I'm puzzled by people saying things like 'I'm OK with us moving out of Bradford, so long as there are cast-iron guarantees about being back in Bradford in a year or two'

What are people thinking that is going to happen in a couple of years that hasn't happened in the past fifty years?

A brand new stadium? Who would pay for that? Where would it be?

A refurbished Odsal? Seems highly unlikely and cost-prohibitive

Redeveloping Horsfall? That looks somewhat possible, but again - who would pay for it?

I'm not trying to be negative, but I really don't see a planned out way forward, besides the expected vague stuff about our long-term future being in Bradford (with absolutely no details about HOW)

That's my fear Paul. Unfortunately I don't believe people see the seriousness of the situation. It's not about being negative. Leaving Bradford IS negative. There is no upside. OK it might mean we don't go out of business this year but after that it's not looking good either.

I’ve no evidence to base it on but I think re-developing Horsfall is the least expensive option the club has if it’s to be based in Bradford. It's got to be cheaper than tinkering with Odsal and we can't afford to go to VP. Where does the money come from? Well maybe if we’re out of Odsal that opens the place up as a redevelopment option of some sort? I don’t know. I would’ve hoped this might have been looked into before now. Perhaps the land could be used for commercial purposes? Unfortunately the Council, Club and RFL are hopeless. Even towns like Colchester can build themselves a smart new stadium. It appears Bradford can't , it'll let a major piece of its history go to ruin and do nothing and lose one of the few generators of good news the city has had in the past few decades.

If we leave the city without a proper plan it will be the end. I’ve seen us decline year on year since 2006. While we’ve improved on the field this year I think moving out of Bradford for the foreseeable future would see enough people lose interest that it would put an end to that recovery. We’ll end up leading a nomadic existence like Swinton or Oldham and become a yo-yo L1/Championship club at best.

If there is as you say no planned way forward then I'll go from long term season ticket holder and supporter of nearly 40 years to someone who probably decides to call it a day.

I'm sure I've read that BPA are trying to get a 35 year lease for Horsfall. If that happens they can then approach the FA for help with new stands, floodlights and things like that. Maybe this is one reason we could be moving to Horsfall.

Hopefully.

Well, we've three days to go then we find something out. Though what we'll find out I haven't a clue, and it's hard to be positive - for all the reasons highlighted above. If our days in exile start without any planned end date then it really is the beginning of the end, particularly if we're moving out of Bradford.

I can imagine, a couple of years down the line, some amateur team starting up and begging the council to let them play at Odsal until the demolition starts, they'll probably call themselves Bradford Bulls. All sounds slightly familiar, doesn't it?

If we get the lease back then AC can start to work on his own vision and work with developers himself. Whilst someone else owns the lease it would be like renting a house and building an extension yourself... there is just no long term security. I firmly believe AC is angling for this option.

If that fails then I believe his fall back plan will be to take up the lease at Dewsbury and start looking for a land opportunity in the Bradford area to develop. I know it sounds crazy, but a decent small stadium (which is all we need) can be built for between £6m-£10m.

Similar projects in mind are Salford's Moor Lane (5,000 capacity costing £5m) and Cornish Pirates (6,000 capacity with 3G and expansion plans for 15,000 possible - £14m)

I know it sounds daft but it really isn't difficult raising that level of capital if the project is designed with year round usage and hire opportunities in mind.

Me personally, I would be speaking with University of Bradford about a joint venture which can be used by students, offering pitches, gym/S&C fitness facilities (which the club would benefit from the use of and could ditch Tong which must cost them a fair whack) and social/teaching space.

All it needs is the club to buy into my vision, come and offer me a comparable salary and I'll start work in 3 months time (I have notice to serve)

If I remember correctly, AC referred to a 'self-imposed' deadline of August 15th to make a decision. This, I presume, gives him the liberty to extend that deadline if he feels it necessary. And, he has not stated - as far as I am aware - that he will reveal the results publicly on the 15th. So, personally, I am not expecting a big Press Conference on Thursday when everything will be revealed. I expect we will have to wait somewhat longer for any hard news.

Of course it isn't. Maybe Chalmers is going to ask Cas and Wakefield for advice........

Difference with Cas and Wakefield is that they have been waiting for hand outs from the council. What I'm suggesting is privately raised capital funds is pretty easy to raise. Cas saw sense and I believe they have now decided they need to move forward on this basis also.

I'm in discussions with a company right now about potential capital investment in a new sports complex. They fund these kind of projects all the time. Its just about negotiating the right kind of deal where everyone benefits.

Get your CV to Chalmers



I'm fairness it looks like the route Wakey are now taking with development of their easy stand in the pipeline.

Lets say i was interested. What do i get in return for my 5 million?

Captain
Goal kicker
Coach
Chairman
Turnstile operator

Would suspect choice would be yours!!!!!!!!

If the announcement is made and we are moving to Dewsbury will that make us the home team on Sunday?

I believe so yes

Each deal varies but essential it revolves around an initial design & build project which would be owned and operated by the club in partnership with the development company.

There would be an agreed project outline to include identified facilities (in this case, in addition to the stadium you would have health & fitness, studios, 3G pitches and space for potential academic use (UoB or Bulls Foundation). Maybe also include NHS facilities which tend to be a good fit in new build leisure spaces (working with a local practice or new venture).

An SLA would then be drafted for an agreed period of time (25-50yrs) which would enable the development partner to gain a profitable return against their initial investment, after this the SLA would end and the club would have sole responsibility.

During the time, the operational costs including utilities, maintenance and staffing would be the responsibility of the club but you would expect the project to be sufficiently profitable to cover its costs and allow the club to reinvest in the team.

£5m you would probably be looking at 5,000 capacity max.

I don't doubt you, and I know absolutely nothing about this whole thing, so thanks for your insight

But if it's as straight forward as you make it sound, why hasn't it already been done - not just in Bradford, but also in Castleford, Wakefield, Oldham, Swinton etc

Genuine question...

I think it depends on the area, the opportunity to create something that's a success and also it needs clubs to have a core following who would buy in and make it a success.

The clubs you mention, they will each have pro's and cons, some have a wealth of facilities being invested in around them which makes such a project like Odsal not likely, others don't have profile to sell it to a private investor. It depends how much help and financial support they expect from their respective councils.

Having a look at Google Map of Bradford, we just don't have a wealth of modern community available assets to say we are such a big city. In addition the university is looking to expand and its sporting estate is poor at best. The sports clubs rely on the private hire of many local facilities and I believe there is a deal to be done there.

I really believe we can go out and make it happen ourselves.

Saying announcement on Friday now

Where is this being reported?

Telegraph website

Bulls to move to Dewsbury confirmed: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/article/ ... adium-for-

Bulls to move to Dewsbury confirmed: www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/article/ ... adium-for-

Think it's a bad move hope I'm wrong

Reading the article it sounds like it’s the only option of appropriate size and cost. Also much in there which makes me think bullinenemylands is correct

Think that’s the end of the club, or at least the end of the club having any other aspirations other than mid table championship rugby.

Shame - hope the council and the RFL are pleased.

Think Chalmers needs to set up a Q&A with the fans urgently as a lot are rightly unhappy. I'm personally OK with Dewsbury as its similar distance to Odsal anyway. But we absolutely have to be back in the citY ASAP.

I understand the reasons for leaving. If we can't afford the place fair enough. But we need to be in the City. I can live with Dewsbury if there is some sort of stadium improvement, to go back to (highly unlikely IMO)