Bulls always have the begging bowl our don't they
Haven't they fleeced the fans out of enough cash already, why would businesses in Bradford give money to bulls? Even in the glory days no one parted with money so why would they now?
Firstly bulls should make sure they get private healthcare set up for their players as I remember an old bulls captain a pure legend discussing how disgraceful it was that bulls players were not covered by a private health care scheme. 2010-2012

You obviously weren't there or didn't listen.

There's always going to be people trying to turn things into negatives.

ATEOTD I believe firstly us the fans need to buy into OK's vision for the club.

He wants it to be our club, he's a very likeable and honest man. From what I could grasp him and Mr Sutcliffe are certainly no fools and the people who they have appointed will also help to make this a success. After the forum I'm very optimistic, and confident that OK can take this club forward. But he does need our help and the help of the Bradford community. It's our job as the hardcore fans to convince others to buy into this.

Sam your not thinking of gettig OK to be a fully paid up member of CAMRA?



I see that figure of 7500 as part of the overall budget may just be the optimistic top end, they will have looked at a low end cut off of say 4500, but the top end figure is out there to encourage Sponsors and Stadium Franchisees, so the negative poo pooing of it is not helpful, It seems as usual some things don't change.

TBH Dennis a guest beer on draught in the Trevor Foster Bar would be a superb idea. There's plenty of good independent breweries in the Bradford district who I'm sure would jump at the chance to feature in such a place. I'd hope that the contract would allow such an addition as Carlsberg/Tetley is frankly just pi55.

The question from a few pages ago is : are they budgetting for 7500 or hoping for. There is a world of difference.
Neither OK nor Gerry Sutcliffe are men of massive wealth compared to owners of some of our rivals, or even our previous owners. Thats unimportant. The key is that they have chosen to take this on for the right reasons. Gerry and Omar are very proud Bradfordians who see the value of sport in our city and the part that top level sports teams can play in inspiring others.

Omar is, as far as I am aware, still an associate director at Bradford City and he and others have worked very hard to make the kids in Bradfordf aspire to play for City. Hopefully this will be replicated at the Bulls.

I, like most on here are desperate for this to work, and in time, the BUlls be re-established as a top club. I just feel that I am now blighted by a total suspicion of every word that comes out of ODsal. That wound will take time and action from the club, to heal.

I am very intersetd to see the possibility of speedway returning and have chatted via twitter with Gary Havelock about it. As far as i am aware, he's been in touch with OK! I hope this is a goer. Bradford was the best track in the world until Caisley effectively booted them out (at the same time they were champions!) and i am sure that done properly there is moeny to be made, as there could be from stockcars and other events.

I wonder what the uptake of corporate places is like at the bulls? and how much spare capacity there is on gamedays. the Coral stand facility was seen as the gooe to lay the golden egg, and we put all ours in that one basket under Caisley.

I am a City season ticket holder, and for an extra £10 a match, I get a pub type meal (curry and chips/ lasagne and salad/ pie and chips) and a pint. as well as a good seat in the posh seats. perhaps this type of taster would be good?

Isaac... as I said earlier, please go talk to them! Rather than keep giving reasons for why you have reservations on here? With the greatest respect, the latter is much the easier option, for sure, but does not make any progress - something I came to realise a good few years ago, hence my getting more involved. They don't bite (although OK might inspire you enough to volunteer for something, so be warned!) and have LOADS of ideas, not least for dramatically increasing the utilisation of and income from the Coral Stand. And some of those ideas are pretty innovative - sure made ME sit up and take notice! We were talking to guys who have marketing in their blood here, from what came across. And they made it clear they will very much welcome any suggestions and ideas that improve the income position.

Sort of precisely the opposite of the previous administrations, in fact. So give them a chance first? I have.

Particularly Ilkley Brewery, except that's LS29....

And pays its business rates to Bradford...

Business is business.

I am sure getting 7500 season ticket purchases will be a difficult job after the events of the last few years, but it is the time when the fans need to step up and get behind the rebuilding of the team and club if they want to see competitive SL in Bradford again.
We have a new owner who pulled the club back from the edge of the abyss, we maintained our place in the SL, we seem to have managed to keep some of our rising young players with the exception of "Bondi" Burgess ( not that I blame him for wanting a bit of sun) - things which were no means certain for much of the summer. The new management also seem to be both more professional with the way they have gone about their work and seem to be 100% more open and engaging with the fans- so we need to get behind them and the team in numbers if we are going to see more progress.

