rlT&A Storyrl

It was lost to the city due to pie in the sky stadium developments. Seems a good idea to get more use out of Odsal which would help with that funding gap we have from the lost Sky money.

It doesn't seem feasible to me. We've built the coral stand since then, and we've worked hard to try and get rid of the absurd in-goal areas. I don't think a modern club can have their in-goal repeatedly ripped up and a ridiculous gradient on it. Would Gale have to call Deryck Fox for tips?

Lads who played on the pitch when we had speedway told me they'd regularly be playing with nuts and bolts on the grass. That's a lovely way to reward some of the greatest athletes known to man, landing on a bit of debris and ripping your knee.

Grumble, grumble, moan, moan. So chalk me down for a no thanks then.

Sounds like a lot of practical hurdles to overcome first, but the club is right to be open to the idea pending further investigations.

Not sure how they'd solve the pitch problems in the corners or the fact that the pits have been replaced with a large stand!

what seemed curious to me was that the speedway promoter had applied direct to councli for planning permission. Comments from Sutcliffe seemed like club thought it wasnt possible and RFL werent commenting. Surely it should be the Club as sub lease holder, Or RFL as primary lease holder making the application?.

didnt we used to have removable sections of turf in the corners of the pitch to allow for the speedway?. Pretty certain this isnt the case anymore and doubt RFL would allow us to go back to doing that. We already get enough complaints about the slightly raised up corners as it is.

I think the answer could be to leave the pitch as it is & install these at the bends. Not having brakes the riders would have to judge it pretty well.

Bringing Speedway might be good for Odsal in the long term but not if it detracts in anyway from the Rugby playing surface. There are as has been said a lot of hurdles to get over, not the least the fact that the RFL own the lease whould that mean any rents to be paid to use the stadium would go to Red Hall? Also if a Bradford team came in at the third level of the sport would the crowds realy come? what are the average atendances for a National League team? Not 6000 to 10000 that came when we won the Elite League i'm sure.

suppose that depends on whether we rent the stadium year round or just on matchdays?. we have use of coral stand (which I believe is still a bulls asset?) and offices/shop year round but maybe we only get use of rest on the specific matchdays?. If thats correct then would explain why sutcliffe seems slightly unenthusiastic in article. Presumably if speedway did come back we'd make money from them using coral stand facilities but all other concessions and gate receipts would go to the speedway organiser, which could tie in with him making the planning application.

Perhaps it could just be incorporated into the OSV mkIII plans which should be available soon.


The days of Speedway at Odsal are long gone. Too many (very expensive) structural changes would need to be made.

That was my first thought too. Especially, as Gerry pretty much pooh poohed the idea at the recent forum, giving reasons why it wasn't really feasible. As the RFL have the primary lease and we have the secondary, I can't see how or who is going to OK this, even if some kind of outline planning agreement was given. Though, that said, I would have to think they wouldn't even apply without being sure they could get agreement from the leaseholder[s], so who knows what's going on in the background?

As someone who really enjoyed speedway in the past, at Odsal and and Halifax, I suppose I might be expected to be supportive, but in truth, I find the track a negative when watching rugby and, as far as Odsal is concerned, I'd prefer less space between the fans and the match, not more.

I'd love to see the Speedway back at Odsal. All seems to be a bit of mixed message coming out regarding this though. I think there is definitely an appetite for Speedway in West Yorkshire.

Seems like the guy putting application in hasn't bothered talking to RFL at least.
rlhttps://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/8649211/rfl-in-dark-over-speedwayrl

Seems a very strange carry on. Sutcliffe talking it down, RFL not consulted yet he puts a planning application in?

BRADFORD RETURN UPDATE

Thursday April 18, 2013
TONY Mole, the man responsible for opening and rescuing a number of Speedway clubs down the years, is continuing his plans to take the sport back to Bradford.

And Mole, based in Kidderminster, has revealed how he plans to revive a great name from the past should he be successful.

The sport was last staged at the world famous Odsal Stadium in 1997 when the Dukes, under sporting brothers Allan and Bobby Ham, swept to the Elite League title.

Odsal hosted two stunning World Finals in 1985 and 1990 when thousands flocked to the West Yorkshire venue.

Now Mole wants to bring the Dukes back - under the name of Bradford and Halifax.

He told speedwaygb.co: "I can confirm I have met Speedway Control Bureau officials at the stadium and it is possible to meet all their requirements for a new track.

"I have written to Bradford MBC with an application for certification of established use as the sport was held there previously with no known objections.

"I have exchanged drafts of licence agreements with Bradford Bulls Rugby League club although these are subjects to solicitors finalising them.

"The freehold is leased by Bradford MBC but when the Rugby League club hit problems this was taken on by the Rugby Football League Council. We would need their approval but we cannot discuss the matter further with them until we have planning confirmed.

"Not only can I confirm we can meet SCB requirements, but we can have a potential FIM track which would give is the option of major events once again.

"There is still a big demand for the sport in West Yorkshire. The Bradford and Halifax Dukes would attract plenty of interest.

"And I'd like to thank Allan Ham, the previous promoter at Bradford, for all his help and advice."

So doesn't look like the Coral Stand is a problem. Obviously some pits would be needed but they don't have to be as big as we use to have.

Anyone can apply for planning permission on anyone else's land. Even your own back garden and that's old hat

[i"I have exchanged drafts of licence agreements with Bradford Bulls Rugby League club although these are subjects to solicitors finalising them."[/i

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