The only difference there is that Wakey managed to find a buyer before they were liquidated then? But ultimately, the entity running the club has changed, the same as it has at Bradford. That's my point really, the ownership (the Ltd company) I see as separate to the 'club' itself.




I don't think this is in the RFL operation rules anywhere, is it? Doesn't it say something along the lines of that punishment is an the RFL's discretion, hence the hefty points deduction.




Only time will tell really, you can't really have a pop at them for something that hasn't happened yet.

First of all, taking any business from administration is massively different to starting a new business, albeit in the same premises but, I know that you are aware of this.

Certainly Wakefield were informed that they would be relegated to the third tier if they "started over" although we will never know if this was a threat of actually going to happen.

Regarding Odsal, The RFL should be hammered over their handling of this issue.
The "secret" loan/lease deal, that only came to light some while after the event, has proven to be a costly error and it is right and proper that questions are asked.
Although the "£700,000" that was given to Bradford, in return for "control" of the lease, disappeared straight into the ether and left Bradford paying substantially more rent to play RL at Odsal, something that "New Bradford" will still have to deal with.
This was clearly a shocking piece of "business" by The RFL and yet nobody has been held to account.

But a new business was set up. There was a new company incorporated to run the Wakefield club and the old one dissolved, it's all there on companies house. That's my point really, (and it's not me picking at Wakey as my club were in an awful position in this regard in 1999) is that all that's changed is the Limited company running the club, whether through liquidation, or a 'sale' to a new Ltd. The outcome is the same, and the club are run by a new Ltd.

That's why I've always seen a club (the fans, the traditions, the history etc) as separate to the legal entity that happens to be running the club.

Like I said originally, everyone has their view on it and I'm not saying I'm right, it's just how I see it and I have no issue with Bradford continuing in the Championship, but with the hefty points deduction.




You won't get any arguments from me on that front regards to the way the RFL have handled the whole Odsal thing.

I think you are hoping for a lot there WC. The RFL will deal with any club how they see fit. Bulls are obviously seen as a sleeping giant in the game who (if they get back into SL) will potentially top 10,000 average attendances. Lesser clubs won't get the same treatment because they are deemed as less important to the overall competition.

We know franchising is gone but in a sense some of the old criteria still resonates within the game. Attendances, facilities and catchment area are all key to having a strong Superleague. I'm not a believer in conspiracies but we all have our own ideas of who the RFL would like dining at the top table. Bradford are one of those clubs and rightfully so IMO.

The difference as I see it is that someone was willing to save the history and position of Wakefield by buying the club (as previous owners of Bradford also did), nobody was willing to buy the history and position of Bradford this time so they should have lost it (who knows if the RFL will allow the new club to retain the history).

What are you expecting to happen? How do you know what internal reviews have taken place?

If that type of decision (to throw 700k into a black hole) had been made in any other business, that person would be gone but, it seems to be, above all else, the thing that The RFL are determined to keep.

You make it sound like someone woke up one morning & thought "I know, I'll give Bradford Bulls £700k". None of us know the extent of the discussions that took place prior to or after the decision. I deal with contracts up to 100x that figure. People make good decisions & poor ones. The idea that individuals are sacked for every poor decision is rubbish. Anyone stupid enough to make rash, uninformed decisions without discussion deserves to be given the boot however.

Interesting quotes from Richard Lamb about how amateurish the RFL are compared to the RFU. He doesnt sound happy.

Regards

King James

It sounds more like he's thrown his teddy out of the pram because his plan for the club wasnt worth the ink he used to write it out on the back of a fag packet

It does sound like that. As it does for the other bidders corroborating the story.

The R.F.L get plenty of stick over all this and part of it rightly so , but the main culprit from years gone by who was happy to take all the credit in the glory years hides away from it all .

Yeah, the way the RFL keep knocking his bid back just because he can't provide proof of funds. Totally amateurish

Was it a poor bid? I know he was claiming he would bring todd carney to the club but that's about it

Regards

King James

It was more to do with the lack of communication I think which I agree with him. But then we know the RFL are light years behind the RFU anyway

Regards

King James

Why don't you take your Rah Rah love in over to some Rugby union forums.

Regards


Everyone on RLFANS.com

Todays news in very brief summary

Geoff Toovey announced as new coach.
26 Players signed up.
Cloth Cut
Deserve no Sympathy
Leon Pryce Captain
Jas Athwal is new Chairman.

Toovey wouldn't have come cheap, and seems to be at odds with the 'cloth cutting', I can't see him coming over to coach a part time bunch, surely he's being given some money to spend...?

You would hope the entirely new regime ordered the right size of cloth rather than making a decision to order too much, cut it and then throw what they don't need away.

Even if he has money to spend its to late to throw a fit structured team together.

Maybe he'll be playing scrum half?

Should I know Jas Athwal (before I google)?

THey've managed all that very quickly, it's like they have been planning this for a while, almost like they knew who would be given the nod

Local businessman. There's no reason why you would.

Apart from the fact that if you DO google there is a bit of a surprise as this guy shares his name with the previous Facebook Chief Accountant.