Psychologically I'm thinking that a new Bradford team is starting in CH1 in 2018 which is great news. Apparently in 2017 they are going to play a few friendlies.

Would you though? because, they can't actually do tht. There have to be games, so there has to be a team, and every week it plays.
we don't have, and won't have, a team. Let's start with that. How can anything "settle down" when the basic thing required for a rugby league club - a team of some sort - doesn't and won't exist

I am really struggling to see what the new onwers and the RFL are thinking of.

Sums up my thoughts exactly. Much as I admire the devotion of the "I'll be there come what may" brigade, I strongly object to being taken wholly for granted by the RFL who think we'll turn up regardless of how much sh*t they throw at us.
Has anyone started a "boycott Blackpool" campaign yet? Although HKR will take plenty this year, it would be a damp squib without the Bulls fans.

To clarify, I don't expect whatever squad is assembled to just roll over and die. I'm sure the right noises will be made about how it's backs to the walls and we can do it. Although I also wouldn't be surprised if in the background they're thinking "let's not spend too much this season, let's just use this as a practice run to get to know companies, staff and players ready for an assault on League 1 next season". I WOULD understand that thinking behind closed doors. It just doesn't bring fans in, but as I say, there's no way they'll state that in public anyway.

Pumpetypump is right. It does/would have the feeling of this season being a trial run for essentially a fresh start in League 1 next season.

It’ll soon become pretty obvious whether or not we’re planning to make a serious attempt at staying up or whether we’re just going to be “marking time” until relegation. I think we’re all knowledgeable enough to tell what the plan is when we see a squad of players announced.

Indeed. The more intelligent amongst us will be able to work it out quite easily I would think.

It's the ones who believe Richard Lamb had Todd Carney signed and sealed that will take in whatever claptrap comes out of the club, regardless of evidence.

Now come on! Shipley had a smattering of die hards down at Peel Park that still turned up to come come thrashings, dog e, locel eejits walking across the field whilst the game was on... we need to turn up to protest!

I like to think Facebook groups will fully support the new regime and adopt a cup half-full attitude because they are the kids listening to pop in the 6th form common room.

On here, we are the mardy indie kids, slumped in a classroom, keeping it real. We won't believe a bloody word anyone tells us.

That might be the best analogy I've read. Today.

Chris Jones, writing in today's LE, suggests a mixture of part-time and full-time players and a budget of around £400k.

Ignoring for a moment the very real possibility that he hasn't a f***ing clue about the make up of the team or the budget, would that be enough to make you competitive? I'm out of touch with the spending levels of Championship clubs. And assuming of course that there are players still available.

When the press conference actually happens, do you think it will be lip service or will we get some details or what there plans are?

Also be interested to no if there plans involve developing Odsal. Chalmers bid was accepted when the club was in admin and had 3 days of talking to the RFL about what???? Can only think the lease had something to do with them talks.

Would be a good to no how much Batley spent on player wages last year.

They told people didn't they? I seem to remember a figure of £300k+ mentioned somewhere. I accept I may have dreamed this.

Want to be the new club accountant?

Not even an announcement of an 'Imminent Announcement'. It would be nice to be 'whelmed' just for once. I am not greedy, anything would do...even a 'Nige is just finishing his sticky toffee pud, then after the coffee, cheese, port, cigars and another round of sandwiches, we'll be with you'

Well a lot is made of Batley being part time and having a tiny budget. However they’re a club that’s spent a long time at this level and managed to attract the best part time talent. A lot of their players could go pro but have decent jobs so have chosen not to. A side cobbled together at the last minute will have the players nobody else wants.

The difference being with Batley is that although they may have only spent £300k and the new Bradford's budget is allegedly £400k, Batley had a lot longer to sort out the squad and cherry pick the best of the part time players. Especially since Sheffield had just got rid of a load of players who didn't want to go full time, of which Batley happily snapped up (likes of Dom Brambani & Patch Walker). Bradford could have £1m but they still only have the choice of whatever left from all the players other clubs don't want.


Edit: Bullseye largely beat me to that point...

A lot of pro players at this level are actually inferior to their part time counterparts. We struggled versus some part time teams last year (Fax, Dewsbury, Batley etc). Mind you a lot of that was down to our lack of halfbacks and the side not responding to Lowes.

Have we actually got new owners or did I dream that on Friday?

I will find out but it won't be until Wednesday, i do no all they players got £5k bonus for getting in to top 4.

Live press conference at 15.00 today on bulls new website

[url=http://www.clownsinternational.combradfordbulls.com[/url

I think that's right. Like many, when we got relegated I assumed that our full-time squad would be able to easily steamroller the part-time teams. It didn't exactly work out that way did it? Now that we've been in that league for a couple of years it's become apparent that there are lots of really decent players who simply don't want to give up their lucrative careers to take a punt on a full-time career in RL.

The big problem is that the upper echelon of Championship players are already signed up with Championship teams for 2017 and - one presumes - quite happy to stay with those teams.

That leaves us with a mixture of: the unwanted people from the current squad, people not good enough for other Championship teams, and loans from SL team (i.e unwanted players)

Is no one stationed outside Odsal to report any comings or goings. Thought they were meeting with players etc today?