Total RL


Bradford Bulls have seen a move for a new player collapse after the deal was blocked by the RFL.

TotalRL understands the Bulls had agreed a deal to sign a young player from a Super League club earlier this month, but the move was blocked by the governing body due to concerns over funding.

The decision was made as the RFL didn’t have enough proof to suggest the Bulls were in a financial position to fund the deal on top of their current spend.

Each club is given a maximum spend limit based on several income streams. Exemptions can be made if a club can provide proof of funds that go beyond their maximum figure.

In the last 12 months, both Leigh Centurions and Widnes Vikings have had the same sanction placed over them following their own financial issues.

It means the Bulls will not be allowed to recruit any further players before the upcoming transfer deadline on August 9th unless they can prove they are in a position to fund any new contracts. Any outgoings would potentially help them in their attempts to facilitate incomings.

The news comes after it was revealed the Bulls are currently dealing with two separate County Court Judgements, though an official from the club confirmed to League Express the matters will be resolved in the coming days.

Earlier this month, the RFL also took a proportion of the club’s latest central distribution instalment to settle monies owed to two of their opponents in the Challenge Cup.

A state of affairs where the RFL own a speedway and stock car venue where no Rugby is played is ridiculous. Seems nailed on then doesn't it.

I'd second that, even though I have very fond memories of going to Odsal on Sunday mornings with my Dad and helping lay down the corners (not sure it would be allowed now to let a 10yr old help carrying heavy pallets loaded with turf). Roger Simpson was the groundsman at the time and rubbing shoulders with him like that used to blow my mind (I was a child afterall).

Plus its not exactly like Stock Cars and Speedway are going to be packing in the crowds or bring a huge financial backer with them either. Take a look at the venues they use and you can see ther is even less money in their sports than there is in RL.

Speedway have a national stadium built in Manchester but if you take a look at it, I doubt it would have ever come off had it not been for the adjoinging leisure facilities and 3G pitch (in the middle).

I just cannot see a viable solution to the existing stadium and for me the solution lays with the land over the road (Richard Dunnes).

The key is always going to be "multi-use" stadium. Bulls as anchor tenants, as much football in there as can be arranged. Surrounding area with 4G pitches - again multi use. Is there scope for covered cricket - nets, for off season?

My own personal desire would be for Horsfall to be developed further purely for athletics and BPA to be equal shareholders in a community stadium, but as they've just invested more into Horsfall, It may not be an option.

Problem with Horsfall is that its unlikely you would ever get a safety certificate to sign off on a decent capacity due to its loaction and objection from neighbours. This was one of the reasons the Bulls chose Dewsbury as a short term option (the other being to try and force the RFL/Councils hand).

There is no reason why Horsfall couldn't be developed as a local sports hub that would be home to BPA and Bulls development academies (along with other benefitial public bookings) and a community stadium with a modest opening capacity (with room to expand if required) for the Bulls and BPA to share for their first teams.

Take a look at the last council sports pitch audit and findings (2013) and you will find a bleak picture back then. If anything its got worse and the council have a duty to provide for their communities... I'd be surprised if much of the action points have actually been carried out.

When it's put like that....