It seemed to me that 7500 was roughly the number of home fans actually turning up in the second half of the season. And they had prepaid their entrance money. I'd be very surprised if full priced season ticket sales topped 5,000

Its more a case of who will have the expertise to assist FC in indentifying players, negotiating and re-negotiating with agents and juggling with the playing staff salary budget? Who will identify targets that are not that well known such as a Manuakafoa?

I read John Monie's autobiography a bit back and was surprised how much credit he gave Maurice Lindsay for taking all of those issues away from him and just dealing with them himself. He actually described Lindsay as the best judge of a RL player that he'd ever met. He also said that Lindsay devoted a huge amount of time to it. At the moment I cant see where that sort of expertise lies within the Bulls structure. And I dont think that FC should be expected to do it.

Add it to Duffys duties, he seems to do everything else !

Realistically if the last season is a yardstick, the figure of 7500 pre sold season tickets is achievable. It could even be the lower end of the scale...the average home gate for 2012 was 12,763 for league games , even excluding the magic weekend joint crowd with Leeds.

In percentage terms that would only be 58% of that average. With the exception of Leeds not many teams would bring 42% (5360) of the home average crowd would they! So I would think our core support is nearer 10,000 than 7500 that was suggested by one of the posters.

But it all depends on how well the pre sell is marketed in the next couple of months, before anyone can say for definate how well the Club will re invent itself for 2013..my feeling are watch this space..it's gonna be a revelation.

I suspect you are no Marketeer Isaac?
The three most important aspects when Marketing anything are very apparent when talking to the new CREW at Odsal. In other words they understand the DPEs of the situation ie the Desireable-Probable-Essential.

I cannot speculate what these figures might actually be, excepting that if you see one of my posts, I can put a very good case for 7500 being the probable figure. You are a Bulls supporter who should be banging the drum for the club. Not dumbing us down all the time.Have faith my friend...I have, as others in my circle have, like me they have been around the club for many years, and know what can be done at this great stadium.

Jonte don't waste your time, some posters on here aren't happy unless they've got something to moan about, I bet Geoff Lee (Glee) would be worried if some those with overactive imaginations decide to write books, he would have some competition!

I don't think its moaning, just genuine concern and caution after everything that's happened this season. If the expectations for season ticket sales prove to be over optimistic by say 2,000, that's a shortfall in income of £300-400K. Does the new owner have the resources to plug that gap, on top of what appears to be a very severe cut in Sky money? I honestly don't know, but I don't think its moaning to ask the question.

^^^^^

Did you not go to the Fans Forum? Do what Adey has already suggested to another pessimist go and ask OK you wll get anwsers to your concerns!

I think I would get OK's opinion that he will sell 7,500 full priced season tickets. My opinion is that he will not. I might be wrong, he might be right. But he will not be able to answer that question for a few months.

I've no doubt that OK will do a very good job on the marketing side and that he has many great ideas. But ultimately success for the Bulls will be driven by success on the field, in much the same way that Bullmainia in 1996 was driven by our CC Final appearance. Marketing alone will not save the Bulls. And the fact is that the new owner has zero experience in running a professional sports club.

I'm certainly more optimistic now than I was a few months ago, really hope that OK will transform the club. But I still think we're only half way out of the mire and will retain a degree of pessimism for the time being.

I appreciate you no longer reside in the UK, but you do remember the typical Bradfordian, don't you??

very downbeat and negative, woe is me etc....

it hasn't changed, still plenty of knockers about who would rather whinge/moan/put a dampener on everything than do or say soemthing positive!

Optimism may well sell merchandise & tickets in the build up to the new season. But unless that is quickly reflected in performances on the field that fans' optimism will quickly be dispelled as we have seen numerous times in boom & bust sports teams. IMO Cibaman's concerns are genuine & relevant, especially an apparent lack of RL nous & expertise at senior management level. A Gary Hetherington/Maurice Lyndsey/Chris Caisely type figure, on a quarter of the salary is required. Kath H is out of work?

You would only loose £400k if the 2000 don't turn up at all for the whole season. If they come to 50% of the games and pay £20 on the gate you will get more than £300k through the turnstile.

Sure it's good to have the cashflow from season ticket sales in the bank - but in broader terms the challenge is to get bigger average attendance not whether they buy season tickets or pay on the gate.