Indeed it is, however if he is mentioning him already in his plans for next season it makes the move more unlikely. If Simmons wants to retain Pryce then it probably puts the cost on his signing higher.

Agree but if we are to get some form of compensation for Matt Orford then this would be sent to the Stobart Stadium as part of the release for Leon.

Like I say there are still three months and Simmons would like Leon to stay, but if we come in with an offer the St Helens board can't refuse then do the board upset the coach by selling Leon to Bradford or keep Leon for 12 month and then let him leave and join us for free next year?

I agree with that. It seems to be brewing up into a bit of a difficult situation (should Bradford make the right offer). Maybe a lot would depend on who Saints could either a) bring in to replace him or b) do they view Wheeler/Lomax ready or reliable enough to take the role.

I do agree that with the new stadium and such, the money may play on the Board of Directors minds.

I guess the question is how much do the St Helens board value Leon Pryce knowing that he has less than 12 month left on his contract.

With the new stadium not being ready for another year, you'll be down on turnover by having to pay Widnes stadium rent of the Stobart and I presume they'll be taking a % of all the bar and stall takings within the stadium, so if we do make a respectable offer -- £120,000 -- then yes it's going to be headache time for your directors.

From a Bradford point of view, I can't see us paying anymore than £120,000.

There are a lot of variables so I guess it would be stupid to rule out a decision in either direction. I do agree that around £120,000 would be the right price to make the board have to think about it very carefully. I guess only time will tell with this one but so far, the indications are that he's staying at Saints. As you said earlier, 3 months is a long time for things to change, so unless a definitive decision is announced we can only guess. The fact that the rumours are so strong and that neither clubs have dismissed them does suggest that there is definately some activity around the rumour.

Back to the question of the Pledge - and the perennial question faced by all clubs of all codes - what IS the secret of getting seats on bums and boots on terraces?

Ultimately, nobody knows, but I guess our experience (first Bullmania, now the Pledge) suggests that one thing that can work is to create a feelgood factor. Find a way to do it and take a flyer on it. You might fall on your arrse, but that's the aim.

Secondly, that you can create a feelgood factor even when your team is doing gash. Wigan demonstrated that too in recent times. You can be near the bottom of the league yet still fill the ground.

Third, and specifically talking about the Bulls, we obviously DO have in Bradford and district a large number of fans who when all is said and done DO want to come and support their team - even if they choose to stay away; they don't need that much of a reason to come back.

I have heard it said that sports fans are the eternal optimists, and I wonder if therefore the key is to give them the reason to be optimistic and positive that they seem to clearly be searching for, as an excuse to justify spending their hard-earned again?

True, but his was more to him being home sick and wanting to go back to the other side of the world. A couple of hours over the pennines isn't really comparable.

It would seem that Leon doesn't like the two hour journey over the pennines.

Yes, Leon still lives in Bradford.

Well i'm not sure if being homesick will be that much of an issue? The 2 hour journey's to training and matchdays must be a pain in the but he's managed it okay the past few years. If it's more a case of him wanting to end his playing days with Bradford, it may be slightly more likely that he will honour his existing contract, if the saints board decide that is what they want.

He's reasons for leaving aren't the issue. What is, is the fact that the Bulls took the line that Orford was a contracted player and "officially" was coming back to Bradford.

This is a similar line to the one Saints are giving about Pryce. I'm not saying he WILL sign for Bradford, but I wouldn't rule it out.

I agree, it would be stupid to rule out either as they are both possibilities.