@BullsMedia: At last a voice of sense who is willing to speak out against self centred, small minded people. #EamonnMcManus

Given that our latest D day is tomorrow, McManus' comprehensive analysis of why we should remain in Superleague is heartening. He is one of the most influential owners and certainly his business record outside the Saints franchise is one that should ensure his views are respected by the other clubs.
Aside from his dig at other clubs ("glaring conflicts... interested in their players and even in their spectators and sponsors"icon_wink.gif his conclusion is a reassurance to all our fans--
"how can we possibly now dispense with a club which has a ready made and entrenched supporter base...capable of forming a strong foundation for a viable long term business"....
and ...." the continuance of Bradford's licence would enhance the sale process... into the right hands".
To those few who come on this forum and sneer at our plight please read the following
..."As long as the new owner is fit for purpose, we are strongly of the view that they retain their Super League license"
Incidentally I was unaware that Saints had donated away ticket sales to the club.
So a big thankyou from me for that practical help along with the help given by the Rhinos Wolves and Giants

Does anyone have a link to the full article?

Sorry beefy--it's probably my limitations as a techie but I can't find one .
RL Express site has the headline but you have to subscribe to read full article. Saints website doesn't mention it and T & A site refers to it but no details.
Other comments I didn't mention in above post:
"retain on ongoing basis not merely for balance of season"
" they are a powerhouse.... massive contributor to success over 16 years... a lesser entity without them"
" world renowned brand ... loyal supporter base of 10,000 passionate and knowledgeable fans... envy of many existing clubs"
" fans shown enormous commitment... more than shown Bradford to be a city that wants and totally deserves Super League"
He is a "strong proponent of less that 14 teams ...but strongly believe Bradford key and essential member in any scenario"
"with hindsight possibly too much resource and time attempting to take to new areas"
" many clubs including Saints have been loss making... Bradford more unfortunate as not underwritten by directors/shareholders"
"other clubs underlying position same or worse.... there but for the grace of god"
" any future initiatives will have a much better chance of success with Bulls than without them"

Hope that gives you a flavour.

www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/2241 its there on the Saints site... fantastic article.. i want to shake the guy's hand! Hell, even hug him!!

www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/2241 its there on the Saints site... fantastic article.. i want to shake the guy's hand! Hell, even hug him!!

How much will it cost other SL clubs to keep this bankrupt club alive.

So that you can keep shaking this guys hand , AND hugging him, (yukky)

Does Rugby League really need more clubs like bradford ??? or lessd040.gif

Interesting to see when times get tough, players start playing, and fans start turning up !
(Just a coincidence I suppose

)

Nothing.. he said IF (and rightly so) fit and proper owners come in...

So, on one hand we have McManus, a successful businessman who clearly has a good grasp of the facts and is knowledgeable about the situation involved in running a SL club and on the other hand we have no-nothing gimps like you.

Gee, which side should people listen to?

Eamon McManus?

Isn't he one of those parties, like the RFL and Gary Hetherington, who posters on this board assured was a Great Satan hellbent on Bradford's destruction when he is in fact, like almost everyone else in the game, bending over backwards to help make sure the club survives?

Are you able to back that statement up with specific facts regarding posters criticising McManus?

yes I have to agree with you, early in the season when it got tough with all the injuries unlike last year the team kept playing and winning including when we only had 18 fit players to choose from, and now we are almost back to full strength they are still winning, so quite rightly we would be 6th without the points deduction. And its strange, success on the pitch does breed success on the terraces.

So even in the early part of the season this squad were showing they had the right attitude and were not going to give anything up.

Yeah, ok. [urlhttp://m.rlfans.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=532155&start=1191[/url

Dear mods please don't ban this clown he is (probably unintentionally) very amusing

The full text of McManus's missive is extraordinary in its scope.
Inter Alia other points - In a major respect he has broken ranks, with the privacy normally adhered to by Super League Chairman, in saying
"Certainly, not too much store should be placed on the individual views of other Super League clubs as there are glaring conflicts here with some clubs being interested in their players and even their spectators and sponsors

Indeed BMU. And I am sure I am not the only one to feel that caveat, quoted by VanGinger above, may be pretty key to his massive endorsement today?

