One of the most interesting sporting interviews I've heard was when he spoke to Radio Leeds about his career. I particularly remember him discussing differing attitudes to league and union players. He recalled the time he toured Aus with GB. At the time he was employed by NatWest as was the England RU captain (?Harrison) who was also on tour. Harrison was treated by a hero by the bank, given full time off with pay. Medders was told he had to use up his holiday entitlement and then take time off without pay. When Medders queried the different treatment he was told that it was because he was a professional. Medders pointed out that during the ru tour Harrison was being paid a daily alllowance which was greater than the league players were earning! Didnt do him any good

IIRC we had 7 points last time? And 5-7 = B License?

If no stadium progress and IF we finish outside top 8 this year and next year and if crowds stay at this sort of level (heaven forbid to both) then we'd gain 1 point for no cap breaches, lose 1 for crowds less than 10k, lose another for stadium less than 40% full and probably lose another for not being in top 8 on average (the criterion about making a positive contribution to the competition, where they indicate this is how they would likely judge that. That would mean 5 points and still a B License - just - I presume. So on that basis, and provided the goalposts not moved, you'd hope we would be safe.

My concern always remains that if enough of the current C-graders/aspirants continue to do well on the park, and if they get their new/upgraded stadia out of the blocks, we could conceivably find ourselves in a big scrum with them. What price then for the RFL saying they'd rather have a development area new club than than one in the middle of a load of other top-flight clubs geographically?

Get the OSV moving and we are a nailed-on A or B License and ought to be well safe under the current criteria.

What was the question and answers and 'disagreement' about Johnny Horton?

The riverside stadium which was built in no mans land only took 32 weeks to complete. Even the bigger Ashburton Grove (Emirates) was completed in 18 months.

It's a strange idea the RFL have proposed that's why I asked the question if the club were happy with the idea.

We seemed to get mixed messages on that? Macca seemed to indicate he was not happy with it, but didn't someone else then suggest otherwise?

That's right Macca said he wasn't happy with the idea that when he asked Medley across to explain it further. This is where it got a little confusing in one breath he seemed to think it was a good idea then in the next he didn't seem to sure.

It was when the club was on about junior development I asked why Johny hadn't been given the chance instead of bringing Rinaldi in.

We are talking about moving probably approaching a million tonnes of earth and hardcore into the hole to fill it (dense earth weighs about 2t per m3, there will be a lot of heavier hardcore involved, and we were told 350k m3 was needed so do the maths. Something that was not necessary at those other sites. There are also issues of piling and the like given the generally unstable nature of the site (old tip and all that). That is before any basic groundworks can begin.

How many tons on a big wagon? We were told anyway it was at least 200 trucks a day for 6 months if it all had to be trucked in from offsite. At 30t/wagon thats around a million tons anyway.

And none of this was required at other stadium sites - this one is unique.

For that reason, I'm happy to take the good counsel of Cibaman's mate.

How are the club planning to offset this substantial carbon footprint?

By gagging Leeds fans and preventing them coming out with hot air

What he said!



In fairness, the environmental implications of all the trucking were raised by the club as being a consideration.

However, the correct answer of course is that use of the extensive facilities at the OSV will lead to a dramatic increase in fitness levels of folk in Bradford, who will therefore spend less time sat in cars or on buses or on the sofa using loads of fossil energy, and more time using their own muscles powered by renewable resources - i.e food. Job sorted. Simples!

What was the answer mate? Isn't strong enough yet? I haven't seen him, is his body shape that of a boy or is he well on his way to turning into a well developed man?

Good work from those reporting the events.

I'd be interested to know the other sites that exist in Bradford for the Bulls to play at if they're unable to sort something out at Valley Parade though!

As for stadium construction, isn't Sunderland's Stadium of Light built in a bowl? Indeed I remember the previous Odsal redevelopment scheme had a stadium based on that one.

Medders' speech sounded good anyhow.

The time scale I quoted was more in response to the 3 years to build the ground statement. As for moving the earth off the hill in to the bowl I would think it would be more than likely a conveyor system would be used.

I sort of assumed that too - got visions of a big hill-muncher with its head in the hill and its 'arris hanging over the bowl like a big chamber pot! Bit like a giant Solomona on the burgers I guess?



But IIRC they are still 190k m3 short from the hill, to truck in?

We've finally worked it out: that comment about temporary additional stands at Dewsbury was only a partial red herring. The plan IS to go find and erect some temporary stands...but on a large open chunk of ground already available in the city, unlikely to be built on in the foreseeable future and that already has a passing resemblance to Odsal so we feel at home.

And to make the away fans' travel that much easier, its even only a minute's walk from both of the city's railway stations...

seeing as how richard dunn is going to flattened and sold for housing once OSV is complete then wouldnt it be easier to sell as a flat site? Thinking of the raised hill between the car park and rooley avenue. Its going to look odd if theres only an embankment at one side of road after hospital side is lowered. Couldn't that raised area be lowered at same time ( whilst R.Dunn is still in use) and trucked over road as part of the infill?. Wouldnt be 190k m3 worth but it would be decent chunk and would reduce costs of trucking infill in due to reduced distance.

thinking about it its a shame they have to keep dunns open till after OSV is complete as all the concrete in that building would be great hardcore and it will all need removing when RDs does go

Did they give any indication if the fans are to be asked about a preference for having standing areas in the new stadium?

No. See my earlier post for what they said re all seating and probability that plans will change over next six months and may include standing as part of that.

As its back at the start, I'm inclined to just remind everyone of my thoughts.



The key word of the night, aside from the OSV is 'long term'. It was heavily insinuated tonight that the "previous bloke" in charge of the club just wanted a quick fix at the top of the club rather than overseeing the whole infrastructure. Or in Medders words, the bottom of the structure collapsed.

The club were losing money, buying big names just to attract immediate success. And we're heavily paying the price now. But Steve McNamara has a far more logical approach to his coaching, and its going to take a while for the club to repair the damage thats been done over the years.

Patience is a virtue, Steve Mc and Medley care about this club passionately and they want to turn it around. However, it will take time, despite all the moans and groans. Look at Leeds, where they were 7/8 years ago and where they are now. 10 homegrown players in their GF winning team last year, that could be us in a few years with some genuine patience and hard work.

Also interesting to hear Hood say if Super League had been based upon financial stability over the last 2 years, we'd have won it hands down, another nice thing to hear.

I genuinely believe the club is making massive steps to turn the consequences around from the last few years.

By growing grass out of the side of the Odeon

IIRC he also said that once it had been filled it would have to be given time to settle before pouring in the concrete. He did say that building entirely new stadia such as the Stadium of Light was much quicker than building on an existing site.