I find it strange that people complain about having to, "pay for a team".

I mean, I guess they realise that running a team costs money and [isomeone[/i has to pay that money or the team won't exist. From what we've heard so far, the owners don't seem to have enough to fund it and our long lost Sugar Daddy seems unlikely to turn up any time soon. Which leaves? Well, I agree it's more usual for a business to shell out and then charge the customer to buy the product, but in this case the business hasn't got the funding, so I guess it's 'crowd funding' or nothing.

My major caveat is the case to be heard in January. I feel far less inclined to fund our former owners than the current ones and once this bag of worms is out of the way would maybe be the time to look at it? Assuming, we haven't hocked the lot to pay off the legal fees..

I find it strange that people repeatedly miss the point I'm making, but hey ho.

Totally understandable viewpoint. Everyone will have differing views and there is no right and wrong just whats best on a personal level for the individual and what they feel they are getting from it

No, your point is clear and eloquently expressed, Dilligaf.

I can understand people taking this attitude - my own position, all be it for different reasons, is a bit vague too. However my point (which you seem to have missed?) is that there is no-one else going to pay and when push comes to shove, if WE, the fans, don't pay, there will be no club, 'cos sure as hell no-one else is going to.

Apologies, I was unnecessarily crude in my response.

I get your point entirely. That's why in one of my earlier posts, I said well done to those who are willing to give up their money and keep financing the club. I even said they'll be the ones that keep it alive.

The problem is that there are lot of fans who as well as being lovers of the club, also need to see what they're getting for their money. And when the line keeps getting trotted out from various areas that the fans will have to be the ones paying for the team (as much as it's obvious, as without fans, the club has no money), it gets old. The club isn't a charity, as much as some people will no doubt see it as such. It's a business that needs to offer it's customers value for money. If the prices are wrong, then just like any other business, they will lose customers and miss out on that money. If McDonalds suddenly started charging £20 for every item on their menu, they soon wouldn't have any customers and would soon be out of business. And if the club get the price wrong, and fans don't purchase because of that, there is only one person to blame, and it certainly isn't the fan (customer) not paying the money.

The club has relied for far too long on the fans' love, loyalty and even guilt. They need to start realising that it's not a neverending well and slowly but surely everyone is going to hit their limit on that. Then they'll regret not treating their fans as customers instead of charity donators.

I probably took far too long to make a very small point there, but such is my style...

The point you have made to me previously is essentially "If you want the fans to finance the club, that's fine. But do your bit first and play fair, rather than just coming to me cap in hand"

Everyone knows that without a rich owner it's down to the fans and sponsors to finance the club. However it's down to the owner to sell the club to attract fans and sponsors. Very few people will stump up no matter what. Certainly not enough to get close to breaking even.

Best post on this thread

If the club have ANY, even vague, hope of getting close to 3000 Season Ticket sales they are simply going to HAVE to do more than appealing to 'you should be glad to have a club after all the crap over the last few years'

first point: even if we rather than the RFL are made responsible for all the unpaid wages being claimed, time will be given to pay. It is not in those players interests to bankrupt the club as that is self-defeating. I would not be happy at that sort of millstone around the clubs neck, but still better than no club.

so what do we expect when we pay money for our ticket? A team that can play a bit, and plenty of wins. If those are the primary reasons, then next season should be far better value than this year. I would be against paying money to owners that promised glory tomorrow. The message from the current owners intentions are the opposite:

Next season the team will be a core of home growns that want to play for the club, with a balancing selection of experienced players whether full or part time.

Next season the team will be chosen, not what was left over.

Coaching team chosen for a combination of development/long term and game day/short term skills (first is rumoured, the second a wish, but would be consistent with the owners intentions). Consistent coaching from 1st team to the nippers.

Reserves team so all the squad are match sharp when replacing injured first team players, and players returning from injury can likewise get up to match sharpness.

A full pre-season with the players.

