What do we really know about the Koukashes?
We are led to believe he is a super-star of a businessman - as such he should be relied upon to spot a good business opportunity, shouldn't he?

First it might be prudent to question his business acumen in the matter of his massive "investment" in Salford RL. Is this really a good business opportunity?

Most of us old hands remember the Brian Snape days, with the multiple innovations he brought to the club - Friday night rugby with plenty of activity and attractions for the rest of the family and for all after the match for example.
He poured money into developing the team with some memorable signings, as well as the infrastructure. Reasonable crowds lasted for a few years, but it didn't last.

The inescapable fact is that Manchester just isn't a "Heartland" area - it's a football area, and with City and United on offer, is it any wonder?
So would a good business investor be really wise to persist in the face of this?
I think not.

Then on to the Bulls and their appalling mess!
Is Bradford really a good business proposition either?
With poor attendances added to the afore-mentioned "money-pit" of a stadium?
I think not.
Even worse than Salford I would say.

So who are these Koukashes?
Are they really interested in Superleague, or are they looking for a convenient drain down which to pour untold wealth?
What is their motivation?
How can a good businessman, or (even more important) his wife justify this reckless lifestyle?

I trust we lifetime supporters will view the affair with the benefit of hindsight.
Time will tell!

Perhaps the major difference being that Paul Caddick had something tangible to invest in when taking ownership of the Headingley complex.

Probably right, though one could argue that Odsal, given it's situation near the motorway might be an investment opportunity if you had enough money.

Obviously Leeds Rhinos, being in Leeds is a better investment proposition than just about any other RL club.

Though Mandy Koukash's financing was supposed to be coming from a Liverpool hotelier/gangster?

Who knows. I thought it was her and her husband's joint account!

I'd be careful what you say on t'internet without any proof.

There was a time when I'd be saddened by the loss of any RL club but I've no sympathy whatsoever for failed, brand named, SL franchises unwilling to take responsibility for their own basket-case SL mediocrity. It's either SL or nothing for them, such is the level of arrogance displayed by both club and fans. Always insistent they must dine from the top table or they will die... now give us our RFL handouts, our Sky money, etc... blah, blah, blah. Not forgetting their previous history of screwing over other struggling clubs and offering no support whatsoever rl(eg, London)rl.

Franchised mediocrity is over. Take your medicine. That's what the return of P&R is for. Oh, and feel free to return as Bradford Northern.

rlSo long, it's been good to know yourl.

A statement from the man who started this whole mess

rlOh Mandy, well you came and you gave without taking, and I sent you away, oh Mandy, and you kissed me and stopped me from shaking, and I need you today, oh Mandy...rl

WHY?

The last thing Bradford need is another alleged saviour, what they need to do is live within there means. This off season they were still signing high profile players despite the fact they were on the verge of going bust. As a club they are such an example of how things should not be run, when they were wining everything why did they not invest in the infer structure?. I have heard comments about the fact Paul Caddick is Leeds sugar daddy, rubbish, Leeds are run and I believe are the only Rugby club of either code that makes money each year.

The RFL should let Bradford go and start afresh in the championship.

Is that the same bunch off buffoons who, along with lots of other fans, urged Bradford fans not to throw their money down the toilet by propping up what was clearly a business in dire straits 2 years ago? Or the same bunch of buffoons who made the brave decision not to prop-up their own ailing club and owner of the time without a clear understanding of where that money was going & take the risk of seeing their club fall out of the top flight but survive rather then see their or other fans risk their hard earned cash? Or is the current owner who is the buffoon, who having rescued the club from another poor financial position took hard decisions, sold players, made savings & cut the cloth of their club to suit while the previous owners of Bradford did not do any of those things and then also expected yet another bail-out option from the game?

I feel desperately sorry for Bradford fans that, having been conned out of plenty of cash already, might now see their club either die forever or have to start again unless a new investor can bed found, but equally some fans need to take a long hard look in the mirror!

I'm actually on about the buffoons who post tripe on the Bulls board

Whilst Bradford do need to live within their means that generally can't happen immediately in a business and especially a sporting one. They have players already on contracts, you need to move the expensive players on or renegotiate their deals. That doesn't happen immediately and the club requires an owner to fund losses until they can run within their means.

There also isn't an option of Bradford going bust and starting again in the Championship. If anything it would have to be Championship One but how would a "new" Bradford make money compared to the old one? Admittedly free of debt but it would still need to play at a ground they don't own, still need to pay players and staff and do this on significantly smaller budget without Sky money.

Whatever happens to Bradford they'll need a financial backer in the short to medium term.

This new geezer Green seems to have bought the club now. So presumably Mandy is out of the picture?

I don't care... I'm still signing the petition.

This Green chap can't even spell his first name correctly so God only knows how he'll get on running Bradford Balls.