Speaking last night with an employee of the Bradford club and a few senior figures connected with them at the SL Gf and was taken back a bit by the attitude somewhat.

Whist I'm right in saying we all expect Bradford to be strong and start the comp as favourites there was a real arrogance that came across with the Bradford employees stating that they felt only Leigh would give them a game in the Championship and they fully expect to be far too strong for us and everyone else and will return to SL at the first time of asking.

It was also stated that the Bradford club has turned the corner big time and is building a Dynasty again to return to the Elite level not just to make up numbers but to regain its place in the higher echelons of British RL. If true great for the game but highlights just how strong the level of competition we are stepping up against next term really will be.

One thing that did impress was the level of staff they had in attendance with people like Robbie Paul, Rob Parker and others in attendance entertaining sponsers.

Highlighted to me the sheer size of the operation they have and the resource they have in sales, advertising and marketing in comparison to a Championship club.

Still think our boys will smash them though

Well a strong Bradford is good for the game and they do have a far bigger potential fan base than we do.

I agree with your last sentance Andy.

Bradford are a great addition. It will be a fantastic and memorable season next year for sure

Andy, don't you think there has been an arrogance in some quarters around Leigh this season?

Honest answer mate, yes but I won't go any further than that.

100%

This middle eight scenario is very intresting and the threat of relegation adds to the intensity of the games in SL also.

Good answer.

Quote ="SRW1996"Speaking last night with an employee of the Bradford club and a few senior figures connected with them at the SL Gf and was taken back a bit by the attitude somewhat. Whist I'm right in saying we all expect Bradford to be strong and start the comp as favourites there was a real arrogance that came across with the Bradford employees stating that they felt only Leigh would give them a game in the Championship and they fully expect to be far too strong for us and everyone else and will return to SL at the first time of asking. It was also stated that the Bradford club has turned the corner big time and is building a Dynasty again to return to the Elite level not just to make up numbers but to regain its place in the higher echelons of British RL. If true great for the game but highlights just how strong the level of competition we are stepping up against next term really will be. One thing that did impress was the level of staff they had in attendance with people like Robbie Paul, Rob Parker and others in attendance entertaining sponsers. Highlighted to me the sheer size of the operation they have and the resource they have in sales, advertising and marketing in comparison to a Championship club. Still think our boys will smash them though '" Bradford are where they are by being a very badly run club, we have competitors who have hundreds of salespeople and turn over may times what we do - they just forget one simple principle PROFIT. It is easy to wave goodbye to debt via administration, how many times did they pull that card in recent years, and by doing so become financially stronger by not paying your creditors see www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/114 ... s/?ref=mre for a detailed report To maintain such a huge fixed cost base outside the team is another huge gamble by them, multiplying if they do not win promotion and hence the pressure on them will be massive. Personally I would want a strong Bradford within our sport, not many clubs can draw 20k+ gates and average 15k as they have done in the past decade Roll on next season

Quote ="SRW1996"Speaking last night with an employee of the Bradford club and a few senior figures connected with them at the SL Gf and was taken back a bit by the attitude somewhat. Whist I'm right in saying we all expect Bradford to be strong and start the comp as favourites there was a real arrogance that came across with the Bradford employees stating that they felt only Leigh would give them a game in the Championship and they fully expect to be far too strong for us and everyone else and will return to SL at the first time of asking. It was also stated that the Bradford club has turned the corner big time and is building a Dynasty again to return to the Elite level not just to make up numbers but to regain its place in the higher echelons of British RL. If true great for the game but highlights just how strong the level of competition we are stepping up against next term really will be. One thing that did impress was the level of staff they had in attendance with people like Robbie Paul, Rob Parker and others in attendance entertaining sponsers. Highlighted to me the sheer size of the operation they have and the resource they have in sales, advertising and marketing in comparison to a Championship club. Still think our boys will smash them though '" Bradford are where they are by being a very badly run club, we have competitors who have hundreds of salespeople and turn over may times what we do - they just forget one simple principle PROFIT. It is easy to wave goodbye to debt via administration, how many times did they pull that card in recent years, and by doing so become financially stronger by not paying your creditors see www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/114 ... s/?ref=mre for a detailed report To maintain such a huge fixed cost base outside the team is another huge gamble by them, multiplying if they do not win promotion and hence the pressure on them will be massive. Personally I would want a strong Bradford within our sport, not many clubs can draw 20k+ gates and average 15k as they have done in the past decade Roll on next season

Bradford will be strong next season BUT......looking at their squad I aint as confident for them as they seem to be as we will easily match them IMO.
London will be the dark horses with all the NRL players they seem to be signing - write them off at your peril.