So the way I see it is a season ticket holder will be getting what they have not had this season, and they will be helping the development of our lads that were on our terraces as kids to become superleague players with the Bulls. short term gain for a long term gain, win/win, chicken AND egg, call it what you want.

Of course nothing guarantees that with those factors we will have a stylish skilful winning team, but there is a strong probability that they will.

Ready to buy your season ticket, FA?

Interesting discussion but my questions are:

How much does it cost to run our club - everything and everybody?
If we have the same 30 first team players + the other teams at the club does it cost less if we drop to L1?
Does the running of the club - less players cost less if we drop down to L1 or is it the same?
Is there roughly a minimum amount that is needed to run the basic club whichever division we are in?
Is there a minimum ST price we MUST charge whatever division just to keep the club afloat?

whatever the answers it does seem to me that the current price - about £14 per game stood up must be pretty close to the minimum (in my mind) that they can ask for if we have any chance of building the club back up.

To me, it all comes down to paying the money up front again with our recent history of letting us down.
They clearly do need the cash over winter but we are all very and rightly cautious.
For me I have decided I will take that £149 gamble and try and help my club and give my guarded support to Chalmers - but I will pay by Visa just in case!
This way I have done the best I can and hope Chalmers does his best.

I won't be buying one but I'll be going to most games

Same here

This

I'll be buying one using my credit card, so that I can seek a refund from the cc company when (or if) the Bulls don't get through to the start of next year

Seems fair, and down to the owners to market the club and team.

Given the nucleus of the side that is being formed for next year, I'm tempted to consider purchasing a season ticket.

However, I think I'll hold off on actually buying it until I've seen the club make it through Xmas and the New Year with the squad intact

I'm slightly more upbeat than I was thanks to us re-signing Chisholm and keeping Oakes. However there is still some way to go. I'll wait to see who the coach is going to be and the shape of the rest of the squad.

Is there a hint of something in that mate? Hope so

Agree with that.

They do seem to be trying so that may be that will be enough to tip the balance. I'm still not sure personally - I mean, I know that if a team is playing here I'll be there watching, I guess that's pretty much a given seeing as I've been coming that long I wouldn't know what to do otherwise. The bit in the balance is whether I by a ST before the January court case. I know I'll get my money back if they go 'arris in the air, but there's a little bit of 'once bitten twice shy', and don't want to be caught twice...

Same here Bulliac.

Will the case be resolved by the start of next season?

Well they've started up with the "Early Bird" bit on the prices. If the club is planning on hiking the the price of a ground entry season tickets beyond £149 for League One rugby, I'll have to think twice regardless of the team that's put together

This is still the crux of where I am.

Signings of Chisholm, Oakes, Hodgson, Kirk & Butterworth, I'm very very happy with. Hallas on board too, it's starting to look a decent squad so far. But honestly, who's playing for Bradford isn't really my big deal. It's still that if you pay early despite this court case hanging over the head and bearing in mind what happened to those who paid early last year, then you can have a lower quality of rugby league opposition and potentially less games for the same price. If you don't risk your money and pay early, then later on (unspecified when), you can pay MORE for that lower quality and potentially less games.

I just can't see how they can justify that as good customer service. It's once again relying on the charity aspect rather than selling it properly to their customers.

Now that those prices have been announced and can't be lowered, I'm afraid there's not much that's going to sell it to me from the club's point of view. Signing Cameron Smith & Paul Gallen admittedly may do, but some may just argue that's unrealistic. The calibre of players we'll be able to sign isn't going to sell it to me, because I can't look past that idea that I'm being asked to pay the same or more, for less benefit, so effectively being ripped off.

I'm glad we're still signing these players as I will be at a number of away games next year cheering on the team. But I need more than just a good League 1 team in Bradford shirts to convince me now I'm afraid. A restructure that sees us in the Championship would do it, because it would take away my protest of paying the same/more for less. I wouldn't be doing any more, it would be paying the same for the same (arguably better as not starting on -12). But that is out of the club's hands. The bit that was in the club's hands was the price, and it's my opinion they've failed on that front.

So you keep saying over and over again.