That's my interpretation. A lame duck side will take the field in Feb...maybe. If that's the plan then it's goodnight from me.

Given the RFL have some shrewd people aboard, I'm struggling to see how on earth they came to the decision that they did.

The Championship is a mean comp, yet here we are, less than 3 fscking weeks from kickoff, maybe some day soon about to start a club, let alone a team, from scratch, no money, minus 12, yet supposed to fulfil a season of fixtures in that comp?

What were they thinking of?

I've no idea. I note Sadler and co in the LE are saying today we all now need to "look forward" and "get behind the club". Bit optimistic I thought.

And there is the new name - BRADFORD PLATITUDES

It's like being asked to get behind a bus shelter that hasn't been put up yet.

Trying to give themselves some chance of cashing out on the Odsal lease at some point. Every RFL decision needs to viewed through that prism, they have mostly unrealised investment. Add in the disruption to the fixtures and it makes more sense.

I would suggest the whole crux of the conversation came down to...

Ralph: What's the best way to not cock up all our fixtures and actually sell some Bash tickets?
Nige: If Bradford were still in the Championship.
Ralph: Yeah, but your mates at Halifax won't like that, along with any other clubs who won't be getting a half-decent following from Bradford visiting this year.
Nige: Well what about if we deduct them 12 points too? That way they still end up in League 1 eventually, but we don't have to miss supper while we try and rejig everything.
Ralph: You're a genius Big Man.

If we get behind them and look forward, all we'll see is the back of their heads.

Confucius

If (and it's looking increasingly like it) we're going to be a lame duck team that are certs for relegation who's seriously likely to still go to the games? I see myself as a diehard but I'm not up for paying to watch a side put together simply to avoid inconveniencing the governing body.

To have any hope of attracting any kind of support there has to be a serious attempt to stay up. If the new owners (whoever they are) aren't serious about that then they might as well stay in New Zealand.

I won't be going this year if they're accepting relegation from the kick off.

Agreed. I could see myself popping along to the odd game just to take in a match, but generally, I don't think I'd be interested at all until next season when we can make an attempt at League 1. Whilst I'd totally understand the reasons for giving up on this season before it even starts and just settling everything down without wasting money, that's not going to inspire me to go and watch until we start trying again.

Psychologically I'm thinking that a new Bradford team is starting in CH1 in 2018 which is great news. Apparently in 2017 they are going to play a few friendlies.

Would you though? because, they can't actually do tht. There have to be games, so there has to be a team, and every week it plays.
we don't have, and won't have, a team. Let's start with that. How can anything "settle down" when the basic thing required for a rugby league club - a team of some sort - doesn't and won't exist

I am really struggling to see what the new onwers and the RFL are thinking of.

Sums up my thoughts exactly. Much as I admire the devotion of the "I'll be there come what may" brigade, I strongly object to being taken wholly for granted by the RFL who think we'll turn up regardless of how much sh*t they throw at us.
Has anyone started a "boycott Blackpool" campaign yet? Although HKR will take plenty this year, it would be a damp squib without the Bulls fans.

To clarify, I don't expect whatever squad is assembled to just roll over and die. I'm sure the right noises will be made about how it's backs to the walls and we can do it. Although I also wouldn't be surprised if in the background they're thinking "let's not spend too much this season, let's just use this as a practice run to get to know companies, staff and players ready for an assault on League 1 next season". I WOULD understand that thinking behind closed doors. It just doesn't bring fans in, but as I say, there's no way they'll state that in public anyway.

Pumpetypump is right. It does/would have the feeling of this season being a trial run for essentially a fresh start in League 1 next season.

It’ll soon become pretty obvious whether or not we’re planning to make a serious attempt at staying up or whether we’re just going to be “marking time” until relegation. I think we’re all knowledgeable enough to tell what the plan is when we see a squad of players announced.