Why do I get the feeling that the RFL are going to sanction the Batley game this weekend, only for mother nature to come along and ride roughshod over it - the forecast for this weekend makes grim viewing

It's amazing. After 8 weeks and almost 700 forum pages the club still has no owner. Or indeed being closer to a new owner.If it was a real bull we would have been prosecuted by the RSPCA for prolonged cruelty. It's about time the RFL got their finger out one way or another.

I find it difficult to believe that the RFL can sanction the game.

If the RFL decides on their preferred bidder this week, there wouldnt be time to complete the formalities by Sunday. So who would employ the players and be responsible for their welfare? If one of the players breaks a leg, whose responsibility would it have been to arrange insurance? To ensure that the players had adequate medical staff. Who would be liable for Statutory Sick Pay for the player?

What happens to the "Bulls" proceeds from the game? In which bank account is it initially banked? If it is intended for the players, who is liable for ensuring the correct deduction of tax and national insurance? What happens if the current Administrator makes a claim for the cash?

Who will be sorting out admin arrangements for the game? For example, who will be arranging for and paying for the team bus? Would those administrators then have some sort of claim to be employed by the new owners?

It seems like a legal minefield. I cant believe that any new owner would want in any way to be associated with the game.

Well I've checked the forecast for Batley on Sunday and it looks like a gorgeous crsip winter day.

Possible risk of a frozen pitch but temperatures above zero.

Despite all that Cibaman's points are worth noting.

This is pretty much my thinking too. Of all the options that seem to have been mooted, none seem that palatable to me but by the same token I'm not sure what any perspective owner can say to change my mind, other than "I'm being bankrolled by Bill Gates". Lamb in particular seems to be Bulls Chairman-bot 5.0 and seems to be speaking the same way Green, Khan et al before they took over. Ok he's done nothing wrong in what he's said, but sadly for him he'd have to work over a very cynical bunch.

Also would have to agree with the fact that I no longer have time for anyone coming in and saying "the fans have to do their bit" - if that's asking for money, directly or indirectly.

Quite frankly I'm utterly tired of the whole thing and a small part of me wishes the season would go ahead without us as it would make it a lot easier to deal with the fact I have very little desire to watch us play this year.

2000 posts

Some good points - although I don't think the Administrator would have any grounds for a claim for the cash. The players contracts with the soon to be liquidated company were torn up, the Administrator therefore has no control over the players or any monies donated to them.

Andy Hunt, reporter for the Dewsbury reporter says:

"Spoken to @BatleyRLFC this morning and they remain hopeful Sunday's game against a #Bradford Select game will go ahead.
The RFL have sanctioned @BatleyRLFC v #Bradford Select. The only stumbling block is if Bradford's players can get insurance in time.
In a terrific gesture, @BatleyRLFC will donate a share of the gate receipts from Sunday to #Bradford's players/staff if it goes ahead."

Is that an achievement?

Yes. Quality of the achievement is somewhat debateable...

Sounds promising but who is paying for the insurance.