It has been pretty widely reported that Gary Hetherington has apparently been a big supporter of us behind the scenes, and that certain other chairmen, such as Mr Lenaghan, have likewise been supporters. The general view has been that some other clubs have been rather the opposite, and Mr McManus alluded to that in his statement as well as implying one reason why that might be. Mr McManus has, until now and rightly or wrongly, not been reported as being amongst our strongest supporters. If that is indeed so, then I suggest his statement today - his ringing, soaring, emphatic endorsement in fact, subject to his key caveat - surely has to be seen as very significant?

One day, I think - I hope - it will come out what has been going on behind the scenes, and just why the RFL and various other parties have acted as they have. And then, I would not be at all surprised if we find that we see method where hitherto many saw only madness. I also have a feeling that, in years to come, Mr McManus' statement today may well come to be seen as a significant development indeed.

I can only pray that I am on the right lines.

That can only be, by dint of geography, Leeds, Hudds, Wakey and less likely, Cas.

If it was Leeds it would be a shock. And he says club*s* - is he implying that despite their gesture of this past weekend, Huddersfield are the club after our sponsors and fans?

Surely all clubs are chasing everybody elses fans and sponsors all the time?

Fairly certain I've seen SL club adverts in the likes of Leigh,Swinton,Fax,Batley,Dewsbury,Fev,Keighley, so whats the difference?

The difference is that while fans have a whinge about it happily, it is unusual to see a senior official from a club criticise the dealings of other clubs which do not directly affect his club. It's also pretty off-message from the previous RFL/SL line.

Well considering we would assume Saints arent chasing Bulls fans and sponsors, then other clubs gaining from a possible Bulls demise would adversly affect Saints

Might as well have put 'because Saints always beat Bulls in cup finals'...

I'm a Saints Fan and I've got to say that I hope you lot come through this in one piece. Me and my family enjoy our away trips to odsal. Its a great atmosphere at your ground and the fans are friendly. It would be a tradgedy if you go out of the competition when we have the likes of London/ Catalans and their 3 away fans who do nothing for the atmosphere. At least you bring some away support. And your not a bunch of animals like Hull/Hull KR. Who should be ushered into cages when they arrive just to be on the safe side. LOL

I have always rated McManus, big time. He is a shrewd operator, and he saved Saints and turned the club around, not least (as far as I can see) by bringing in capable people.

I was quite upset when I got the impression he was angling after our downfall. It seemed out of character.

Having read his wonderful, and so very powerful piece today, I don't know why I was worrying. The man is a hero. He deserves the freedom of the City.

Great piece from League Express and McManus and I wholeheartedly agree with him.

The only bit that lets the article down is his insistance of reducing SL to "less than 14 clubs". Bulls would have a lot more support to stay in SL from clubs like mine (Cas Tigers) , clubs that are at risk of getting the chop if this was cleared up.

Shock horror - some SL chairman want to see Bradford stay in SL!!!







ATEOTD it doesn't really matter what the opinions of the chairmen are - it's all going to come down to the viability of the business plans of the bidders being considered by the RFL. If there's a sustainable plan involving a reasonable CVA and without "silly" season ticket pricing then IMHO the Bulls will retain their licence.

On the other hand, if the "best" business plan involves liquidation of the current company and no tangible payments towards the creditors, then I wouldn't be surprised if the Bulls don't have a SL licence in 2013 & 2014.

The most important thing that needs to come out of this whole process is for Bradford's professional rugby league club to simply have a future, rather than a future that MUST be in SL. If the powers that be decide that the SL licence will be forfeited, there will still be the ability for the club to regain it at a future date. Surely this is far better than a "Super League or bust" mentality!

If Bulls lose the SL Licence, it's no way back and likely oblivion in my view. Always has been.

The only way back would be with an owner with some real Brass. But such a bidder will not want to see the club relegated in the first place. So it seems to me we will either keep the Licence or disappear.