of four clubs to be the recipient of public beheading. The others being Crusaders, Wakefield and London.

You could put the guillotine in Piccadilly gardens in Manchester so that it's easier for people to get to. Or tour it around for expansion of the game. Starting off with near by non rugby league areas like St georges Square in Huddersfield or Moscow's Red Square.

Until this sort of tough stance is taken clubs will think it acceptable to get into financial trouble!!!!!

Off with Bradford Bulls' head I say!!

These clubs arent the only ones look at Castleford! Where's this new ground they're meant to be building? Everyone forgotten about that? I haven't, Wheldon Road is a death trap and for that I will not be satisfied until I see Castleford tied up and receiving a public flogging. 300 lashes should be OK.

Who get's the beheading though? Is it all players, staff and fans? Seems fair enough to me.

.


is this the same castleford that sits on top of the table.?
save your remarks for your friends at wakefield.
oh and you can get out of the rain at the jungle!!!!

there will be an auction for them with the proceeds being divided up amongst the teams who are un-successful in the bidding...

The club Bradford Bulls will receive the beheading as that's the beneficiary of the commercial advantage of this.

Stop hiding behind the old owners it's got to stop!

I took into account Castleford's league standing and iconic status which is why Cas tigers would only get a flogging and not a beheading.

You have to admit, his arguments would be totally irrefutable, had he not introduced the oxymoron of "friends" and "Wakefield"...

Very fair point BB, clearly should be 13 so they can all have one..

Ross just tweeted decision announced at 3.30pm, does he mean today?

Watch this space

Nearly 15:30.......

Doesn't bode well.

Indeed it does not.

Just had a bit of a shower.....is that it then, 15:30?

is that almost a 40:20 in reverse

I choose to believe the silence means zero points.

Even if we are to be 'pooped on' to the absolute max that is 6 points right?