Sorry my Leigh friends but I think the only team that will challenge Bradford for top spot is London. I expect Leigh to be very comfortable in 3rd and possibly to build on that the following season if as expected the money levels out a little bit for the top 2 or we see an increase in funding where by the top of the championship salary cap is brought somewhere near the SL one.

Not like you to jump the gun Greg.

Leigh's squad is not complete yet but you will know on December 1.

Similarly with Leeds Andy. (not that I'm saying they have ever been a badly-run club)

When I was trying to source programme material for the cup tie with them at LSV, I was staggered to see how many staff worked for them, (over 70) and they actually had more coaching staff than we had players too! (around 20-25 coaching staff)

They consistently make money and prop up a RU team as well Alan

We need to understand what we are and that the 'city' clubs have a bigger pool in which to fish, Leeds have a huge turnover in comparison to any UK RL club

Lets just be the best we can be, focus on us and see where we get.

I fancy us next year though, and that 3rd favourites tag seems to suit us

Quote ="maurice"Bradford are where they are by being a very badly run club, we have competitors who have hundreds of salespeople and turn over may times what we do - they just forget one simple principle PROFIT. It is easy to wave goodbye to debt via administration, how many times did they pull that card in recent years, and by doing so become financially stronger by not paying your creditors see www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/n ... s/?ref=mre for a detailed report To maintain such a huge fixed cost base outside the team is another huge gamble by them, multiplying if they do not win promotion and hence the pressure on them will be massive. Personally I would want a strong Bradford within our sport, not many clubs can draw 20k+ gates and average 15k as they have done in the past decade Roll on next season'" And of course Leigh will avoid a lot of the above problems by having a strong management team and not relying on the judgement of one person ?

Quote ="maurice"Bradford are where they are by being a very badly run club, we have competitors who have hundreds of salespeople and turn over may times what we do - they just forget one simple principle PROFIT. It is easy to wave goodbye to debt via administration, how many times did they pull that card in recent years, and by doing so become financially stronger by not paying your creditors see www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/n ... s/?ref=mre for a detailed report To maintain such a huge fixed cost base outside the team is another huge gamble by them, multiplying if they do not win promotion and hence the pressure on them will be massive. Personally I would want a strong Bradford within our sport, not many clubs can draw 20k+ gates and average 15k as they have done in the past decade Roll on next season'" And of course Leigh will avoid a lot of the above problems by having a strong management team and not relying on the judgement of one person ?

Can we lock this now before the insults start



Gonna be a long close season - hope everyone sticks with the positives rather than drag us down

It takes a Brave man to walk into a Lions Cage backwards .

Or even forwards - you should know that working in a circus

Hopefully I can get 5/1 for us again in 2015 !!

The post was not designed to create any negativity It was born from a bit of banter with a girl from Bradford last night and few Bulls guys. She/ they seemed to think they will find it easy next year but I'm sure the management team understand there will be some tough games to come in 2015.

I was telling her they haven't met anything like the mighty leigh and to be prepared for the battle, it was a good crac and nice people we had a good night as we all wanted Saints to win



Just a bit of banter but I was genuinely surprised at the staff and operation off the pitch they seem to have. It is impressive and like has been said as a big city club they should and I believe will be back to were they belong soon.

As for us I feel we can look at clubs like Castleford as similar size towns and potentially similar sized clubs and aspire like Maurice says to be the best we can be.

2015 will be exciting and some great RL and I can't wait.

I can't see past Bradford coming top next year, but not comfortably. There isn't going to be that much of a gap between us, London and Bradford. Third will do me nicely though.

The good thing about next season is the prize money isnt worked out from were you finish in the league......depends on were you finish after the middle 8 is finished. First thing is to finish in the top 4 as no matter if you finish bottom of that 8 the prize money is bigger than this seasons.
Get 1 of the 4 SL spots up for grabs and get the full SKY money - after that it works on a sliding scale with bigger prize money than this seasons.

Serious question for Leigh fans who is the 3 bulls players you'd want in our team?

Good, if Bradford are arrogant they'll loose. A Bradford coming in with their eyes open though will obviously be very difficult to beat. Think everyone will have a few losses next season, the top teams will beat each other and there's nearly always a few upsets, it really is hard for anyone to win at places like Derwent Park & the Tetley's Stadium.

Paul Clough, Lee Gaskell, Dale Ferguson will all be top quality players at Championship level. I would take any/all of them 3.

Well obviously I am biased but a full time Leigh team will not lose at either of those venues imo. Mind you the others might.